Being young has its usual problems, but this collection of shorts offers us an insight into the lives of young people whose problems are not always that conventional. Facing the world around them, their circumstances or their communities takes bravery and spirit that only teenagers dare to have.
AN EVERYDAY ACT
UK
Written & Directed by Gavin Scott-Whitfield
Produced by Jennifer Monks
Language: English
Duration: 20 mins
Fiction
With one terrible act, 12-year-old Eric leaves his childhood behind in a bid to help his family survive.
Twitter: @producerjenny
Website: penciltrickproductions.com
BOUNDARY
UK
Written & Directed by Edgar Kyebanakolanga
Produced by Sam Barnett & Edgar Kyebanakolanga
Language: English
Duration: 8 mins
Fiction // Yorkshire
When young Rio falls in love with young Shana they are both faced with cultural and religious boundaries that threaten their relationship.
Facebook: facebook.com/Boundary-Short
Website: hiddenpicturesnorth.com/boundary
BULLDOG
UK
Written & Directed by Kieran Stringfellow
Produced by Tasha Williams
Language: English
Duration: 7 mins
Fiction
After spending the night in a cell, a rough sleeper has a score to settle.
Twitter: @blockbfilms
HAMDA
UAE
Directed & Produced by Ilona Szekeres
Language: English
Duration: 10 mins
Documentary
Formula 1 is one of the few sports in the world that allows women to compete against men. The film follows Hamda, a 17-year-old strong and determined young Emirati Formula 4 race car driver as strives for success.
HOLLIE’S DRESS
CANADA
Directed by Annie Sakkab
Produced by Annie Sakkab & Paul Lee
Language: English
Duration: 25 mins
Documentary
As 14-year-old Hollie sews her first dress with her mother, she faces the decision all Mennonite girls must make as they reach adulthood: Will she put on the dress and become a full member of the Mennonite church, assuming her role as a mother, or will she choose to join the wider world?
Instagram: @anniesakkab
Website: anniesakkab.com/hollies-dress
MERMAID
IRAN
Written, Directed & Produced by Saber Mostafapour
Language: Persian
Duration: 15 mins
Fiction // Queer
Milad has had to escape home and school in order to preserve her identity as a transgirl, but when three of her classmates discover her living amongst ruins, their intentions seek to dehumanise and humiliate her.
Instagram: @agsetfilm
NORTHERN BALLERS
UK
Directed by Rhys Aaron Lewis
Produced by Rebecca Mark-Lawson & Daria Nitsche
Language: English
Duration: 18 mins
Documentary // Yorkshire
All Andy and Ben want to do is play basketball. When they join the under 16s league the boys and their new teammates take on opponents from around Yorkshire, and the challenges of growing up in inner-city Leeds.
Instagram: @rhysaaronlewis
Website: rhysaaronlewis.com
Website: tykefilms.com/work-tyke-films
SABA
IRAN
Written, Directed & Produced by Mohammad Reza Khavari
Language: Persian
Duration: 13 mins
Fiction // Queer
In the course of Iran’s ban on women’s presence in football stadiums, Saba disguises herself as a boy to sneak into the stadium at her father’s suggestion.
Facebook: facebook.com/Saba-short-film
SCRUM
UK
Written & Directed by Kate Graham
Produced by Kate Graham & Margot Douglas
Language: English
Duration: 13 mins
Fiction // Yorkshire
A single mother struggles to come to terms with her teenage daughter’s love of rugby league.
Twitter: @kate_graham_