There is much to be said for our strange little island and this mixture of documentary, fiction and self-help shorts will provide a window into the lives of some quintessential characters and stories. Sit back and think of England.
MAJORITY
UK
Written & Directed by Tessa Hoffe
Produced by Lauren Parker
Language: English
Duration: 15 mins
Fiction // Drama
A single mother and immigrant, Sonia works in sheltered accommodation. When a resident makes an official complaint against her, she must continue to face each one of them without bias.
Twitter: @TessaHoffe
Website: tessahoffe.com
Twitter: @KatoPictures
Website: katopictures.com
MANDEM
UK
Written & Directed by John Ogunmuyiwa
Produced by Emily Everdee
Language: English
Duration: 10 mins
Fiction // Queer
A job is just a job, but as with anything, time flies when you’re doing it with your best friend. And today’s no different. We follow Ty & Malcolm as they go about their daily routine. Just another day for two really good friends conducting business as usual.
Twitter: @johnogunz
Twitter: @EmilyEverdee
MUSHY PEAS TO GREEN TEA KULFI
UK
Directed & Produced by Thea Burrows
Written by Michael Forrest
Language: English
Duration: 14 mins
Documentary // Yorkshire
The reflections of Clive Backhouse, a 60-year-old true working-class Northerner using the emotional anchor of one building.
PERFECTIONARY
UK
Directed & Produced by Chris Boyd
Language: English
Duration: 8 mins
Documentary // Yorkshire
This short documentary captures the unique energy and rhythms of the primal, unseen and claustrophobic world of a Sheffield institution, one that exists in the twilight shadows, and the family unit that strives at its centre.
Twitter: @ichrisboyd
STITCH
UK
Directed by George Martyn
Produced by Rosie Smith
Language: English
Duration: 12 mins
Documentary
This hybrid documentary/music video follows Josh, aka Stitch, a former drug dealer trying to turn his life around after an incident in a park resulted in him being wrongfully held in prison. He is now starting up a grime career and trying to put his past behind him.
THE LONG GOODBYE
UK
Directed by Aneil Karia
Written by Aneil Karia & Riz Ahmed
Produced by Tom Gardner
Language: English
Duration: 13 mins
Fiction // Drama
A sobering and powerful watch, The Long Goodbye imagines a dystopian near future and sees Riz Ahmed unpack his feelings towards his country.
The Long Goodbye was winner of the BIFA 2020 Best Short Film.
Twitter: @rizwanahmed
Twitter: @somesuchandco
Website: aneilkaria.com
THE SAW MAKERS
UK
Directed by Jacob Hesmondhalgh
Produced by Jacob Hesmondhalgh & Honey Scott
Language: English
Duration: 17 mins
Documentary // Yorkshire
Saw Making is a critically endangered craft, with Shane and Jaq Skelton the UK’s only bespoke saw makers, crafting perhaps the finest hand saws in the world. As Shane and Jaq struggle to keep the craft alive, this intimate film follows the making of their new Chippendale inspired saw, while illustrating the passion that woodwork and making can have to individuals as they battle life-threatening illnesses.
Instagram: @jacobhez
Instagram: @honey_bee_pictures_ltd_1
USING CORRUGATED BITUMEN SHEETS TO REROOF A GARDEN SHED
UK
Directed & Produced by Paul Welton
Language: English
Duration: 10 mins
Documentary
One man’s struggle to reroof his shed and share his journey with the world.
“When my shed roof needed re-roofing, I used a product that I, and I suspect many people are unfamiliar with. This video follows the complete process and enables the viewer to see what it is like to the saw these sheets to size and nail them on, and complete the job with the flashing or verge strips that finish off the edges.”
Website: videofoundry.net