David Farnor | On 23, Jan 2021

The 2021 BFI Future Film Festival will be taking place virtually this year, with a four-day event that will feature 45 short films.

Now in its 14th year, the festival is dedicated to showcasing work by young filmmakers aged 16 to 25. This year’s collection tackle a broad range of subjects, from race, disability and sexuality to friendship and fandom, as well as some nods to the coronavirus pandemic. Running film 18th to 12th February, the festival will release all of its films online for free, streaming on BFI Player and geolocked to the UK.

A number of the films are competing in the BFI Future Film Festival Awards, with 3 of the 10 awards judged by a jury that includes Elizabeth Karlsen (Number 9 Films), Waad Al-Kateab (For Sama), Reggie Yates (Make Me Famous, BBC Three’s Extreme), Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People) and Malachi Kirby (Mangrove). Across 10 categories, the nominees will be in the running for prize money totalling more than £10,000, plus further mentorships from industry leaders. The winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on 21st February.

A string of additional online events, including masterclasses to encourage and support young filmmakers, will also run through the four days, with most talks taking place via Zoom and available to register for via Eventbrite (see the official website here to book tickets). There are also three daily “Hot Spots” interviews available for free on YouTube at 6pm.

Here’s the line-up, including the awards contenders:

The Films

Best Director

BULLDOG (Kieran Stringfellow, 2020, UK)

A beautifully executed film that follows a rough sleeper who has a score to settle after spending the night in a cell (also nominated for Best Film).

DAMN HOBO! (Luis Gerardo LoGar, 2020, Mexico)

An ethereal film depicting a homeless man getting lost in Mexico City, with music as his only guide; nominated for four awards in total it is also in the running for Best Experimental Film, Best International Film and Best Writer.

INSTRUCTIONS TO LET GO (Gustavo Gamero, 2019, Mexico)

When Daphne and Mafer meet at a hotel, they quickly become something more than friends. Nominated for Best Director and Best International Film

THE ROSE OF MANILA (Alex Westfall, 2020, Philippines, USA)

The film, which is nominated for Best Director, Best Experimental Film and Best International Film, depicts a formative moment in the life of young Imelda Marcos.

Best Film

BULLDOG (Kieran Stringfellow, 2020, UK)

DOUBLE HAPPINESS (Scarlett Li, 2020, China, USA)

A funny and original piece that questions whether a traditional Chinese wedding makes parents regress to their most childish selves; also up for Best International Film and Best Writer.

MEOW OR NEVER (Neeraja Raj, 2020, UK)

This brilliantly madcap animated musical which is also nominated for Best Animation and Best Writer, stars a ‘cat’-stronaut who travels the galaxy looking for the meaning of life, along the way encountering a space pup eager to help.

LOCO (2020, UK)

Rory Wilson?s powerful short follows a train driver who is left traumatised after an incident on the tracks.

Best New Talent

CRISPY LOVE-LINE (Stefania Bodescu, 2020, UK)

A young man with a deep passion for crisps leaves a comment online, kicking off a one-sided, virtual love story.
Also nominated for Best Animation and Best Micro Short.

Chloe May Law?s HEARTTHROB (2020, UK)

A timely short about a teenage girl who has to face the true nature of her favourite musician when allegations against him come to light (also nominated for Best Writer).

MUSIC FOR THE END OF THE WORLD (Emmanuel Li, 2020, UK)

Would the apocalypse really be all that bad? Teenage Freddie certainly doesn’t seem to think so, as he boogies his troubles away on a gorgeous sunny hill.

In YANDASS.MOV (Sam Arbor, 2019, UK)

Yandass just wants to dance; when something gets in the way, she is plunged into a scary world where her passion takes over (also nominated for Best Experimental Film).

Best Documentary

AS FAR AS OUR EYES CAN SEE (Lilly Zhuang, 2019, UK, USA)

A visual diary written by five hands instead of one ? an attempt to snatch the eternal out of the ever-fleeting flow of time.

DISJOINTED (Clara Helbig, 2020, UK, Germany)

Two men share their experiences of working in the food industrial complex.

FACES (Patrick Taylor, 2020, UK)

A group of young people discuss the joys and challenges of being mixed race.

JUDE (Amos Menin, 2020, UK)

A powerful film in which the filmmaker’s grandfather recounts how he lost everything as a child escaping the holocaust.

LIFE IS A HIGHWAY (Neelakshi Yadav, 2020, India)

This documentary follows the rickshaw drivers of New Delhi, as they talk about the economic struggles, stigmas and socio-political issues that impact their livelihoods. Also nominated for Best International Film.

Best Animation

BURN & SOOTHE (Shiyi Li, 2019, UK)

A woman reflects on a past love story while she is driving at sunset.

CRISPY LOVE-LINE (Stefania Bodescu, 2020, UK)

EARLY GRIEF SPECIAL (Jessica Chowdhury, 2020, UK)

A greasy spoon diner is the only place in London where people are allowed to grieve in this stop-motion short.

MEOW OR NEVER (Neeraja Raj, 2020, UK)

OVERLOAD (Joe Blandamer, 2019, UK)

This claymation film illuminates the audience on the struggles of a train journey for someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

THE QUIET (Radheya Jegatheva, 2019, Australia)

When an astronaut ponders the silence of space, he comes upon a startling self-realisation. Also nominated for Best International Film.

THE TALE OF EDGAR HARE (Hannah Miller, Abigail Lindon, Hana Bhatti, UK, 2020)

A twist on Edgar Allan Poe’s literary classic The Tell Tale Heart. Also nominated for Best Micro Short.

Best Experimental Film

BURN THE WITCH (Matty Crawford, 2020, UK)
Two villagers hide inside a well to escape an angry mob.

DAMN HOBO! (Luis Gerardo LoGar, 2020, Mexico)

DUDU (Simisolaoluwa Akande, 2018, UK)

A beautifully lyrical exploration of the issue of colourism and its effects on self-identity through spoken word poetry coupled with evocative images.

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF (Elsa Hunter-Weston, 2020, UK)

Explores the difficulties facing a young person on the cusp of adulthood as they wrestle with their own identity.

THE ROSE OF MANILA (Alex Westfall, 2020, Philippines, USA)

YANDASS.MOV (Dir. Sam Arbor)

Best Micro Short

BREATH (Aneta Siurnicka, 2019, Poland)

Questions whether breath is a moment of respite or agitation. Should we let the mind be free or fight with our thoughts? Also nominated for Best International Film.

CRISPY LOVE-LINE (Stefania Bodescu, 2020, UK)

EDIE + ELIN’S MAGIC SHOW (Edie Morris, 2020, UK)

A micro magic show is created from home to bring joy during the Covid-19 lockdown.

FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE (Caleb J. Roberts, 2020, UK)

A moving depiction of the daily social struggles which dominate the life of a young, transgender man.

MIND(FULL) (Tilly Wallace, 2019, UK)

An experimental pastel-animated short which explores how meditation can take the mind from a state of chaos to calmness.

THE TALE OF EDGAR HARE (Hannah Miller, Abigail Lindon, Hana Bhatti, UK, 2020)

Best International Film

BREATH (Aneta Siurnicka, 2019, Poland)

DAMN HOBO! (Luis Gerardo LoGar, 2020, Mexico)

DOUBLE HAPPINESS (Scarlett Li, 2020, China, USA)

HEARTBREAKER (Aidan Cheeatow, 2020, Canada)

A young mother struggles to cope with losing custody of her baby girl.

INSTRUCTIONS TO LET GO (Gustavo Gamero, 2019, Mexico)

LIFE IS A HIGHWAY (Neelakshi Yadav, 2020, India)

MARGINAL: SHORT VERSION (Kota Nakamura, 2020, Japan)

An experimental film featuring young actors as they rehearse for a film about a deteriorating relationship, starring real-life ex-lovers.

THE QUIET (Radheya Jegatheva, 2019, Australia)

THE ROSE OF MANILA (Alex Westfall, 2020, Philippines, USA)

WASTOPIA (Qianhui Yu, 2020, China)

An otherworldly place is inhibited by strange creatures and the products of what humans discard.

Best Writer

DAMN HOBO! (Luis Gerardo LoGar, 2020, Mexico)

DOUBLE HAPPINESS (Scarlett Li, 2020, China, USA)

HEARTTHROB (Chloe Law, 2020, UK)

THE MASSIVE F*CKING BENDER (Laura Marcus, 2020, UK)

When the future rocks up at your front door and punches you in the face, there’s only one thing to do…

MEOW OR NEVER (Neeraja Raj, 2020, UK)

In SKELETONS (Will Peppercorn, 2019, UK)

Out of competition

ALMOST BLUE (Oscar Simmons, 2020, UK)

A first-time sex worker and a first-time client have a unique encounter.

AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD (Hannah Schierbeek, 2020, USA)

A ballet teacher’s fears start manifesting in dreams and reality after being followed on her way home from work. To cope, she confides in her neighbour.

DUNGAREES (Abel Rubinstein, 2020, UK)

A young queer couple in love explore their gender expression on an average day.

EYELASH (Jesse Lewis Reece, 2020, UK)

A moving adaptation of spoken word poet Neil Hilborn’s beloved poem “OCD”.

GIRLS & THE PARTY (Paloma L?pez, 2020, USA)

While preparing for a party in a cramped bathroom, Mercedes navigates her blossoming desires.

GIRLS’ NIGHT (Ismay Bickerton, 2020, UK)

Four girls prepare for a night out, touching on vital topics like moustache politics and Yoga with Adrienne, in this short animated comedy.

HARD AS NAILS (Tomos James, 2019, UK)

Set in small-town North Wales, 18-year-old Dewi, armed with a fresh coat of nail varnish, arrives at rugby training only to be met with resistance from his team.

HOVERING BETWEEN US (Miles Blacket, 2019, UK)

Over the span of a single night, the difference between online and real life relationships is revealed through a complex connection between two people.

IN THE GARDEN (India-In?s Levy, 2019, UK)

A glimpse into the last day of summer for Frederick and Clementine, two young aristocrats, who talk beneath an old oak tree.

In PRINCESS (Edem Kelman, 2020, UK)

A troubled mother takes her daughter out for the day; unable to financially provide for her princess, she resorts to petty theft.

SUNNY (Sky Yang, Benjamin Bainbridge, 2020, UK)

As the titular Chinese boy moves from childhood to adolescence, he finds himself lost in a world that tells him he should hate where he comes from.

THE MODERATOR (Elliot Gaynon, 2020, UK)

Traumatised by the violent videos he views each day, a content moderator is forced to hide his deteriorating psyche from a company-appointed counsellor.

 

Free Industry Events

Thursday 18th February

Preparing for your first on-set role with Film Academy
4pm

Blackmagic Design Lunchtime Lives
1.30pm

Friday 19th February

Archive fever: unlocking the storytelling potential of film archives
12pm

How to be a successful freelancer in the screen industries
2pm

Calling all directors: let’s talk about production company representation vs working independently
4pm

Blackmagic Design Lunchtime Lives
1.30pm

Saturday 20th February

ScreenSkills’ guide to post-production and VFX
12pm

Shooting on film: what you need to know
2pm

Blink x BlinkInk presents: The making of 45 minutes of visual content for Dua Lipa’s 2020 remix album of Future Nostalgia
4pm

Blackmagic Design Lunchtime Lives
1.30pm

Sunday 21st February

Blackmagic Design presents: Introduction to editing with DaVinci Resolve
10am

How to pitch your ideas for television
12pm

Writing for comedy with Hannah George
2pm

LUX Artists presents: Demystifying the role of the art department in a film crew
4pm

Film Academy Young Programmers present: Let’s talk about sex, baby!
6pm

Blackmagic Design Lunchtime Lives
1.30pm

 

Hot Spots

Remi Weekes (Thursday 18th February, 6pm)

Phil Clarke (Friday 19th February, 6pm)

Maria Bakalova (Saturday 20th February, 6pm)

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