David Farnor | On 01, Feb 2026

BBC Three is shining a spotlight on emerging writers, directors and producers from across the UK with a new collection of short-form dramas.

Launching today on BBC iPlayer, Long Story Short is a group of eclectic and wide-ranging short films that have been written by alumni of BBC Writers talent-development programmes and produced by a variety of independent production companies supported by the BBC’s Small Indie Fund.

The collection of films, which span comedy, drama and the fantastical, reflects the breadth of voices and creative ambition developed through BBC Writers’ UK-wide talent programmes, and which were made with an aim to elevate and enhance the writers existing skillset.

The seven films see the emerging filmmakers offer a distinctive snapshot of contemporary storytelling with young audiences firmly at their heart.

The were made with support from the teams across BBC Drama Commissioning, BBC Three, BBC iPlayer, BBC Scotland, BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Wales, alongside screen agency partners Creative Wales, North East Screen, Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Scotland.

Here’s a trailer, plus a rundown of each short film:

Beyond

* Writer: Alex Mathias
* Director: Martin Thomas
* Cast includes: Tomos Rhys, Leisa Gwenllian, Iwan Rheon
* Production Company: Triongl

A shy teenager tries to fit into his new hometown on the night of their annual paranormal festival but finds himself marked for abduction.

Doppelgänger

* Writer: Alison Carr
* Director: Zak Harney
* Cast includes: Sarah Balfour
* Production Company: Candle & Bell

When ten-year old Josie Johns met her doppelgänger, it kicked off a decade of intense and bitter rivalry. Now an adult, Josie is about to confront her double, settle some scores, and take back control of her identity once and for all.

Jealous People are Ugly People

* Writer and Director: Theo James Krekis
* Cast includes: Loris Scarpa, Emaan Durrani, Zak Wadley
* Production Company: The Fold

Consumed by his jealousy of his best friend’s sudden career success, Vasilly’s resentment festers, feeding a dark, supernatural force within him.

Peak Male Excellence

* Writer: Adam Grant
* Director: Karimah Zakia Issa
* Cast includes: Ali Khan, Shanay Neusum-James
* Production Company: Joi Productions

Desperate to impress his crush, awkward fresher Rohan turns to an online masculinity coach for advice, but his quest for peak male excellence leads him to question if alpha status is all it’s cracked up to be.

Pineapple

* Writer: Rachelle Atalla
* Director: Alia Ghafar
* Cast includes: Harmony-Rose Bremner, Dylan Blore
* Production Company: Barry Crerar

Lonely and disaffected twenty-something Mabel finds connection over a pineapple in the local supermarket.

Privileged

* Writer: Anthony Moriarty
* Director: Naomi Waring
* Cast includes: Sean Landau, Sophie Lenglinger
* Production Company: Out of Orbit

After a raw stand-up set earns aspiring comedian Tony a cancellation from his university’s most powerful influencers, he is faced with a choice; either sanitise his material or find the courage to embrace his voice.

True Love and Wormholes

* Writer: Dave Florez
* Director: Annabel Vine
* Cast includes: Anjana Vasan, Corey Mylchreest
* Production Company: Indefinite Films

Maggie’s from the West Country; Craig’s from the Future. Together they might just save the planet. He’s funny, intense, impossible to resist… but the closer Maggie gets, the more she suspects his story hides something darker. As their bond deepens, the danger escalates, smashing the boundaries between reality and delusion, monotony and wormholes, betrayal and True Love.

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