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Backed by BFI - Shorts
Skill and vision fuel the best short films, as these early experiments from revered directors illustrate.
Short films are at the heart of new British Cinema. It's in short filmmaking that countless emerging talents find their voice, and where a new generation of storytellers challenge and entertain in original ways. Among today's shorts filmmakers are the feature giants of tomorrow. The BFI has proudly backed many great shorts over the years and here you can find some of the most beautiful, fun and daring. From Stephen Frears' 1967 film debut to Terence Davies' remarkable trilogy and on to the 1990s 'New Directors', 21st century digital pioneers and beyond, the Shorts collection shows filmmakers at their experimental and innovative best.
This collection also includes films supported through the BFI Production Board which predated the introduction of the National Lottery.
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Drama 2011 8 mins Director: Douglas Hart
Our parents always told us 'never talk to strangers'. But, surely, we all have to phone home sometimes? Award-winning short film starring Peter Mullan.
All Consuming Love All Consuming Love
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2011 9 mins Director: Louis Hudson
Kevin Eldon voices this oddball, award-winning animated short about a tiny middle-aged man who lives inside a stray cat.
The Chocolate Acrobat The Chocolate Acrobat
Fantasy 1995 38 mins Director: Tessa Sheridan
An elderly woman in a care home strikes up a sensual, nostalgic relationship with a young nurse.
A Family Portrait A Family Portrait
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2009 5 mins Director: Joseph Pierce
A family struggle to mask underlying resentments in this darkly funny animation from Joseph Pierce.
You're Human Like the Rest of Them You're Human Like the Rest of Them
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1967 17 mins Director: B.S. Johnson
William Hoyland stars in this legendary, multi award-winning short film directed by the modernist writer and film-maker BS Johnson.
Kill the Day Kill the Day
Drama 2000 18 mins Director: Lynne Ramsay
An ex-drug addict reflects on life in and out of prison in this short by BAFTA-winner Lynne Ramsay, based on real accounts.
Rose Red Rose Red
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1994 19 mins Director: Simon Pummell
Simon Pummell's (Bodysong) visually ravishing sci-fi thriller exploring the future of virtual reality and the desire to transcend human limits.
The Burning The Burning
Drama 1967 31 mins Director: Stephen Frears
A white woman and her young grandson come face to face with a black uprising in Apartheid South Africa, in a tough short film by Stephen Frears.
Anthony Anthony
Comedy 2013 15 mins Director: J. van Tulleken
Tim Key stars stars as a surly and self-centred Santa in this pitch-black Christmas comedy.
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