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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.

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All Consuming LoveAll Consuming Love

Animation & Artists Moving Image20119 minsDirector: Louis Hudson

Kevin Eldon voices this oddball, award-winning animated short about a tiny middle-aged man who lives inside a stray cat.

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BabyBaby

Drama200012 minsDirector: Wiz

A teenager (Ben Whishaw) pays a sexually charged visit to the swimming pool.

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... Long Distance Information... Long Distance Information

Drama20118 minsDirector: 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.

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The Chocolate AcrobatThe Chocolate Acrobat

Fantasy199538 minsDirector: Tessa Sheridan

An elderly woman in a care home strikes up a sensual, nostalgic relationship with a young nurse.

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A Family PortraitA Family Portrait

Animation & Artists Moving Image20095 minsDirector: Joseph Pierce

A family struggle to mask underlying resentments in this darkly funny animation from Joseph Pierce.

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You're Human Like the Rest of ThemYou're Human Like the Rest of Them

Animation & Artists Moving Image196717 minsDirector: B.S. Johnson

William Hoyland stars in this legendary, multi award-winning short film directed by the modernist writer and film-maker BS Johnson.

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Kill the DayKill the Day

Drama200018 minsDirector: 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.

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Rose RedRose Red

Animation & Artists Moving Image199419 minsDirector: Simon Pummell

Simon Pummell's (Bodysong) visually ravishing sci-fi thriller exploring the future of virtual reality and the desire to transcend human limits.

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The BurningThe Burning

Drama196731 minsDirector: 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.

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AnthonyAnthony

Comedy201315 minsDirector: J. van Tulleken

Tim Key stars stars as a surly and self-centred Santa in this pitch-black Christmas comedy.

More Backed by BFI: Shorts in our Free collection.

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