Nottingham Film Festival First Time Filmmakers & Student Shorts - Young Hearts, Run Free

• 120mins |

All of the greats started out with a truly special short film, this session honours the next generation of filmmakers by sharing their fresh visions on today's world. From a beautiful and poetic portrait of unrequited love, to a beekeeper navigating the challenges of neurodiversity, there’s even a man who can control Pigeons, this session nearly has it all, celebrating unique view points on the human condition. This selection of shorts are fresh, exciting, and demonstrate truly great things to come from these filmmakers.

Individual Film Information & Running Order -

Pigeonman - UK - 13:44 mins

Directed By - Arvel

Midlands Premiere - A director plans to make a viral video in order to get famous. Alongside his assistant, Pepsi, the two attempt to film a local man who thinks he can control birds. Pigeonman doesn't think he can control birds. He knows it. As time progresses and the director's nasty true intentions show, Pepsi begins to have a change of heart, eventually joining Pigeonman in his strange hobby.

Ubiquitous - UK - 7:04 mins

Directed By - Masha Maroutitch

A young man is forced to confront feelings of self-rejection and isolation as he struggles to express his love for his best friend. ‘UBIQUITOUS’ is a short film that blends music, visual poetry and an emotionally grounded performance to tell the story of a young man battling with internalised homophobia and unrequited love.

Mistig - Netherlands - 14:41 mins

Directed by - Sterre ter Haar, Rik America

A short drama film about a young woman who must find a way to accept her loneliness in order to feel connected to the world.

Handle With Care - UK - 8:21 mins

Directed By - Dylan Blore

Josh finds himself struggling with his mental health. He's trapped in a broken healthcare system, desperate for help from an under-resourced Doctor, struggling with their own empathy fatigue.

Ambrose Finch - UK - 12:27 mins

Directed By - Dunyasha Althaus

Thirty years after the death of her infant son, Agnes Ambrose invites her two estranged children, John and Giselle, to share a final meal. Over the course of the evening, she reveals her decision to end her life.

Walter - USA - 11:57 mins

Directed By - Julie Restivo

UK Premiere - A ten-year-old boy insists his red plastic bucket contains his pet wave.

Goodbye For Now - UK - 12:56 mins

Directed By - Olivia Jessica Burns

On a crisp autumn afternoon, two best friends embark on a walk through the countryside, engaging in their usual playful banter and deep conversations about love, life, and the uncertainty of the future.

Gumball - UK - 4:00 mins

Directed by James Murray

While down at the seaside, a father attempts to build the beginnings of a new relationship with his son.

Ronzio - Italy - 11:38 mins

Alma is in her twenties and has ADHD. Among hives she feels perfectly comfortable as she learnt to manage her neurodiversity in that situation over the years.