SHORTS is a short film festival we organised for the first time in 2016 in collaboration with Pretend Lovers. The films shown include a curated selection of open-call submissions, opened on 16.06.16 and closed on 10.09.16. There were no restrictions around theme or subject and all films under 16 minutes were considered. With 2300+ entries, we had an impressive choice from 96 countries around the world. To submit your film, keep an eye on Film Freeway here: filmfreeway.com/festival/shortsgdfs On the night we celebrated filmmakers and artists with an eclectic mix of narrative, animation and documentary films. Full running order below. Crocodile - Matt Harris-Freeth A cautionary tale about a boy, Harry and his life-changing encounter with a vagrant puppet crocodile. (3:46) United Kingdom Trial & Error - Antje Heyn A film about a lost shirt button, perfectionist aunts, busy cats, startled parrots – and a long-lost friend. (5:27) Germany ZAP - Flow Rah A film that aims to describe the negative impact of television on our social, mental, emotional and physical health. (2:44) Israel The Other Place - Mareike Engelhardt While talking to herself in front of her mirror an elderly hair dresser drifts deeper and deeper into her phantasies, memories and regrets. (11:30) France Still Life - Mehdi Shiri Any good that has to do something with your life has a story of you inside of it, maybe a short memory? (4:01) Iran Terminally Happy - Adina Istrate Journey into the subconscious of Dr. Louis W, a neuroscientist on the brink of an unprecedented medical breakthrough. (13:16) United Kingdom The Launderette - Robert Telezynski When you have to wash your dirty linen in public, secrets, hopes, desires and disappointments are much easier to air. (9:33) United Kingdom There Again - Vera Babida The film shows a young girl living in a repetitive cycle of modern dating, in which she hopes to break. (3:32) United Kingdom Death & Baguettes - Alexander D Holland A super-short film about death and baguettes. (0:30) United Kingdom Ovoo - Louis, Allen, Thomas, Mingoti, Poague These poor little eggs! Facing their fatal blow and back to the slaughter line go! (3:22) Brazil Muscle Face-DJ Remix - Conor Reed An anxious man faces off against a dysfunctional car stereo system. (0:43) United States The Ostrich - Neil Rolland A reaction to Brexit. (0:16) United Kingdom Valentines Day - Roberto Burd On the evening of Valentine’s Day, Celina summons a young call girl with the same physical characteristics that defined her decades ago. (8:40) Brazil Work Like Dogs - Adam Morton-Delaney Rob, a demolition worker who lives on site in central London, 24 hours a day. (3:00) United Kingdom Hard Lines - Manfred Rainer A porn movie that satisfies feminist, queer and heterosexual desires without repeating common clichés while being fair trade - without underpaid protagonists with huge breasts, french manicure and brazilian waxing. Do try this at home! (2:00) Austria The Life Size Zoetrope - Mark Simon Hewis One man’s life told inside a giant human sized zeotrope. (6:48) United Kingdom Pretend Lovers: pretendlovers.co Photographs: stephen-hughes.com SHORTS Facebook: facebook.com/shortsfilmfest Submit to SHORTS: filmfreeway.com/festival/shortsgdfs