Even in 2020, the film industry is missing the mark on gender representation behind the camera. Cinesisters is a collective of over 150 female directors making award-winning films and TV, sharing experiences and resources in order to create more films by and about women. Cinesisters presents a programme of short films that have transformed the careers of just a handful of exceptional female filmmakers. These career-defining projects led to agent representation, feature funding and exciting new opportunities.

ALICE (Dir. Laura Scrivano, 2017, Australia/USA, 8 mins)

Locked in an austere country house, headstrong and spirited, Alice yearns for the freedom of the forest. But it is more than just her desire that is awakened. Based on Noel Coward’s poetry.

CONSTELLATIONS (Dir. Anna Maguire, 2018, UK/Canada, 18 mins)

As a young woman realises her sexual needs have grown beyond her relationship with her boyfriend, a chance encounter allows her to take control of her fantasies and find something new. Content warning: contains scenes of a sexual nature and frank sexual language (recommended 15+).

ONLY THE LONELY (Dir. Clare Holman, 2018, UK, 18 mins)

When Elspeth Morris loses her beloved husband George, life becomes intolerable. She is increasingly surrounded by people she has nothing in common with and feels utterly abandoned.

THE ARRIVAL (Dir. Annetta Laufer, 2018, UK, 18 mins, Subtitled)

It’s 6 August, 1962 – Jamaican Independence Day. Daisy, a young Jamaican arrives to the “Mother Country” of Britain to start a new life with her husband, whom she has not seen for two years.

SPINOSAURUS (Dir. Tessa Hoffe, 2017, UK, 14 mins)

A young girl cares for her younger brother at home, whilst they both anxiously await their mother’s return. What happens when children are left to fend for themselves and each other?

WHAT HAPPENED TO EVIE (Dir. Kate Cheeseman, 2018, UK, 11 mins)

A schoolgirl’s splintered memories of sexual assault come to the surface. The truth is reconsidered in What Happened to Evie. An alternative perspective reveals a very different run of events. Content warning: contains scenes of sexual assault (recommended 15+).

This programme was originally created for the 2020 Aesthetica Short Film Festival. Total running time: 1 hr 30 mins.