Ball-Pit. Wednesday. Lemonade. (Dir: Daniel Howard-Baker)

A boy finds solace in a ball pit, at a soft play enclosure, until he is sucked down into an alternate dimension and greets his older self.

Fragments of Self (Dir: Nancy Chamberlain)

Having driven herself into a cave of aloneness, a late teen struggles to realise the importance of people in comparison to her studies.

Novem (Dir: Srusti Mangaraj)

This film examines modern-day emotions based on the ‘Navarasa’ (nine perfect human emotions) mentioned in the Natyashastra (a record of Indian performing arts).  

Frominside (Dir: Harry Bayley)

A four-minute video art piece following the filmmaker as he leaves his childhood home for the last time.

Sensasi (Dir: Weng Shan Lim)

An experimental film inspired by abstract filmmakers of the 1930s.

The Table (Dir: Corran Gourlay)

A mysterious table whisks a curious woman away on a journey that blends reality and dreams, taking her where she needs to be.

Sister (Dir: Satie Polidoro-Thursby)

A short experimental poem.

Dealing Business (Dir: Jacob Abban William O’Connor)

A gritty, hard-hitting urban drama shining a light on the underground world of loan sharks.

Language Barrier (Dir: Kate Moody)

Gia navigates a new relationship, whilst dealing with previous unhealed trauma.

Alkis (Dir: Ūla Rubaževičiūtė)

Alkis focuses on the emotional journey a person goes through when trying to understand what it means to feel alienated from their own cultural heritage and find their path back to it.

Every year Cinemagic receive hundreds of entries into CINEMAGIC YOUNG FILMMAKER from young people wishing to share their stories with a wider audience. In 2023 they received over 700 short film submissions from the next generation of young creatives, from throughout the UK and Ireland, and are delighted to share with you the competition shortlists.

Content warning: This package contains flashing images which may affect viewers who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy.

Age Suitability: This shorts package has been given an age recommendation of 15+ due to adult themes and strong language.

Screening as part of the Cinemagic Film Festival. For more information about the festival visit cinemagic.org.uk.