We are delighted to welcome Simon Ellis to the festival for this special programme followed by a Masterclass on Sunday 24 May at 1.30pm. Simon’s short film awards have included the International Jury Prize at Sundance, Best Short Film at the BIFAs, plus BAFTA and European Academy Award nominations. Working in fiction, animation, hybrid documentary and interactive, his work has been presented collaboratively in retrospective shows at many international film festivals.
This is a great opportunity to meet one of the great innovators of the short film form in person and see this collection of films on the big screen.
Telling Lies / 2001 / 4 mins
The morning after the night before, a rapid spiral of disastrous telephone calls charts the certain ruin of a young Phil’s day.
What About The Bodies / 2022 / 7 mins
Mystery and misfortune, in spades. On television, everyone can hear you scream.
Soft / 2007 / 14 mins
A father rediscovers his fear of confrontation at the worst possible time. Winner of Sundance International Jury Prize. Nominated for BAFTA Best Live Action Short and the European Academy Award for Best Short Film.
Jam Today / 2011 / 14 mins
Impatient to grow and become a man, eleven-year-old Robert is stuck on a boating holiday with only his parents and his curiosity for company.
Stew & Punch / 2013 / 16 mins
A housewarming party with beef stew and much punch spirals out of control.
Ostrich Theory / 2020 / 8 mins
A pre-pandemic meditation on indifference to troubled times, digitally depopulating and re-orchestrating documentary footage frame-by-frame.
The Terminator / 2023 / 3 mins
A boy takes his 2-year-old sister on a tour of the solar system.
Panchiko – Lifestyle Trainers / 2025 / 3 mins
There was much noise on YouTube about ‘The Most Mysterious Album on the Internet’ after a CD was purchased in a UK charity shop and someone turned detective trying to discover its origins.
Sunday 24 May – 1.30pm
Simon will be ‘in conversation’ with Steve Carter. A great opportunity to hear more about his life as a working director. Admission is free but please sign up in advance from the link on our website.
