Directors Notes // The Home of Independent Filmmaking

Of Fertility, Historical Disasters and Pigeons: 10 Memorable Favourites Screening at HollyShorts UK 2026

DN selects 10 films that stood out at the third edition of HollyShorts UK, offering a snapshot of contemporary short British and international filmmaking.

Live Action, Premiere

When Distress Is Mistaken for Defiance. ‘Unauthorised Absence’ Exposes an Education System That Fails Families

Why fiction, not documentary? Georgia Parris & Natalie Lauren on making us feel how school fines punish, isolate and push struggling families to collapse.

Live Action

A Pop-Up Techno Club Draws Two Lonely Lives into Quiet Orbit in Yassmina Karajah’s Nocturnal Short ‘Ambush’

Yassmina Karajah unpacks the instinctual performances, voyeuristic visuals and immersive soundscape behind her unconventional love letter to her home city.

Live Action

Memories of a Hunting Trip Lead Lucas Parra to Explore the “Nuances of Masculinity” in Thriller ‘Ser un Hombre’

Rooted in real world hunting culture, Lucas Parra explores the tensions of masculinity and tradition in his unflinching Spanish coming of age thriller.

Live Action, Premiere

What’s the Worst That Could Happen? Kendall Goldberg Finds Out in Her Hellish Birthday Party Comedy ‘Surprise’

Kendall Goldberg's social anxiety comedy magnifies the fears of every introvert who's ever accepted an invitation to a party with people they don't know.

Live Action, Premiere

Sami Abusamra’s Soviet-Era Short ‘Tank’ Fires a Dry Comic Warning Shot About Weak Men Masquerading as Strong Ones

Shot in rural Bulgaria on black and white SD with a real tank, Sami Abusamra’s satirical adaptation asks what happens when power lands in the wrong lap.

Live Action

We’re All Clowns Dancing Through Capitalism in Zen Pace’s Gig Economy Horror Comedy ‘Are You Fucking Kidding Me?!’

A clown’s latest kids' party gig takes a sinister turn in Zen Pace’s queer horror comedy, where camp and social critique collide.

Live Action, Premiere

“No script. No money. No locations” – How Industry Frustrations Shaped Jared Hogan’s Latest Short ‘Dogbite’

Shot over 4 days with no script, director Jared Hogan joins us to discuss the instinctual process behind creating short film, 'Dogbite'.

Film Festival, Sponsored

11 Gems From Conero Film + ADV 2026 to Look Out For

Conero Film + ADV’s Pianeta Fresco is full of short films that surprise. DN picks 11 must-watch titles from the 4th edition of this mighty event in Ancona.