British Shorts Film Festival – Documentary Specials at Sputnik Kino

In the organizer's words:

In its 18-year history, the British Shorts Film Festival has always placed a special focus on documentaries. The 2025 edition once again presents four very special screenings of exciting, entertaining and visionary short documentaries from the UK, Ireland - and many other corners of the world. International award-winning works that tell relevant stories and shake up the genre with influences from drama, animation and experimental film!

Three documentary specials will take place at Sputnik Cinema:

Fri 24.01.2025 - 18:00 / Sputnik Cinema
https://www.britishshorts.de/programm?id=1824083578214770037

Recomposing Earth (Documentary), dir.: Christian Cargill, 27:30 min.
In a unique attempt to collaborate with nature, Scottish composer Erland Cooper has buried the only recording of his new and unheard album.

This Werewolf Complex (Documentary, Experimental), dir.: Heather Andrews, 15:20 min.
Experimental documentary about seizures in certain parts of the brain that lead to sensory, physical and emotional disturbances.

The Ban (Documentary), dir.: Roisin Agnew, 27:00 min.
During the Northern Ireland conflict, actors were hired to dub people associated with the IRA on television. Production note: This is a film from the North of Ireland and its identity as a British film is therefore disputed.

Joe Armon-Jones & Hak Baker: Wrong Side of Town (Music Video), R.: Broken Antenna, 04:00 min.
Music video with documentary material on topics such as gentrification and housing policy and with music by Joe Armon-Jones and Hak Baker.

I'm Doing My Best (Documentary), dir.: Rosie Baldwin, 07:24 min.
An amateur portrait artist from Berlin offers free drawings to people on the streets of Sheffield and gets into conversation with them.

Sat 25.01.2025 - 17:00 / Sputnik Cinema
https://www.britishshorts.de/programm?id=1824083578214770043

A Dog Called Discord (Experimental), dir.: Mark Jenkin, 23:00 min.
Mark Jenkin (BAFTA winner with "Bait") explores his fascination with the magic of film and its inspirational power.

We Did Not Consent (Documentary), dir.: Dorothy Allen-Pickard, 18:27 min.
For years, a London police unit infiltrated local activist groups and became romantically involved with targets. Now three women recap their stories to understand what happened.

Travelling Home (Documentary), dir.: Juliet Klottrup, 05:58 min.
Joe Cannon senior, a traveler and retired blacksmith, reflects on his cultural heritage and makes his way to the Appleby Fair in Cumbria, Great Britain, as he does every year.

A Move (Documentary), dir.: Elahe Esmaili, 26:37 min.
Elahe returns to her Iranian hometown to help her parents move house. Influenced by the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, she hopes for changes that go beyond a change of residence.

Farm Days (Documentary), dir.: Louisa Rechenbach, 04:03 min.
A day in the life of Claire and her twelve alpacas in the woods of Sheffield, Great Britain.

Departing (Experimental, Documentary, Animation), dir.: Mary Martins, 07:14 min.
Collage-like experimental film about migration, forced relocation and deportation.

#Power (Animation), dir.: Kim Noce, 01:30 min.
Short animation about metaphorical studies on the topic of power.

Tue 28.01.2025 - 19:00 / Sputnik Cinema
https://www.britishshorts.de/programm?id=1824083578214770056

No Way Back (Documentary), dir.: Tom Turner, 14:51 min.
After a year as a volunteer soldier for Ukraine, Fraser is back in Edinburgh. Now he has to decide whether he wants to stay there or go back to the front.

The Legend of the Dun Cow (Documentary), dir.: Colm Higgins, 18:26 min.
The example of butter production shows how changes in agriculture have shaped Irish consciousness.

Plunge (Documentary, Animation), dir.: Ellie Land, 07:55 min.
The story of a woman whose immersion in the sea helped her regain control of her life.

Autism Plays Itself (Documentary, Experimental), D.: Janet Harbord, 18:07 min.
Footage from a London hospital in 1957 shows the behavior of children who were observed for atypical behavior. Today, three autistic subjects watch these scenes and provide new interpretations.

Midnight Rising (Documentary), dir.: Aileen Ye, 08:06 min.
An intimate portrait of the East and Southeast Asian rave community in London.

Previs (Documentary), dir.: Ruaidhri ryan, 21:19 min.
An ode to the drawn reality behind Hollywood's film industry.

British Shorts Film Festival, 23.-29.1.2025 at Sputnik Kino, City Kino Wedding, Acudkino, Kino Intimes, Klick Kino and Xenon Kino. Festival program: www.britishshorts.de