2022 has been a busy year for the BFI NETWORK team at Film Hub Midlands. Over the last twelve months we have seen 24 BFI NETWORK supported shorts being filmed across the Midlands, with more to come at the start of 2023.
We are proud to have been able to support the development and production of these shorts through the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund, made possible with National Lottery funding, and are excited to share them with audiences at screenings and festivals next year.
All made by brilliant filmmakers to watch as their careers grow, with their work ranging from challenging dramas to surreal comedy, but all telling fantastic stories from the Midlands and speak of the growing film industry in the region.
The Films
Barricade
Written and Directed by Alice Johannessen, Produced by Molly Young
After experiencing a traumatic event on her school bus, Aleena bottles up her anger until a chance connection triggers a small act of rebellion.
Blind Spot
Directed by Sophie Webberley, Written by Nathan D’Arcy Roberts, Produced by Joanne Michael
You’re only young once, as a sharp-witted teen Azaria, and her larger-than-life Dad, Paul, are each about to be reminded after an evening driving in his Uber
Burn Out
Written and Directed by Chloe Culpin, Produced by Charlie Beaumont
Heena, desperate to get out of her soul-less job, goes on a mid-week pub session with her co-workers where they all descend into animalistic carnage.
Harm
Written and Directed by Georgie Levers, Produced by Derry Shillito
A serial adulterer who sees women as ‘game’ is outed when a woman he ghosted posts screenshots of their affair on social media.
Home Movie
Written and Directed by Ash Morris, Produced by Andy Paton
You tend to normalise the bad stuff. but it wasn't all that bad
Hope Ain't Right
Written and Directed by Dan Shaw, Produced by Daljinder Johal
A teen cowboy must outwit his estate's cruel gang leader and her lumpish thugs to rescue his one true love; a young astronaut.
Lumbu
Directed by Billy Dosanjh, Written by Mohsen Shah, Produced by Kurban Kassam and Laura Wilkinson
"Lumbu", which means “tall one” in Punjabi, reckons with his father's secrets in a bid to save the family. Set in the Summer of 94, in Sandwell.
Plaggy Bag
Written and Directed by Alex Withers, Produced by Fatosh Olgacher and Mark Campbell-Garrity
Zoe dreads meeting her best mate’s privileged friends but when a single-use plastic bag comes to life, she is forced to face her inner rage.
Rushed
Written and Directed by Nadine O'Mahony, Produced by Arnold Voysey
A chance encounter between a Black woman and a South Asian man in Birmingham forces them to confront life changing events they are desperately trying to escape.
Sandra Gets a New Fringe
Directed by Penelope Yeulet & Mike Beddoes, Written by Penelope Yeulet, Produced by Chloe Culpin
After making the decision to get a new fringe, an office worker attempts to get her dismissive colleagues attention in increasingly bizzare violent ways
Swole
Written and Directed by Ryan Stott, Produced by Christien Bart-Gittens
A man must decide whether to continue on his quest to build a hyper-masculine physique or save his relationship and future.
Witches
Directed by Siobhán Cannon-Brownlie, Written by Phoebe Frances Brown, Siobhán Cannon-Brownlie, Gemma Casely-Kirk, Narisha Lawson, Produced by Chloe Martin
An absurd comedy about three overlooked and under-laid young women, a box of matches and sage