A Little Burden (2021)

The Mirror/Mirror The

A socially awkward teen gets caught between a changing friendship and a life-altering discovery.

Polaroid

Giuseppe, 33, is still struggling to build his life in a small Italian town where he has to hide his homosexuality. With a Polaroid in hand, he decides to leave for Berlin to find Peter, a summer love he has never forgotten. The shock of a cosmopolitan city is nothing compared to the moment he realizes that the German artist has a "normal" family. For him this represents the possibility of 'losing' himself and meeting Marco, who takes him around all night to arrive at dawn to the conviction that love is the only strength to find one's identity. "Polaroid" is one of five short film segments in an omnibus feature titled "A Quintet".

The Last Ride

Desperate to secure a dowry for his sister's wedding and escape his exploitative boss, Aman – a migrant ride-share driver in Mumbai – decides to steal his boss's taxi. But his plan spirals into a nightmare when his last minute passenger turns out to be a Chudail (a demonic witch).

The Turk Shop

At a creative firm somewhere in Stockholm, there's a short break in a meeting. Cecilia relates an anecdote from a hen party, about a 'Turk kiosk' that turned out to be closed. Asal, relatively new at the workplace, questions Cecilia's choice of words, and this seriously offends Cecilia. In the end it's Asal who is accused of inappropriate behaviour.

Lacrimosa

A young woman finds her lost lover in a world of ever-changing surreal landscapes. But love, she discovers, is more complicated than she imagines.

Freestyle Swimmer

Young Max discovers that grandfather Gustav cannot swim and decides to teach him. But Gustav thinks that it may be too late for him...

Jamie's Secret

PAUL RUDD'S FIRST ROLE! A teenager who was sexually abused by his father. Faced with his conflicting emotions, Jamie finally learns to overcome the most difficult part of his ordeal: feeling "alone ... trapped inside this nightmare." With the advice of caring adults and, most importantly, a friend of his age, Jamie finds the strength to make the most difficult decision, that of facing his father in the courtroom.

Boydem

This particular summer, at an age that falls between childhood and young adulthood, while their grandparents are taking their afternoon nap, Keren and Noam play games in the attic ("Boydem" in Yiddish) that introduces them to a new level of intimacy.

Frogs

It’s dripping through the ceiling, the space for sleeping is scarce. Under poor living conditions, a young mother handles everyday life with her two daughters in the Brazilian suburb as best she can. When they unexpectedly acquire a load of frog legs, this gives rise to a celebration that will not soon be forgotten.

By the Sea Where We Played

A short story about a boy who is honest and courageous despite being paralyzed.

Sitara: Let Girls Dream

Pari, a 14-year-old girl, dreams of becoming a pilot while growing up in a society that doesn’t allow her to dream.

Arrival

This traditionally animated film tells the journey of how a young boy's personal discovery affects the long-distance relationship he keeps with his mother.

History Is Written at Night

A masterclass in mood, the film plunges us into the darkness of the blackouts that ripple across Cuba. In the murk of shadow, the flickering of fire beckons stories from realms beyond the reach of light. Electricity cuts have revived a protest movement dormant since the revolution, one demanding that power be restored.

The Burning Boy

A closeted teenage gay boy shares a swim and an afternoon together with his straight best friend. When his looks and longing let his secret out, his friend pleasantly surprises him but an accident occurs and tragedy ensues.

Connected

"Connected" is a about two lonesome people who find each other via a chance encounter on a subway train. They experience happiness in one another for a brief moment in their lives until circumstances out of their control rip them apart. However their paths may once again intersect down the line.

Me + Her

Creating a universe between two small pieces of Cardboard. When Jack and Jill of Cardboard City are separated by Jill's torrid illness, Jack must think outside the box to assure they will be together again.

Bull's Heart

The story of a son who is secretly in love and a lonely, hard-working father. Each leads his own life – until one sultry summer day, their courses collide with a shock.

Nothing

Bia just turned eighteen. The end of the year is coming and also the ACTs. People at school and Bia’s parents are pressuring her to decide which graduation she will apply for. Bia doesn’t want to do anything.

Monkeylove

In the evocative landscape of wintry Hokkaido, Monkeyboy (a young man in a monkey suit) searches for his stolen heart – but even the serene beauty of a mountain cannot redeem the failed connection.

Kissing Drew

Inside a drab middle school in 1992, a sexually-confused eighth-grader attempts to regain his dignity after being bullied by a sex-obsessed 'cool kid' whom he privately fantasizes about.

Pioneers

Two desperate pioneer women escape together across the midwestern desert in 1848.

The Line

On an ordinary day, Yoon-jin(26) finds Ji-hoon(14) crouching down on a stair in the hallway in front of her house.

Mac-boogie

Hyo-seon is diagnosed early menopause, and his son Jinsu calls for a MacBook. One old cow that would be the money in the house.

Beautiful Dreamer

Facing a terminal disease, a mother uses space travel and relativity to stretch her last two years over the lifetime of her baby daughter, visiting for only one night every seven years. Mother and daughter must negotiate to build a relationship despite the longing and estrangement that marks the life moments they are able to share.

Visions of Europe

Twenty-five films from twenty-five European countries by twenty-five European directors.

Drama Shorts: BBC Introducing Arts

Actor, writer and producer Chizzy Akudolu presents a collection of dramatic short films from the best new filmmakers. Subjects include secrets, love and family, from awkward conversations about sausages to how to deal with zombies. Skinny Fat; Backbone; Expats; Finger Prick; Hold the Sausage; Jigging; Madly Involved; Nakato; Sentient; Voodoo in My Heart; Best Served Cold

Animated Shorts: BBC Introducing Arts

Explore exciting, strange and thought-provoking worlds with broadcaster, gamer and animation fan Elle Osili-Wood. Through abstract designs, 2D animation and stop motion techniques, Elle showcases the next generation of makers with this collection of new short films. Stories of wellbeing, grief, lockdown and climate change make us think about today’s society and find shared experiences in unexpected places. Feeding Grief to Animals; Bearly Functional; Birth of the Telephone; Blodeuwedd's Gift; Confessions of an English Ant-Eater; Everyone Has My Jacket; The Flood; Growing Plains; Mental Roots; Misophonia; Sensory Chaos; Silence and Her Roommate; Unbound; Urban Fox; wūûūwūûū; Rawr; Worlds Apart

Female Filmmakers Too: BBC Introducing Arts

Cultural historian Janina Ramirez presents a collection of intriguing and exciting short films by emerging female directors and artists. Each film gives a female perspective on modern-day topics from friendship and identity to freedom and belonging. Silent Pride; 0.5%; After the Break; Black. British. Muslim. Other.; Exhale; Hung Out to Dry; I Asked for Wonder; Midday; Sapphire of the Valley; The Skin I Move In; We know a better word than happy; Being Black in Northern Ireland

Screengrabbed Too: BBC Introducing Arts

Huw Stephens presents an exciting selection of short films from emerging artists and film-makers from across the UK. Topics are fresh, varied and thought-provoking, including a behind-the-scenes look at a zoo closing for the night, an honest account of farming the land, and a powerful love letter from a son to a mother who has cancer. Expect to be moved and challenged by these short dramas, observations and dance, made by a new generation of storytellers. Yew; Echdo; King of the Pit; Two B or Not Two B; Lucky House; Everything Is Fine; The Jacket; Cages; It's Always Been; Mary Lost Her Battle; Between the Dog and the Wolf; From His Perspective

The Magical Son

Enys works the family farm with his widowed mother and grandmother. An exceptional rugby player, Enys leads his team to the final of The Cornwall Cup, all the while living with the pressures of his fathers legacy and a secret relationship.

Rhyme & Reason: BBC Introducing Arts

Lemn Sissay presents a selection of short films from a new generation of artists who are inspired by poetry and the spoken word. Dying to Live; Notes on Being a Lady; Other Voices; Raised by Queenz; Terra Firma; The Siren's Song; Alice_Alice; My Grandad; The Fall; When Will It Stop?; Backwards; Covering Scars with Summer Jumpers; Is Anybody Out There?

Screengrabbed: BBC Introducing Arts

Janina Ramirez presents a screengrab of inspiring, beautiful and urgent stories from emerging and established film-makers with their interpretations of life's big topics. A Fashion Show; Birdcage; Body to Body; Ffasiwn, The Film; Folk; Light Noise; Through a Screen Darkly; Be Different Today; Palm Tree; Shiner; Demons Before Breakfast; How Do You Know You're in Love?; Sensational Simmy; What Does It Mean to Be British?

Dance on Film: BBC Introducing Arts

Acclaimed dancer Carlos Acosta introduces a new generation of film makers who use b-boying, ballet and contemporary dance to tell their stories. Subjects range from dancing in a bingo hall, acid attacks, body image and wellbeing and the mystical world of baby eels. Each is a remarkable fusion of dance and film. Anatomy of a Crooked Spine; Blast; Elver; Full House; I Am Soldier; I Dance Best with You; Inside; Inside We Break; Manmade; Petals and Pain; Scapelands; We Are Ready Now; We Are Always Here; Do I Have Free Will?

A Family Affair

A woman makes a powerful connection with a surprising stranger on her 30th birthday.