Bitesize Short Film Festival 2026 - Day 1
Bitesize Short Film Fest Opening Night (Presented by The Developing Room)
Bitesize 2026 opens with an evening of emotionally charged storytelling, striking visuals and immersive genre filmmaking from emerging voices across the UK and beyond.
Day 1 moves between grounded drama, mystery, sci-fi and suspense, balancing intimate human stories with imaginative worlds and cinematic tension. The programme explores identity, connection, resistance and transformation through a carefully curated mix of bold and distinctive short films.
Highlights include the dystopian sci-fi drama Paper Tiger and the moving drama Something Pointless, starring BAFTA-winner Owen Teale.
From atmospheric thrillers and haunting animation to emotionally resonant character pieces, Opening Night sets the tone for a festival built around discovery, creativity and unforgettable storytelling.
Followed by post-screening networking in the cinema bar.
Outrun The Clouds
Directed by Will Knight
United Kingdom | Drama | Runtime: 11m 55s
Burdened by new responsibilities, a young woman fights to escape the grip of her charismatic but controlling boyfriend.
Paper Tiger
Directed by Eden Quine-Taylor
United Kingdom | Sci-Fi | Runtime: 14m 49s
In the future citizens are forced to consume gene-altering medication as resistance begins to rise.
Expectation
Directed by Corin Anderson
United Kingdom | Animation | Runtime: 2m 51s
A moment of intense introspective crisis before the big match.
How To Hide It
Directed by Ramla Ali & Richard A. Moore
United Kingdom | Comedy | Runtime: 12m 54s
A British-Sudanese woman secretly wins the lottery and struggles to hide it from her traditional family.
Fine Print Pact
Directed by Ruben Gray
United Kingdom | Fantasy/Comedy | Runtime: 10m 23s
A young woman races to escape a supernatural contract with an eldritch god.
Quota
Directed by Cecil Duffy
United Kingdom | Animation/Horror | Runtime: 2m 57s
After seeing something she shouldn’t, an office worker spirals into paranoia.
Slow-Down
Directed by Ornella Hawthorn Gardez
United Kingdom | Suspense/Thriller | Runtime: 10m 05s
A mother launches into a desperate midnight chase after her daughter is abducted.
Something Pointless
Directed by Asa Bailey
United Kingdom | Drama | Runtime: 14m 21s
A bullied young boy forms an unlikely friendship with an elderly artist.
Dear Jinji
Directed by Zhou Xinyi
China | Mystery/Drama | Runtime: 25m
After her grandmother’s death, Zhou Qingyu follows a mysterious photograph and forms a tender connection with Jinji.
