Romantic Encounters?

These tales record the rush of initial intimacy and the hard conversations that follow. We move from pre-teen crushes and the pangs of coming-out, to an acerbic back-and-forth on the difficulties of dating with a disability. In this way, the block sees individuals find common ground – even if that ground is shared suffering and rage.

Manasanamaha
India (16min), Dir: Deepak Reddy

A young man muses on the nature of love, recounting three relationships from his past. The girls in his life resemble three different seasons, namely Chaitra (Spring), Varsha (Monsoon) & Seeta (Winter).

Eve
United Kingdom (13min), Dir: Joe Solomon

This is a comedy drama of a young woman who has just got married to her long term boyfriend and now has doubts. She acknowledges she has been repressing her sexual attraction for women for some time, but that these feelings are genuine. Especially relevant at this moment, after kissing the groom’s sister, Olivia, an out and confident lesbian, at the hen party the night before.

Lessons
United Kingdom (15min), Dir: Sam Seccombe

The morning after a one night stand, Dan and Tommy engage in an interesting and unexpected conversation about relationships, sexuality and themselves.

So Be It And So It Is
United States (9min), Dir: Gianna Badiali

An impressionistic film about girlhood longing and ritual: two ten-year-old girls prepare for a meeting with their mutual fantasy, a majestic-nosed older boy.

The Hit
United States (7min), Dir: Jason A. White

Comedy. When a hardened hit woman falls for her suicidal mark, she learns that having it all may come with collateral damage.

Single
United States (9min), Dir: Gianna Badiali

A film that confronts the complexities of being disabled and dating. Kim gets set-up to go on a blind date. When she finally meets Jake, she quickly realizes he also has a physical disability, and she is pissed.

This block will play on Saturday 28th August at 1.30pm (GMT+1). The block will play for approximately 75 minutes and be followed by a Q&A with any of the filmmakers who are in attendance. View our 2021 programme here.

Grab FREE tickets to the online festival here.