In a post-lockdown world, the stifling sensations of isolation have been felt almost universally, as we have been compelled to ‘live in a bubble which isn’t necessarily reflective of reality’. Most of the films in this block were made during the first wave of the pandemic, feature this period heavily, or reflect upon the simple … More Isolation

Lockdowns, distancing, Zoom dates: it might seem as if the social estrangement of the past year has stultified romance. Maintaining relationships and finding love is difficult enough without these barriers, but this block proves – as the old saying goes – that romance isn’t dead! Love, Post-LockdownUnited Kingdom (16min), Dir: Ben Mourra, Lucas Boetsch Isolating … More Love In The Time Of Covid

War is what happens when language fails. Its first casualty is innocence itself: whether soldier or civilian, surviving it leaves an indelible mark, and there is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing the innocent. Despite the pain and trauma of war, this block also asks us: is bad peace worse than … More War Is Hell

There is an indefinable quality to the sea that keeps drawing us back to it – something mesmerising, possibly other-worldly. For these five filmmakers, this compulsive wonder and awed attachment to the sea comes to signify a myriad of cinematic moments: a fascination with trying to conquer the highest waves, a space for a coming-of-age … More Lure of the Sea

This documentary block looks at ‘miracle’ people – those who are often overlooked in mainstream society, but are the pillars of our complicated and multifaceted world. We travel from Vietnamese farmlands to the suburbs of the West Country to see how these remarkable individuals deal with difference and redefine the word ‘normal’. Fraser Syndrome & … More Real Stories

The films in this block reveal an inability to connect, whether as a result of mistranslation, deception, or simply a figure of speech taken a bit too literally. Swerving between worlds of estrangement and eruptions of comedy, this block sees languages, perspectives, and even time periods collide in clashes of cultures and beliefs. It asks … More Miscommunication

The dramas in this block tackle the different work ethics held by different cultures, and the complex relationships people have with work – from its link to toxic masculinity to the generational inheritances types of work bear. In these milieus of labour and toil, larger aspirations beyond these work cultures are quickly felled. SisterChina (13min), … More Work Cultures