Short film competition, vol. 2

Part of Samizdat 2024 Short Film Competition

Samizdat is continuing and expanding its Short Film Competition. This year, 17 titles — from Estonia to Kyrgyzstan — will compete for the main prize, awarded based on audience voting.

This block of shorts features seven films, including a dark romantic comedy from Ukraine, a work exploring the experience of a Mexican delivery driver in Estonia, a mini-almanac of experimental films discussing the nature of people’s fears by teenage directors from Kyrgyzstan, and a Moldovan film about intersex people and the stigma they are exposed to.

The 2024 edition of Samizdat is supported by Screen Scotland’s National Lottery Film Festival and Screening Fund and Film Hub Scotland, part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network, awarding funds from Screen Scotland and National Lottery funding from the BFI.

Programme (in order of screening)

Comma by Sonia Leliukh, Ukraine

At a busy train station, a human with an ever-exploding head stumbles upon an old newspaper. This discovery opens a portal into a world of different stories, all intertwined by a shared theme: the war in Ukraine. Despite the war's impact, each story depicts people living normally, dancing, walking their dogs, and engaging in peaceful activities. Although their lives have been altered, they persist and strive to find meaning in a world where a missile attack can ruin your house at any moment.

Liosza by Miłosz Jan Sawicki, Poland

Two Ukrainian brothers, Liosza and Dmytro, live and work in Poland. It is here that the news of the outbreak of war in Ukraine reaches them. Each of them will eventually have to make a decision. Should they return to a country where the war had just broken out, or stay in Poland? This is an intimate story about ordinary people caught in a whirlwind of events, and a boy who gains his own voice at the price of looking into the depth of evil.

Uzhorod, To The Shelter! (Ужгород, в укриття!) by Olexandra Horiienko, Ukraine

For two young people, the air raid warnings become an exciting attraction. They wait for the sirens every day to have an excuse to meet in the shelter, using the opportunity to express their feelings without any restraint.

The House of Culture (Dom Kultúry) by Becky Miková, Slovakia/UK

The House of Culture used to be the centre of community in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. After years of neglect, it is now in decay and ruin. We follow the building’s history through the filmmaker's family's memories.

Essential Worker (Trabajadora Esencial) by Areeba Naveed, Estonia

Samira, a Mexican migrant, walks around an Estonian city and talks to her mother on the phone.

Scared by Children’s Laboratory ATOM, Kyrgyzstan

A mini-almanac of films directed by teenage filmmakers, discussing the nature of our fears and anxieties. What is the source of our fears? In today's troubled world, what causes real danger? Is it darkness, height, or perhaps something else?

I’ve Got to Tell You Something (Vreau să spun ceva) by Eugen Marian, Moldova

Eighteen-year-old orphan Lilya is studying at a Moldovan technical college. For the first time since graduating from the boarding school, she manages to make friends and even meet a guy. But Lily's new life changes when an acquaintance from her past shows up and threatens to tell everyone that she is an intersex person.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible, English subtitles, Pay-what-you-can tickets (£0-£8)

If you want to attend this screening but find it unaffordable, you may be able to have the cost of your ticket, commute, and/or childcare covered by the Audience Access Fund — see here for further details.

Content notes: War, trauma and grief, violence, sexual assault, offensive language.

Access notes: Bright and colourful images, fast-moving images, occasional black-and-white cinematography, sudden loud noises (sirens, welding, plastic bag crinkling).