WWIFF 2026 Short Film Competition - British Shorts: Block 3

10.11 | WWIFF | British Shorts: Block 3 + Q&A session

WWIFF 2026 Short Film Competition

O MIO!

United Kingdom / 2026 / 5 min 35 sec / English / Short

A distraught woman finds help in a diner.

Directors - Anna Dobos, Anastasiya Ador

Anna Dobos is a British/Hungarian/American director based in London, with an MA in Visual Anthropology from Goldsmiths and a 2022–23 residency at Somerset House. Anastasiya Ador is a London-based actor and writer with Eastern European roots, known for Prime's FARZI and Netflix's ARANYAK, and was selected for the Aluna Lab run by Vanessa Kirby.

_______

AFTER THE WORD

United Kingdom / 2026 / 20 minutes / English / Short

Drama school students Lottie Okafor and Apple Richards become fast friends after Apple speaks up for Lottie when a teacher makes an inappropriate comment about her hair. Yet, at a party a week away from their agent showcase, a song is played that changes everything, putting their friendship at risk.

Directors - Nadia Cavelle, Anita-Joy Uwajeh

Nadia Cavelle is an award-winning playwright, filmmaker and actor trained at Drama Centre London; her stage play won a Scotsman Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Fringe. Anita-Joy Uwajeh is an actor from South East London, also trained at Drama Centre London, whose credits include Fightland, Vampire Academy and Atlanta.

_______

NOT NOW

United Kingdom / 2026 / 9 minutes / English / Short

Siobhan (twenties), a Welsh woman rebuilding her life in London, meets with an overfamiliar therapist for a session she has decided will be her last. Her reality bent by grief, intrusive memories force her to a place she's there to forget.

Director - [имя, биография]

_______

VERGE

United Kingdom / 2026 / 8 min 38 sec / English / Short

The film explores the passage of time and the inner journey of a person through two philosophical dialogues about life, choice, and the nature of human ambition. The protagonist moves through illusions, hopes, and self-deception while trying to understand which goals truly matter and which are merely mirages.

Director - Valeriia Karaman

[биография]

_______

SWALLOW

United Kingdom / 2026 / 21 min 28 sec / English / Short

A brutal classroom encounter leaves substitute teacher Stella, humiliated, falsely accused and fighting for her reputation, while colleagues offer little support. When an injured swallow becomes trapped inside the college, its struggle for freedom begins to echo her own. Inspired by true events, Swallow stars BAFTA-winner and Golden Globe nominee Cathy Tyson.

Director - Kat Philippou-Curtis

Has written and directed the features The Boys and Marriage, as well as short films, plays and immersive stage productions. A passionate advocate for marginalised voices.

_______

THE HUNT

United Kingdom / 2025 / 10 minutes / English / Short

In a quest for survival amid London's ruthless rent crisis, 29-year-old Lucy embarks on a darkly comedic house-hunting odyssey to escape her mum's suburban home. In her search, she is confronted by eccentric tenants, absurd living situations, and her own unravelling sanity.

Director - Rebecca Ward

A London-based writer/director with a degree in English Literature and Philosophy from the University of Leeds, who trained in directing at the London Film Academy and City Lit.

_______

Location: Karma Sanctum

Tickets:

£10 — General Admission

£5 — Student Ticket (with valid student ID)

Women and the World International Film Festival is a non-profit initiative dedicated to supporting female directors, producers, and women working behind the camera.

All proceeds go towards supporting women in the film industry, amplifying their voices, promoting their work, and creating more opportunities for female filmmakers.

Description supplied by the event organiser.