Short Film Competition: Common Ground

Over 8 billion people call planet Earth home, and each of us have our own unique relationship with the world in which we live.

The films in our first shorts competition programme explore shifting landscapes and perceptions. From the impact of artificial light on our day and night in In Sync With the Sun to the significance of water in Fluid Lagos. We see just how quickly the ground can shift beneath our feet in Arshia Shakiba’s portrait of war-torn Northern Syria (Who Loves the Sun) and There Will Come Soft Rains - a daughter haunted by rising sea levels digs up her father’s grave to move his body to higher ground.

Collectively, these films highlight how our attitudes towards our planet are a crucial stepping stone to inspiring and taking action.

3MWh ( Dir Marie-Magdalena Kochová, Czech Rep 2024, 12 mins)

Black Tide (Dir: Kim Yip Tong, France 2024, 14 mins)

There Will Come Soft Rains (Elham Ehsas, UK 2024, 15 mins)

Fluid Lagos (Dir: Fluid Lagos Collective, Nigeria 2024, 11 mins)

Who Loves the Sun? (Dir: Arshia Shakiba, Canada 2024, 19 mins)

In Sync with the Sun (Dir: Emily Downe, UK 2024, 4 mins)

What are Solidarity tickets?

We recognise that not everyone has equal access to live events and that the cost of entry is a barrier to some people. Solidarity tickets are free tickets available for anyone who needs it. If you're not sure whether that's you, refer to our guide below (thank you to Matchbox Cineclub for sharing this guide).

Solidary tickets are for you if you agree with any of the following statements:

• I frequently stress about meeting basic needs (including food, clothing, housing and transportation) and don’t always achieve them.
• I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs.
• I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing.
• I sometimes can’t afford public or private transport. If I own a car/have access to a car, I am not always able to afford petrol.
• I am unemployed or underemployed.
• I qualify for government and/or voluntary assistance including: food banks and benefits.
• I have no access to savings.
• I have no or very limited expendable income (expendable income might mean you are able to buy tea or coffee at a shop, go to the cinema or a concert, buy new clothes, books and similar items each month etc.)
• I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them.
• I cannot afford a holiday or have the ability to take time off without financial burden.