‘Film Imitates Life’ Shorts

Bruno, living as a young Gay Latino in high school, has just started to discover himself and his sexuality. Now that he has a new boyfriend, he feels he is finally ready to come out to his parents. However, after he tells this to his older sister Lucia, she soon reminds him that coming out to his parents isn’t the best idea. This leads him to question his decision and the expression of his queerness in his own life.

What is “love”? This is the central topic explored in the film.
Prior to the formation of love, there is a stronger inclination towards attachment and dependency, which then expands into various manifestations. With this in mind, a 2D animated short film depicting a romantic relationship between two men is created. Love is composed of different factors, including dependency, needs, sexual attraction, and withdrawal, which serve as the four main pillars of the film. The focus lies in the dissatisfaction and withdrawal resulting from lost love, and the attempt to satisfy oneself through the lens of addictive love. The film portrays an irresistible longing for love and an addiction to wanting to love. Emotions are conveyed through classical piano music, while abstract coffee imagery symbolizes the blending with others and the protagonist’s desire to love again. The use of easy-open cans represents the protagonist’s sense of urgency, the desire for immediate gratification that can be obtained effortlessly. Ultimately, the film returns to the theme of existential emptiness.

At the Victor Hugo High School, French teacher Leila Al Bachir has called a disciplinary hearing for one of her students: Simon Petit. In her quest to find a fair sanction for Simon, she realises her workplace is in serious trouble…

Ruth is an elderly woman who lives with Jo, her enigmatic and aloof caregiver. After discovering her old video camera, Ruth begins filming their lives together in an attempt to understand and connect with the woman with whom she shares a home.

Making Up is set in the late 1980s, framed within the gritty drag scene of London’s east end. The short film stars BIFA award-winning Dave Johns, Jessica Ellerby and Carey Thring and follows Ted who is diagnosed with a hereditary illness. Ted must therefore reconcile with estranged daughter, Cassandra. However, being a celebrated drag queen, paired with the bitter feelings Cassandra harbours over their past, presents a larger obstacle for Ted to overcome. Making Up explores how much, and how little, has changed in terms of attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ community since that era, and the resulting friction that impacts those of that community.

Anthony intends to leave his small town for New York City, however, his god-fearing mother struggles to let him go.