The full programme for 6 September 2026
The full programme for Sunday 6 September is set. Every film is confirmed, every file is with us, and we can now tell you exactly what you will see and when.
The afternoon runs as three separate programmes at the Mitchell Arts Centre in Stoke on Trent, with two intervals. One ticket admits you to the whole afternoon. Awards are presented at the end of each programme rather than saved for one long ceremony at the close.
Doors 12:45. Seventeen films. Just under four hours of cinema from six countries.
Programme One, 13:00 to 14:20
Introduction to the festival, live on stage, 10:00
Xmas Box, directed by Adriana Mourelle, One Minute Film, 1:00
Statue in the Garden, directed by Qianhui Yu, Staffordshire Filmmaker, 7:38
Philip Hardaker: Sculptured to Speak, directed by Henry John Sedgley, Staffordshire Filmmaker, 10:01
The Big Bad Wolf, directed by Leo William Wright, Student Animation Film, 5:00
Just A Wish Away, directed by Stephen Peers, Student Short Film, 16:14, with Stephen in the room
Murder For Dummies: Victim, directed by J.W. Roberts, TV Pilot and Web Series, 22:42
Interval, 14:20 to 14:40
A relaxed question and answer with the filmmakers who are with us, in the bar rather than on a stage.
Programme Two, 14:40 to 16:00
An Alternate Pond, directed by C. Thomas Lewis, Experimental Film, United States, 10:28
Brown Sheep, directed by Konna Thomson, Student Short Film, United Kingdom, 12:42, with Konna in the room
Safety Net, directed by Alfie Beard, Staffordshire Filmmaker, 14:48
The Last Call, directed by Bailey Mowatt, Staffordshire Filmmaker, 15:44, with Bailey in the room
Shut your trap!, directed by Luis Ramos, One Minute Film, Mexico, 1:00
Hell, directed by Parker Croft, Short Animation Film, United States, 5:00
Burger Dude: The Burginning, directed by Jackson Chaddock, TV Pilot and Web Series, 15:04, with Jackson in the room
Parental guidance. The last two films in Programme Two contain strong language and adult humour. They are grouped deliberately at the end of the block, immediately before the interval, so families with younger children can step out.
Interval, 16:00 to 16:20
Programme Three, 16:20 to 17:40
Petrol Head, directed by Patrick Swain and Jasper Frost, Short Film, 14:59
Largo, directed by Salvatore Scarpa and Max Burgoyne-Moore, Short Film, 18:59
The Land We Fight For, directed by Dimitri Nasennik, Short Documentary Film, Estonia and Ukraine, 39:17, our closing film, with a representative of the director in the room
Filmmakers with us on the day
Stephen Peers, Bailey Mowatt, Jackson Chaddock, and a representative for Dimitri Nasennik will all be at the Mitchell. More filmmakers and guests are joining us for the awards, and we will introduce them on the day.
Tickets
Tickets are sold by the Mitchell Arts Centre. Adults £8.00, concessions, seniors and children aged 5 to 15 £6.00. One ticket covers all three programmes, so you can come for the afternoon or drop in for a single block.
Award winners are announced on the day. We are keeping those quiet until then.
Every selected film in detail, with synopses, director biographies, genres and runtimes, is on the 2026 selection page.