Shorts #2: South West Talent + Q&A

Two Short Nights 2026

Thu 05 Mar 2026

Category

Other Information

81 mins | Recommended 18+

Price*

£5

Time

6pm

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Shorts #2: South West Talent + Q&A

A showcase of some of the incredible filmmaking talent from across the region. Come along so you can say you saw them here first.


PROGRAMME

ROCK POOL
Dir. Dan McKay | 17 mins | UK
Rock Pool invites the viewer into a space of quiet encounters, one that asks for attention, rewards stillness, and hopefully awakens a sense of awe for the hidden rhythms of the life all around us.

BURNOUT
Dir.Matthew Hendry, Tolli Myers | 6 mins | UK
Burnout follows a character trapped in a furious cycle of work, as mounting stress begins to unravel him. Born from this inner turmoil, an uncontrollable force emerges, wreaking havoc in its wake. Through a unique blend of pixilation and traditional puppet animation, Burnout explores the suffocating effects of stress, inviting viewers to witness a surreal descent into chaos, where the boundaries between mind and physical reality blur.

PEN MARI
Dir. Siôn Marshall-Water | 13 mins | UK
In the desperate search for a horse’s skull to lead an ancient folk procession, a man is drawn into the black market for animal body parts.

TRUE LOVE & WORMHOLES
Dir. Annabel Vine | 15 mins | UK
Maggie’s from the West Country; Craig’s from the Future‚ and together they might just save the planet. He‚’s funny, intense, and impossible to resist‚ but the closer Maggie gets, the more she suspects his story hides something darker. As their bond deepens, the danger escalates, smashing the boundaries between reality and delusion, monotony and wormholes, betrayal and True Love.

A FROG SITS IN WATER
Dir. Dylan Friese-Greene | 5 mins | UK
Set during an all-consuming heatwave, the film follows a lone figure spiralling into psychosis as the world boils and rots around him. Surrounded by spinning fans, he blocks out the sunlight and plays his saxophone in a desperate attempt to to drown out reality and retreat inward.

FINN
Dir. Sullivan Tarrant | 10 mins | UK
Two young boys, Indy and Finn, bond over imaginative filmmaking adventures in the forest of their childhood. Indy, a spirited boy captures their playful battles against ‘make-believe’ beasts, while Finn, his quieter companion, finds courage in their shared escapades. As separation looms, their bond is tested, forcing them to confront the bittersweet truths of growing up and letting go.

BARE ROOTS
Dir. Ellen McDougall | 15 mins | UK
In the depth of winter, an estranged mother and daughter plant a bare root hedge, unearthing the loss and heartbreak they have each buried, and exposing their needs for home, and each other.



About Two Short Nights

Two Short Nights is returning in 2026 to celebrate another year of creativity, diversity, and emerging talent. Now in its 24th edition, Two Short Nights champions innovative storytelling through a dynamic mix of screenings, commissions and our renowned 48-Hour Film Challenge! Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or new talent, join us in celebrating the power of short film and the unique stories that shape our world.

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Venue: Studio 74, Exeter Phoenix


*Subject to a £1.50 ticketing system charge. We don’t charge this to make a profit. Find out more >>

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