2CIFF 21 - 23 AUG 2026
film guide and confirmed speakers will be updated here - in competition films post selection
film guide and confirmed speakers will be updated here - in competition films post selection
film guide and confirmed speakers will be updated here - in competition films post selection
film guide and confirmed speakers will be updated here - in competition films post selection
film guide and confirmed speakers will be updated here - in competition films post selection
film guide and confirmed speakers will be updated here - in competition films post selection
THE LOSSEN
A film by Colin Skevington
‘The Lossen’
In the dead of night, the other-worldly Grim Reaper drags its hulking, hooded mass to the front door of 70-year-old business woman Sylvia Cappleman (Linda Marlowe). But this mythical Grim Reaper is not all it seems as Sylvia is greeted by the enigmatic Lossen (Sean Knopp), the Reaper's mysterious representative.
The Lossen and his loyal Assistant are tasked with ‘collecting’ Sylvia, but they discover a complication with her passing, she hasn't fulfilled her dream. The Lossen takes the unwilling Sylvia on a haunting, rollercoaster journey to confront her past, unravelling the threads that
led her to drift away from her heart's desire.
'The Lossen' is an intense and powerful story, filled with atmosphere and intrigue, where the unbelievable becomes the believable, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats until the final, unexpected revelation.
Note:
‘The Lossen’ is a multi-international award-winning film, including the Grand Award for Best Fantasy Short at the prestigious Oscar booster Rhode Island International Film Festival in the
USA.
JUST ANOTHER DAY
A film by Jason Impey
Just Another Day is a poignant British short film that explores the quiet, often unseen struggles of everyday life through a deeply personal lens. Set against the backdrop of ordinary routines, the film follows an individual navigating the pressures, misunderstandings, and emotional weight that accompany neurodivergence and mental health challenges.
As the day unfolds, seemingly simple interactions and tasks become layered with tension and introspection, revealing how overwhelming the “ordinary” can feel. Through a blend of intimate storytelling and subtle visual expression, the film invites audiences to step inside a perspective that is rarely portrayed with such honesty.
Raw, reflective, and thought-provoking, Just Another Day shines a light on the resilience required to face each new day, while encouraging greater empathy and understanding for experiences that often go unnoticed.
This film supports our festival charity partners MIND BLMK and Youth Mindset
Just press the image opposite to be transported to Jason's YouTube channel
A FILM BY KIERAN JOHNSTON
VIRAL : Ted ramirez
Viral: Ted Ramirez is a chilling prequel to Viral that delves into the early crimes of the infamous Ted Ramirez. When a seemingly routine visit to a young couple’s home takes a disturbing turn, an ordinary evening quickly spirals into a nightmare. As tensions rise and the true intentions of a mysterious stranger begin.
not on my watch
Directed by: David Kline
Three cops discuss true crime over breakfast in a quiet cafe, seemingly unaware of what's happening around them.
Featuring veteran actor Ian Reddington
the stork
Directed by: Stephen Gallacher
The Stork is a character driven comedy that follows well intentioned, but clueless, parents of a queer woman wanting to start a family via artificial insemination using Norwegian semen ordered online – a popular method for queer couples. However, typically, the receipts of said semen tend to sign for their important delivery but on this occasion they’re not in but, (un)luckily, one set of parents are! On delivery, there is a slight altercation that results in the sample being destroyed leaving the delivery driver and parents in a bit of sticky (or rather NOT sticky) situation that needs to be rectified before their daughter returns home. All three characters are on very different pages regarding their plan of action and have very different perspectives when it comes to understanding the queer community – supportive but not necessarily accurate. Through miscommunication and audience the short pushes moral boundaries, questioning how far would a parent go to secure their child’s happiness. We follow the trio as they stumble their way through learning about their daughter’s journey (despite their ignorance) and its complexities - from a place of love. It’s an uplifting, family centred story showcasing the importance of unconditional love of queer people.
dear heart
Directed by: Emily Barnard
An intimate portrait of an ordinary 63-year-old woman who knows that being outdoors every day whatever the weather is the cure for succumbing to life’s ‘stop cards’.
Directors statement:
Dear Heart is, to me, a film about love, nature, and adversity. In getting to know Sara, I was inspired by her resilience, her struggles, and the environment she inhabits.
Adventure is essential to life. Without it, we lose our spark and our vision. It is what gives us excitement and zest—and Sara’s story embodies this perfectly. For her, nature is a tonic, a source of strength and healing, and being able to capture that power through this film has been an incredible experience.
I have always been inspired by the relationship between people and the natural world. Meeting Sara, fittingly, during a wild swim, felt serendipitous—almost as if this project had been waiting for me. I often think of creative concepts as spiritual beings, and encountering Sara in that moment felt far from a coincidence.
I believe Dear Heart offers something to everyone. Adventure takes many forms, and this film is a reminder that it is accessible to us all—whether through love, nature, or the courage to face adversity.
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