Best Documentary: Our Journey To Pride

OUR JOURNEY TO PRIDE

Experience the story of Thurrock's inaugural Pride in a captivating documentary featuring interviews with friends, allies, funders, supporters and group members. An unforgettable cinematic experience that celebrates courage, diversity, and love. "The Journey of Thurrock's First Pride" is a poignant documentary capturing the vibrant spirit and remarkable stories behind the inception of Thurrock's inaugural Pride celebration.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: UNITED KINGDOM / RUN TIME: 68MINS

Directed by Benjamin Thomas Scarsbrook

Best Short Film: Running to Christmas

RUNNING TO CHRISTMAS

AKA: Chay toi Giang Sinh

On Christmas Eve, at a small bar, Nam is lost in thought, trying to understand why his relationship with Nhi fell apart. At the same time, Trang is rushing around, searching for a drunken man who mistakenly took her coat. Inside the coat lies a precious keepsake tied to her and her lover. Nam decides to help Trang retrieve it, and in the process, he gradually uncovers the true reason why Nhi left him

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: VIETNAM / RUN TIME:23MINS

Directed by Hoang Minh Nguyen

Best Comedy: Stalk This Way

STALK THIS WAY

Alaina has never been great at getting a date the usual way. When she sets her sights on Matt, a charming yet awkward dentist, she takes an unconventional route to win his heart. Matt thinks he’s in for a dream date with a blonde bombshell, but is he ready for the reality? In this playful rom-com, attraction meets deception, and sparks fly in the most unexpected way.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: AUSTRALIA / RUN TIME: 15MINS

Directed by Zachary Boulton

Best Thriller: The Bag

THE BAG

We follow the activities of Chris, a deep shadow operative who uses manipulation and cunning whilst developing relationships and bonds with unwittingly knowing everyday people. Chris employs the use of his special relationships to engage in espionage and subversion which result in world changing events. Trust nobody.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: UNITED KINGDOM / RUN TIME: 23MINS

Writer / Director Martin J.Thomas

Best Horror Comedy: Oceansiders

OCEANSIDERS

Oceanside Properties offers a home away from home. It's a vacation for all of one's senses whether you buy the Elite Emerald plan or the premium platinum plan - as long as you buy...But for attendees Javi and Starlet, a routine timeshare pitch quickly transforms into a harrowing journey where 'no' is a forbidden word. They must navigate treacherous waters, where dangers lurk in every corner. As they uncover the sinister truths of Oceanside, they realize that nothing is as it seems in this chilling psychological thriller.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA / RUN TIME: 26MINS

Directed by Angel Castro & Joaquin Camilo

Best Drama: A Knife in the Moonlight

A KNIFE IN THE MOONLIGHT

Story of 16 year old Avanthika, survivor of sexual abuse from a rural village in Kerala, India

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: INDIA / RUN TIME: 25MINS

Directed by Manoj Koloth

Best Animation: Roxie

ROXIE

A young swordfighter must prove her skills in the arena in front of a live audience.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA / RUN TIME: 2MINS

Directed by Kylie Fitzgerald

Best Stop Motion Animation: Panic Switch

PANIC SWITCH

Stop motion animation of a standup performance telling the story of the speaker, a highschool teacher, managing his class when a student finds a bag of weed. His class gets excited and speculates about who the drugs could belong to until the culprit returns to try and find the bag.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA / RUN TIME: 5MINS

Directed by Cameron Red Howe