Short Film Programme: Being Me
Step into a world of captivating short films that explore the complex theme of identity, with powerful themes of bravery, community, and family. This specially curated selection celebrates stories from diverse perspectives, offering young audiences a chance to reflect on who we are, the courage it takes to be ourselves, and how those around us have influence on who we become.
Total Running Time: 85min
Himal
Najam Subba / UK / 2024 / 4min
A Yeti father has to face his fear and prejudice against humans when his son befriends a human girl from the village.
Dialogue-free
Pete
Bret Parker / USA / 2022 / 7min
Based on a true story about gender identity, Little League Baseball, the people who inspire change, and the superheroes who allow that change to happen.
English with subtitles
Dragfox
Lisa Ott / UK / 2024 / 8min
Sam's search for identity gets interrupted by a mysterious neighbourhood fox.
English with subtitles
Home
Peter Peake / UK / 2024 / 4min
A small orange circle feels far from home in a world where everything is purple and triangular.
Dialogue-free
Luce and the Rock
Britt Raes / Belgium-France-Netherlands / 2022 / 13min
Luce lives on a small island in the middle of the blue sea. Here, everything always goes the same way. Until a rock ball monster begins making life more confusing.
English with subtitles
Aaaah!
Osman Cerfon / France / 2023 / 5min
The tumultuous school day is filled with cries of "Aaaah!": cries of anger, of boredom, of joy and surprise - in short, the full spectrum of young emotions.
Dialogue-free
Dragon Slayers United
Tom Levinge / UK / 2023 / 12min
Holding a painful secret, Nic joins a dungeons and dragons group for people with disabilities. Through it, she enters a fantasy world that will forever change her self-view.
English with subtitles
Family Jewels
Tilly Wallace / UK / 2021 / 2min
Three generations worth of family history are discussed around a kitchen table; a collection of animated stories told through the medium of jewellery.
English with subtitles
Stranding
Ben Kadie / USA / 2021 / 11min
Ten-year-old Theo finds solace in a mysterious beached whale while his parents plan their divorce.
English with subtitles
Us Four
Alex Peake / UK / 2024 / 5min
An animated documentary about childhood memories and leaving home. Alex talks to her younger sisters about their past and realises the reality of them all growing up.
English with subtitles
This screening is part of Cinema for Young Explorers, a celebration of animated storytelling designed to invite young audiences back into the magic of cinema. Through captivating films, the programme showcases how stories can not only reflect the world around us but also help children explore and understand themselves.
Focusing on themes of identity, belonging, and community, Cinema for Young Explorers hopes to spark meaningful conversations and questions about the world we live in. The programme is suitable for audiences 6 and above. Please note that each feature film will be accompanied by a short film presentation, emphasising the importance of the cinema space as a place for shared experiences. Similarly, accessibility is at the heart of this season, therefore all screenings will feature subtitles and are presented as Relaxed/autism-friendly.
For more information on accessibility at the Lexi visit our accessibility page.
Cinema for Young Explorers is presented in partnership with the National Film and Television School.
This programme has been curated by NFTS Film Studies, Programming and Curation student, Conor Riley.
