Welcome to EFN Short Film Festival 2023

This year, we’re bigger than ever, thanks to our 30% increase in submissions – thank you!

So what’s new in our 2023 edition? For the first time, we’ve added a debut feature film – the fiercely funny and surreal  Medusa Deluxe by Thomas Hardiman. This screening will take place on October 1st, and will be followed by a panel discussion with Director Thomas Hardiman and his production team.  We’ll ask questions like: What were the stages? How was it financed? What obstacles did you face? How would you advise emerging filmmakers? We won’t accept generic answers ;-).

We’re also partnering with StageText to offer you an affordable workshop on September 28th on how to create your own descriptive subtitles. At a time when cinemas are increasingly adding screenings with descriptive subtitles to weekly programme and festivals ask them as a precondition to screen your films, this will demystify the process and equip you with all the right skills.

All short film screenings will all take place on September 30th, culminating to our trademark Awards Night where you can vote live for the Audience Favorite Award. Our Critics’ Choice Award will be granted by film and culture writer Lillian Crawford, film programmer and producer Rebecca del Tufo and award winning filmmaker, Mitch Kalisa.  

Our ticket prices are affordable and include concession prices, and you can buy a £20 Day Pass for all four screenings on the 30th of September by adding all four screenings to your basket on checkout.

Apart from these, expect our unique combination of serious programming and fun atmosphere. The best in filmmaking, with a flair for the irreverent and for scouting raw talent!

We are aiming to be accessible to the HOH and the d/Deaf community. Some of the films have descriptive subtitles and all the English speaking films have subtitles. Trigger warnings are provided before each film and a quiet area will be available.  Please contact our Access Coordinator, Olivia Shaw directly at access@efnfestival.org if you have any individual access requirements.

See you at the end of September! -The EFN team