Folks, always take the opportunity of a free headshot at film festivals! Thank you Clermont Ferrand International Short Film Festival for capturing Katie and Ian ❤️💚💙🎬🇫🇷📸 #festivalformulaontour #filmfestival #shortfilm #headshots

So happy for our pal Ben from Tribeca Festival for popping his Clermont cherry. You’ll see a perfectly timed photo bomb from the cheeky Adrian from Bolton Film Festival… ❤️💚💙🇫🇷🎬🇺🇸📸 #festivalformulaontour #filmfestival #shortfilm

A lonely vampire slayer seeks revenge after her evil housemate pushes her too far. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 11-min comedy / horror BLOODSUCKERS from director Rosie Brear.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/bloodsuckers

It was the UK meet and greet drinks event today at Clermont Ferrand Intl Short Film Festival in the market. And what a turnout! Gin and tonic, whisky, banter, and lots of filmmakers and industry folks ❤️💚💙🎬🇬🇧🇫🇷🍷🥃 #festivalformulaontour #shortfilm #filmfestival #ukfilm #clermontferrand

In order to “heal” Sam must embrace her inner Me and kill her I. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 10-min drama I & ME from director Elizabeth Chatelain.

Isabel was born under the shadow of narcoterrorism, with her family torn apart under the Escobar era. She shares her long treacherous journey of escape along with her daughter. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 29-min doc ISABEL from director Louis Lam.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/isabel

After her husband’s death, a mother struggles to connect with her son, who has retreated into his music - until she discovers a way back to him. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 12-min youth-focused drama OVERTONES from director Ollie Gardner.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/overtones

Welcome to the FF Slate to the 16-min drama SAM from director Catharina Schürenberg.  SAM follows a twenty-something psychology student—and professional cuddler—who receives disturbing backlash after posting a TikTok response about a surprising break-up. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/sam

Our lovely @mrmarkbrennan.bsky.social is at The Bay International Film Festival as of today for the weekend! He’ll be running a workshop on festival strategy (obvs!) on Saturday so if you see him then do wave 👋 ❤️💚💙🇬🇧🏖️🎬 #festivalformulaontour #shortfilm #filmfestival #thebayfilmfestíval

John, a man in the early stages of Parkinson's, takes his young son to play a game of football, which will force them to face their changing relationship. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 11-min drama THE GAME from director Charlotte Gwinner.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/the-game

Welcome to the FF Slate to the 14-min drama WORMHOLES from dir Vanessa Bailey & screenwriter Jonathan Skinner. FF’s Katie Bignell calls it: “a sweet piece that takes the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, with a sprinkle of magical realism.”  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/wormholes

In suburban Brentford, a lonely ex–police dog handler and his loyal Alsatian face a jittery thief selling stolen goods.  Welcome to the FF Slate to the 11-minute drama K-9INE! from director Elliott Power.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/k-9ine

In the second part of her piece on Avant Garde Film Collectives, FF’s Jess Sweetman speaks to three organisations who are living up to the ideals of their predecessors: MIX NYC, The Invisible Women Collective, and Basement Films. https://www.festivalformula.com/insight/rage-against-the-screen-part-1

Meet Oli Hudson, director behind the FF Slate Film POP and true king of good interview answers. Find out more about Oli here: https://www.olihudsonwriter.com/

A proud lawyer with early dementia fights to prove she still belongs, only to learn what she really needs is a friend beside her as she lets go. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 14-min drama PINA from director Florian Kasperski (CROWDFUNDING). https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/pina

Old friends are reunited in Berlin for a stag do. When the stag runs late, the two are forced to spend time with each other, after years apart. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 15-min comedy/drama FUNK from director Adam Harris.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/funk

Rae, a struggling artist, struggles to survive a birthday visit with their dysfunctional family. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 14-min drama BIRTHDAY BOY from director Rosa Brooke. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/birthday-boy

A socially anxious college freshman forms an improbable bond with his new roommate, who died in the dorm half a century ago. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 20-min comedy-horror DEAD ROOMMATE from director CJ Maxwell. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/dead-roommate

What were FF’s Jess Sweetman’s top 3 short films of 2025? 1 - lloyd wong - unfinished by lesley loksi chan 2 - be somebody by michal toczek 3 - the blue diamond - sam fox Head over to the FF Insight Blog for the top films from our whole team.  www.festivalformula.com/insight/best-of-2025

What were FF’s Esther Smith’s top 3 short films of 2025? 1- no way back by tom turner 2- shanti rides shotgun by charles frank 3 - tell me where i’m going wrong by kyle jon shephard Head over to the FF Insight Blog for the top films from our whole team.  www.festivalformula.com/insight/best-of-2025

What were FF’s Mark Brennan’s top 3 short films of 2025? 1- i hate helen by katie lambert 2- tortured artist by thomas laurance 3- the man that i wave at by ben s. Hyland Head over to the FF Insight Blog for the top films from our whole team.  www.festivalformula.com/insight/best-of-2025

What were FF’s Ian Bignell’s top 3 short films of 2025? 1 - the singers by sam a. Davis 2 - voiceless by samuel patthey 3 - i could dom by madison hatfield Head over to the FF Insight Blog for the top films from our whole team. Meanwhile, let us know your faves in the comments. Enjoy!

It's been an epic year here at Festival Formula.  Thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way to our thriving and delightful film community in 2025.  We can't wait to see all of you in 2026!

What were FF’s Katie Bignell’s top 3 short films of 2025? 1. Qui part a la chasse (the hunted) by lea favre 2 - cattywampus by jono chanin 3 - play hard by winter dunn Head over to the FF Insight Blog for the top films from our whole team.  www.festivalformula.com/best-of-2025/

We watch short films for a living, so as an end-of-year treat, we’ve tasked the FF Team to share their top three fave short films of 2025.  Some of them are available now, some others are worth waiting for.  So head over to the FF Insight Blog. Enjoy! www.festivalformula.com/insight/best-of-2025/

Laney is struggling to conceive a child. Her husband, Derick, is abusive to her, until he is attacked and possessed by a strange creature. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 12-min drama / horror BARREN from director Daniel Cugola.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/barren

A too-soon move-in turns sinister when a woman realizes her girlfriend’s strange behavior may not be love’s pains, but a ghost refusing to let go. Welcome to the Slate to the 14-min HERE HIDES THE HEART from @madebymateja.bsky.social https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/here-hides-the-heart

When Bea sets off for her debut performance in a pub, even her most farfetched apprehensions couldn’t have predicted who would steal the limelight. Welcome to the Slate to the 11-min dramedy THE PLOUGH ON SUNDAY from dir Beej Harris.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/the-plough-on-sunday

A downbeat millennial's plan for a free-house is thwarted by her kooky Mom who is acting suspicious. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 9-min comedy/drama MIDNIGHT MURUNGAI from director Ramiya Pushparajah. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/midnight-murungai

There is one genre of cinema that divides ‘movie’ lovers and ‘film’ lovers, and that is arthouse. For the most recent edition of our Blog, FF’s Mark Brennan talks to some of the film festivals who truly appreciate the subjective genre. https://www.festivalformula.com/insight/arthouse-the-only-genre

Two women treated alongside the filmmaker at Barts Hospital, reveal the parts of cancer most films skip.  Welcome to the FF Slate to the 18-min documentary KELLIE AND JENNY from director Anne Isaksson.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/kellie-and-jenny

When Leah discovers that her healthy grandmother is planning to kill herself before her 86th birthday, she journeys to understand why. Welcome to the Slate to the 24-min doc PLEASE DO NOT RESUSCITATE from director Leah Finegold. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/please-do-not-resuscitate

Welcome to the FF Slate to the 19-min drama THE AXE FORGETS from director John Christopher. James Jameson is a man torn between his genteel Irish life and the unspeakable atrocities he witnessed, and perhaps orchestrated in the Congo. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/the-axe-forgets

And that’s a wrap for Foyle Film Festival! Congratulations to all the selected filmmakers and the winners. You’ve been a bundle of joy and a pleasure to be the last festival for us for 2025 ❤️💚💙🎬😊 #festivalformulaontour #filmfestival #foylefilmfestival

We’re at Foyle Film Festival! Katie co-organised the industry weekend which kicks off tomorrow. Conversations with Directors Notes, Short Of The Week, Dublin Intl Film Festival, Glasgow Short Film Festival, London Short Film Festival + more❤️💚💙🎬 #festivalformulaontour #filmfestival #foylefilmfestival

Welcome to the Arthouse Edition of the FF Insight Blog! This month our film experts are diving deep into the world of experimental cinema. From the history of film cooperatives to movie lists for you to expand yourself with at home. Check it out now!  https://www.festivalformula.com/insight

Slate Filmmaker Alli Sadegiani reminds us why a well-administered film festival is a thing of beauty. #ReelOpinions  Check out Alli's film THE VIEW on its festival run, and find out more about Alli's work here: https://www.allimator.com/about/

Kabir rushes toward a dinner with his friends. But when he arrives, a comment causes him to disassociate from the entire night. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 17-min drama LIKE THAT DVD SCREENSAVER from director Aditya Raj Gureja.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/like-that-dvd-screensaver

Dutch-Indonesian filmmaker Bear Damen spent most of his early summers sailing with his father around the world.  Check out Bear's Slate Film SYNTHESIZE ME on its festival journey right now!  Find out more about Bear's work: https://beardamen.com/

Welcome to the FF Slate to the 21-min documentary IF YOU REALLY LOVE ME, OUTLIVE ME - The musical love story of Texas rockabilly legend Dale Watson and wife Celine Lee - from directors Alejandro Ruax and Saskia d'Altena. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/if-you-really-love-me-outlive-me

IndyCar World Champion and Indy 500 winner Will Power returns to his hometown. A long-buried sibling rivalry with his comedian brother resurfaces. Welcome to the Slate to the 18-min drama RETURN OF THE CHAMP from director Damien Power.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/return-of-the-champ

Tonight Esther and Katie headed to the Earls Court International Film Festival gala. Short films, good chats, and fish and chips. What more could you want? ❤️💚💙🎬🐟🍟 #festivalformulaontour #shortfilm #filmfestival #earlscourtinternationalfilmfestival

In 1929 Hollywood, fading silent star Lorna Harper struggles to stay relevant. When a young actress threatens her place in the spotlight, Lorna spirals. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 13-min drama TALKIES from director Sonya Kanevskaya.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/talkies

Need a quick laugh?  Check out these reccs of comedy short films, brought to you courtesy of Eli Lewy and Sara Neidorf from Final Girls Berlin, and filmmaker Ben. S. Hyland.  Then check out the full list on the Insight Blog: https://www.festivalformula.com/insight/recommendedcomedyshorts

Burdened by isolation and loneliness, a college freshman follows ghostly signals—and finds the courage to lift what’s buried inside him. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 20-min drama/fantasy BURIED ABOVE GROUND from director Anna Chi. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/buried-above-ground

Two dead bodies form an unexpected connection, posing an answer to one of life’s most important questions: What happens when we die? Welcome to the FF Slate to the 17-min drama THE IMPENDING WHITE LIGHT from director Ben Wicks. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/the-impending-white-light

Thanks to Moviemaker Magazine for including FF's Katie and Ian Bignell on the panel to pick their 25 coolest film festivals.  Check out the full list here: https://www.moviemaker.com/coolest-film-festivals-panel-of-cool-2025/

In the shadow of World War I, newlywed Ruth Mallory witnesses her husband George's insatiable ambition for adventure. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 10-min biopic BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH from director Michael Peel. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/between-heaven-and-earth

When a failing actress refuses to sell her likeness for AI, she’s pursued by a perfect copy of herself. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 10-min drama THE VISITOR from director Elliot Kealoha Blanchard. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/the-visitor

In a care home, a woman breaks restraint to taste a forbidden humbug, bringing ecstasy. But by not leaving the required offering, she summons a creature. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 10-min comedy THE HUMBUG from filmmaker Cole Paviour.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/the-humbug