RADIANT CUTS –  INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM PROGRAMME 2

Sharp and unapologetically queer, this international lineup of short films slices through convention to reveal stories that shine with truth, defiance, and desire.

FORGIVE ME FATHER - Grac Talbot (UK)

‘Forgive me Father’ tells the stories of two places at different points in time with the the protagonist being the factor which holds them together, through the lens of sapphic desire.

One night whilst at the club our protagonist recalls a memory of preparing for a confession, locked away behind the school cubical door, as well as interactions with their best friend from high school on the same day. Between two toilet cubicles; a school bathroom, and a club toilet, they experience the highs and lows of love, loss and religious guilt at both points in time. One exists as a nightmare and the other a hopeful dream however we are left questioning which is which.

EVERYTHING IS SO BORING - Federico Cianferoni (Italy)

Lupo is a queer millennial filled with doubts and restlessness. He’s bored, frustrated, and unable to find peace. Meri tries to help, but when he meets Tancredi, everything breaks. Lupo feels inadequate and not right. He knows he’s not normal. Only being together makes him feel safe. (The director of this short will be present to introduce the screening).

SU TWICE - Agnese Làposi (Switzerland)

Su, a young Italian gardener, works in Switzerland. One morning she is summoned by her boss to defend herself against an accusation of theft at work. Su recounts the day's events, in which she became familiar with her older and mysterious colleague Lore. As the interview with the boss proceeds, Su realises that in order to protect herself she has to tell a different version of the actual events.

THE PRINCESS AND THE PEACOCK - Daniel Baker-Wells (Germany)

Mona is a 22 year old trans girl from a small village in France. She puts needles attached to peacock feathers in her skin, under bright lights, late at night. She bleeds, half naked, in front of small crowds of people. Sometimes they faint whilst watching her.

Why would she do this? How did she learn to do it? And why would someone want to watch?

The Princess and the Peacock is a rare and intimate glimpse into a scene that hasn't been shown on film before- 'freak-show' performances amongst Berlin's FLINTA (femme, lesbian, intersex, non-binary, trans, a-gender) community. It is a film about courage, beauty and how to create your life. A film made by and with the FLINTA community, it is filled with ink and skin, and desire and beauty, asking us to look deeper, and confronting us with our own desires and expectations.

MX. - Wwenen Lusa (UK)

“Mx.” is a title used as a gender-neutral alternative to Mr. or Ms., reflecting inclusivity in gender identity. This film delves into the tension between gender identity and societal expectations, highlighting the quest for selfhood amidst oppression. Through the lens of diverse, non-binary lesbians, it showcases their struggles with physical acceptance, cultural pressures, and homophobia. The narrative emphasizes the symbolic power of costumes and dance as tools for inner awakening and liberation, illustrating the beauty and strength found in diverse identities. By following the journeys of these individuals, "Mx." challenges societal norms and questions how the fashion industry can lead the way in accepting varied gender expressions, ultimately portraying the ongoing fight for identity acceptance and understanding.

HOLLY ROLLERS - Grace Pritchard (US)

In the Deep South, a love between queer-presenting Eve and her religious best friend struggles to blossom inside the confines of a tight-knit church.

GODSPEED - Klāvs Liepiņš (Iceland)

The short film Godspeed is an introspective exploration of memory, love, and closure between two men, set against a decaying post-Soviet landscape. The narrative is not defined by conflict or resolution but by the profound and peaceful space between them—an unspoken understanding of what has passed and what must be let go. There is no urgency, only moments of stillness—where the past is honored without clinging, and the act of closure becomes an intimate, almost sacred gesture. It is a meditation on the fragile nature of relationships and the power of letting go.