Taiwan Shorts Programme

也許這個故事叫護唇膏 Inspired by Lip Balm

A comic scriptwriter is invited by a production company to adapt her short comic collection exploring diverse sexual relationships. As streaming demands shift, she is pushed to reshape it into formats ranging from half-hour episodes to one-hour dramas to one-minute shorts. Under pressure and after research trips to motels, she finally lands on what seems to be the right direction.

UK Premiere

變史術-花園紀事 The Chronicles of a Garden

A boy comes to a garden and is seduced by a man transformed by a strange flower. The strange flower man leads the boy to the entrance of a forest that appears mysterious and unknown, waiting for the boy to explore.

Europe Premiere

伏魔殿 Temple of Devilbuster

Tai-bao does not want to be the host of the Holy Mother anymore, so he flees away from the Temple of Devilbuster. Nevertheless, Tai-bao does not want to be the scapegoat of The Shane either, so he flees away from the District Prosecutors Office. However, no matter where he flees or how fast he runs, he never gets away from A-Queen’s sword. Tai-bao and A-Queen are both the reincarnations of the Devil Star, so A-Queen takes Tai-bao back to the Temple of Devilbuster, to atone his sin. However, they both find out later the Holy Mother is just using them. The main reason they are locked at the temple is to take the blames for other people’s sin, which they have never done. As a result, A-Queen helps Tai-bao to free himself from the temple, not to be a host anymore. Ironically, Tai-bao later uses A-Queen as the scapegoat, letting her face all the responsibility alone. As for him, he is on the run again, but with tears on his face, for he will never forgive himself for his actual sin this time……

UK Premiere

河裡的孩子子子子子 River Kidsssss

After a century of evolution, the river has taken on a new appearance. To adapt to this modern environment, the "River Spirit" residing in the river determined to change its form. It attempted to refine into a "human," a species with great adaptability. Dancing with the garbage in the river, which contains remnants of hormones and dopamine born of desire, the River Spirit acquired a completely new life.

Europe Premiere

島影 The Island of Us

A seed who can’t get under the sun and the shadow who needs light to exist are each other’s meaning of life. The seed makes up her mind to find a way to be with the shadow, kicking off a journey to explore this strange world.

Europe Premiere

白蟻餵食秀 Termite Feeding Show

Climate crisis, energy disasters, the fantasy of the Anthropocene, and a sci-fi fable of insect diets. Inspired by a real news story: "Termites chewing through power cables causing major blackouts in mountainous cities."To adapt to sudden ecological changes brought about by climate change, "termites" have shifted their dietary habits, turning their attention to artificial cables as a new food source. In the damp, shadowy ant tunnels, insect restaurants feature musicians playing cooking melodies while butchers handle the food (meat portions), showcasing their culinary skills with cable-based dishes. This serves both as a sacrificial offering to the gods of ecology and an act of revenge against humanity. Is this a fable of insects imagining a future diet in the face of climate disaster, or a reality show where ant-men in disguise exact revenge on humans through a feeding spectacle?

UK Premiere

There'll be a Q&A session following the screening.