The polar bear, known as Ursus Maritimus or sea bear has become one of the most recognised symbols of climate change as a result of their natural habitat, the Arctic drastically melting away and sea levels rising as a consequence. With estimations placing the number of polar bears at 26,000 worldwide, the risk of this number dwindling further persists. Alongside climate change, other contributing factors impacting the polar bear’s existence include – commercial activities, conflicts with people, pollution, disease, inadequate habitat protection and the potantial for over-harvest in smaller or declining polar bear populations (Polar Bears International). An exploration of this disheartening reality, Disney animator, writer and director Aaron Blaise presents Oscar 2026 Qualifying short film Snow Bear, a literal, as well as metaphorical tale about a lonely polar bear’s search for connection amid crisis.
With Body Horror’s re-emergence on the world’s stage, thanks recently to Coralie Fargeat’s award winning cautionary tale The Substance as a cinematic niche not to be reckoned with, the subject of human biology is increasingly becoming the focus of our 21st century lives. Social media a prism heightening what it is to supposedly achieve ‘perfection’, and the intentional omission of the horrors that lay beneath this. Team this with the alarm bell being rung about the state of our planet, and we’re presented with insidious issues of microplastics and climate very gradually intruding on our way of life. Post this year’s HollyShorts Film Festival which took place between 7th to 17th August, writer and director Guy Trevellyan had his short Body Horror film Plastic Surgery Screened at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre. A metaphorical piece examining the way plastic pollution is infiltrating our health, Guy tells us more about what inspired him to produce the film, establishing his production company Nice Guy Pictures and what he’s learned from creating the film.
We live in a time of tremendous change, sadly conflict an indicator of the hostility harboured by century or decade-long tensions. 3 years post the ongoing Russian-Ukranian war and the impact of this conflict echoes through Europe and beyond. Lives devastated and changed forever. Made in collaboration with Ukranian communities, BAFTA Award-Winning short Film Rock, Paper, Scissors centres on a father and son who run a makeshift frontline hospital until their world is violently upended by the arrival of Russian troops. Ahead of the film’s screening at this year’s HollyShorts Film Festival on Saturday 16th August, producer Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer tells us more about exploring the film’s immediate reality further, how his production company Who’s Here? Productions approaches creating films and what he’s learned from creating Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Forced to flee the place you call home is a devastating reality for millions, separated from those you love the most, and faced with the prospect of survival a traumatic circumstance daily shaping how the world moves. Marking their HollyShorts Festival debut this August, writer-director duo Salvatore Scarpa and Max Burgoyne-Moore present live action short Largo, the story of a young Syrian refugee seeking reconnection with family. Set to take to the Oscar Qualifying film circuit, Salvatore and Max tell us more about the film’s pertinent topic, crafting the film and developing an outreach program with displaced refugees
2017 witnessed theatre company Crying in the Wilderness perform their work Invisible Man at Certain Blacks’ Harlem Festival, a pertinent production about marginalisation initially performed at the Decibel Performing Arts Festival at the Manchester Royal National College of Music back in 2011. Eight years on, Certain Blacks’ and Crying in the Wilderness reunite as the latter present work-in-progress Best Friends – a work following two successful businessmen who check in to a retreat centre to celebrate their last 24hrs as friends, only to bring to the fore revelations about their pasts at this year’s Afro Futures Festival taking place at Rich Mix from 6th to 9th March. Ahead of the festival, Creative Director Paul Morris tells us more about how the company have approached creating the work-in-progress, what’s been learned from creating it and future plans for the show.
Courtesy of Irven Lewis.
An SEND Advocate and Empowerment Coach – creative Oneness Sankara brings her years of knowledge supporting SEND families, as well as her own personal journey to highlight the story of a British African Caribbean mother supporting a child with Down Syndrome with work-in-progress T21 Alchemy. Playing as part of Certain Blacks’ Afro Futures Festival which takes places from 6th to 9th March, Oneness Sankara tells us more about exploring the show’s topic further, her roles as a creative/SEND Advocate/Empowerment Coach and what’s been learned from creating the work in progress.
Citing the legendary jazz saxophonist and band leader John Coltrane as an inspiration, experimental saxophonist Sean Khan has too inspired others and helped to shape the musical landscape with various albums, showcasing Sean’s versatility as a musician, experimenting with Broken-Beats, Jazz and Brazilian rhythms. His recent endeavour – an album with The Modern Jazz and Folk Ensemble released in 2024 of the same name delving into the rich tradition of folk music. Due to perform with the ensemble on Thursday 6th March at Rich Mix as part of celebrated organisation Certain Blacks’ Afro Futures Festival, which takes place from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th March, Sean tells us more about what to expect from his curated set.
Synonymous with the world of entertainment – Soho, situated in the heart of London, is home to an array of integral arts institutions such as Soho Theatre, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and The Arts Club to name but a few. A hub for the creative mind, the industry has laid firm roots there for decades. Returning for their 5th year this January, the Soho London International Film Festival continues on with the locality’s artsy tradition – hosting a vast range of short films with stars including celebrated actors Mark Rylance, Riz Ahmed, Phil Davies and singer Toyah Wilcox all having created work, as well as emerging artists showcasing their craft. Taking place at De Lane Lea / Warner Bros Building from Thursday 23rd until Sunday 26th January, the festival will continue to champion original work, and will culminate in an awards ceremony whereby 16 categories will be acknowledged. Ahead of the event, festival founder and director Liz Farahadi tells us more about this vital platform and offers advice to anyone looking to submit work in the future!
Over 30 years ago, Yugoslavia, which consisted of 6 republics – Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia crumbled, the rise of ethno nationalism disbanding the six nations gradually post 1991, with each republic gaining independence and devastation resulting in the loss of lives. Bosnia and Herzegovina the victims of ethnic cleansing impacting the Bosnian Muslim population. Drawing on this harrowing part of the nation’s history, writer and Director Nebojsa Slijepcevic presents The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent, a short film based aboard a passenger train in 1993, travelling from Belgrade to Bar when tragically intercepted by paramilitary forces in an ethnic cleansing operation. The film focusing particularly on a man who ‘could remain silent’ or speak up against the autrocity. Currently shortlisted as an Oscar contender, Nebojsa tells us more about exploring this subject matter further and what he’s learned from creating the film.
With the charts currently an ever evolving reality by the week, with the likes of iTunes and Spotify shaping the way we consume music, Pop music’s journey within the first couple of decades into the new millennium has been fascinating to watch – pop the foundation of our mainstream musical landscape. Making their mark almost 30 years ago now with their confident, authentic, boisterous brand of pop, Five dominated the 90s UK Pop scene, hits such as “Keep On Movin” and “We Will Rock You” staples of their tenure at the top of the charts. Returning this Christmas to embark on the The Biggest 90s and 00s Disco Arena shows on Friday 13thand Saturday 14that OVO London and OVO Glasgow as well as the Kubix Arena Tour from 20thto 22ndDecember in Aberdeen, Leeds and Hull, band member Scott Robinson tells us more about what to expect.