London’s most creative short film celebration returns with bold stories, surreal animation, and new voices you won’t forget.
Shoreditch might be London’s cultural engine, but this September, all roads lead to Hoxton. The Smalls Film Festival 2025 lands at Curzon Hoxton on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September, delivering a genre-bending, soul-punching, joyfully chaotic celebration of short films. From Oscar-nominated documentaries to surreal animations and doppelgänger comedies, this isn’t just a festival — it’s a full-on cinematic detonation.
Now in its 18th edition, The Smalls has become a global magnet for storytellers who dare to go deep in under 20 minutes. If you’re bored of overblown blockbusters or algorithm-curated series, this is your antidote. Think fearless filmmaking, boundary-pushing visuals, and emotions that actually slap.
Oh, and did we mention? Tickets are only £5 per screening.
→ For a full overview of local highlights, explore our guide on what to do in Shoreditch.
London’s Most Dynamic Short Film Festival Hits Hoxton
Short films have always been the rebel underdogs of cinema. They don’t just punch above their weight — they reshape the ring. At Smalls Film Festival 2025, each screening is a curated, feature-length programme of short works that throw you head-first into new worlds, ideas, and emotions. The eight programmes span student film, animation, comedy, drama, music video, documentary, and a politically-charged category aptly titled Change.
It’s a lineup that’s part film school, part fever dream — and 100% London energy.
Saturday’s Line-Up: Comedy, Chaos, and Emotional Gut Punches
The festival kicks off with Student Film (12.30pm) — a power-charged showcase of fresh voices exploring identity, sisterhood, climate anxiety, and strange rituals. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a first album that actually lives up to the hype.
Then comes Animation 1 (2.30pm), and it’s wonderfully weird. Balding brothers. Cursed dates. Cosmic cravings. Think surreal chaos on the streets of Prague and beyond, with visuals that would make Studio Ghibli sweat.
Next, Comedy (4.25pm) unleashes awkward romances, unsolicited choirs, and one very angry telemarketer. Highlights include Patti Harrison in Caller Number Nine and Michael Gandolfini in Tea. If laughter is therapy, this screening should be covered by the NHS.
Saturday closes with Drama (6.15pm) — and no, we don’t mean petty arguments in Pret. These shorts tackle love, loss, political unrest, and seismic emotional shifts with a level of raw intensity that demands silence (and maybe a tissue or three).
Sunday’s Showcase: From Techno Dreams to Real-World Reckonings
Start your Sunday with Animation 2 (12.30pm), an abstract deep-dive into transformation, identity, and connection. Expect everything from coastal ghosts to clubland awakenings — no rules, just vibes.
Then it’s time to plug into Music Video (2.30pm), a genre-defying visual trip featuring work for artists like Sam Smith and A.G. Cook. We’re talking talking insects, alien love affairs, and sculptors losing control — all backed by thumping soundtracks and hyper-stylised cinematography.
Feeling grounded again? Not for long. Change (4.00pm) takes a hard look at the real world, from oil spills and climate collapse to youth unrest and protest. These aren’t lectures — they’re visceral, beautifully made calls to action.
Finally, close the weekend with Documentary (5.50pm) — a collection of true stories that feel more intimate than your group chat. From Tokyo classrooms to influencers raised on camera, these films explore what it means to be seen and heard in today’s endlessly performative world.
A Festival for Film Lovers, Dreamers and Rebels
The Smalls Film Festival isn’t some industry-insider networking fest (although, let’s be honest, some deals probably will be made over espresso martinis). It’s about storytelling in its purest form — short, sharp, and soul-shaking. Whether you’re a die-hard cinephile, a casual culture fan, or someone who just wants a break from Marvel fatigue, this weekend promises fresh perspectives, bold voices, and a glimpse into the future of filmmaking.
And let’s not forget the venue. Curzon Hoxton is the perfect place to host this indie renaissance — stylish, smart, and right in the heart of East London’s most creative neighbourhood.