The Borrowers

Director: Peter Hewitt

Year: 2002

From the day Patrick Smash was born he has intrigued doctors, parents and teachers alike with what can only be described as a special gift. His parents tried hard to be kind, tried to accommodate their unusual child but before too long they lost their sense of humour. Shunned by his own family, Patrick's only real friend is fellow scapegoat and child prodigy, Alan Allen. Together they dream of a day when they will not be bullied, when they can pursue their dreams, which in Patrick's case is to become a spaceman. Patrick soon learns to the surprise of many that he can turn his gift into a special talent, and with Alan he wins a non-assisted flight competition. Then, under the tutelage of Sir John Osgood, the world's second best opera singer, Patrick travels the world, secretly filling in the high notes for Osgood. A conspiracy that the world's leading opera star, Placido Placeedo, is about to expose when Patrick unwittingly causes his demise. Not only is Patrick denounced by the world's media, but in a further twist he is sentenced to death for his crime! His only hope lies in his true friend Alan and the clever people at the US Space Centre who eventually sit up and take a closer look at this extraordinary boy.

Director: Henry Worsley

Year: 2027

Italy, 1866. Michele Di Gè, a young shepherd, leads a monotonous life, but dreams of the bandit-filled mountains on the horizon. When he helps his friend flee conscription, Michele sees an opportunity to leave home and prove himself as a man, joining a band of brutal outlaws. But this is not the adventure Michele bargained for – and behind every myth, there hides a stranger and more terrible truth. Shot by an international crew of young independent filmmakers, this film transports you to Italy's own Wild West -- a world never seen before on screen.

Director: Nataša Cordeaux

Year: 2026

Bill, a timid and overworked Brit, impulsively books a beach escape in the hope of unwinding. On arrival, he's greeted by a mysterious Balkan baba and follows her into the flat of her daughter, Sunny - an eccentric former travel agent. “Welcome to paradise, my darling,” Sunny beams, rebranding their small home into a VIP holiday experience. Out of his depth, Bill is soon commandeered by Sunny’s persuasive upselling and is roped into a unique beach excursion - pay per hour. Each day brings another increasingly absurd encounter: a coffee-cup fortune becomes a massage sales pitch, while an innocent nap takes a strange turn. Yet amidst the oddness, Sunny and Baka’s boundless hospitality and growing fondness for having a man around the house begin to make Bill feel at home. On his final morning, Bill discovers that his bed is actually Baka's bed. Sitting together on the balcony, he confesses his deep dark secret: he’s never been on holiday before and worries he’s doing it wrong. “What a silly thing to worry about,” Sunny says. Bill decides it’s a great day for the beach. Business is back on as Sunny and Baka bicker about how many sandwiches they can sell.