Waiting for the 42

Director: Paul Gray

Year: 2017

A coming of age drama set in Edinburgh about the interwoven and unravelling lives of teenage daughter Violet, and her two mothers. When Violet and her adoptive mum Cathy unexpectedly run into Violet’s estranged birth-mum Zoe, the mothers clash. As Violet struggles to navigate this complicated relationship, becoming increasingly confused and angry, Cathy struggles to help her. The meeting also triggers something in Zoe, who decides to change the direction of her life. She returns to Edinburgh, not only a city that holds dark memories of a difficult past for her, but it’s the place where Violet lives. Violet and Zoe reconnect secretly online, but Cathy finds out and brings all communications to an abrupt end. Violet rebels against her and as Zoe self-destructively spirals out of control, Cathy must urgently try to find a way back in to Violet’s life.

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.