This year we are very proud to be presenting a programme of films produced by students in UCL’s Department of Anthropology. This selection of work shows the ambition and broad scope of expression demonstrated by our students. Through a range of themes, these young directors reveal themselves to be strong and dynamic new voices in non-fiction.

SHORTS: Session 1

Films exploring the fluid boundary between humankind and nature. 

Cycle

Samuel Newman | 2022 | UK | 8′ | digital | sound (no dialogue)

The devastating environmental impact of single-use plastic is shown in this journey from oilfield to seabed.

Eden’s Echo

Jaye Abhau | 2022 | UK | 10′ | digital | English spoken

By reinterpreting the Fall of Man, the duality between civilization and wilderness is brought into question. Can we better frame our relationship with nature?

Coasting

Caoimhe Durkan | 2021 | UK | 19′ | digital | English spoken

The bond between place and memory is brought to the fore as the effects of coastal erosion begin to threaten a Norfolk woman’s connection to her past.

Quintessentially Charles

Isaac Farley | 2022 | UK | 9′ | digital | English spoken

Charles, a Sussex farmer, lives many seemingly contradictory lives. In this exploration of space, different aspects of Charles’ personality are revealed in three contrasting settings.

Toofaan (The Storm)

Mehr Singh | 2021 | UK | 21′ | digital | Hindi & English spoken, English subtitles

Victims of Delhi’s brutal second wave of COVID-19 share their deeply personal accounts. Stories of survival, remembrance, and resilience emerge.

SHORTS: Session 2

Films that explore subversive ideas that challenge tradition and authority.

Praise the Duck Blood

Shaw Xiao | 2022 | UK | 8′ | digital | Mandarin spoken, English subtitles

A young Chinese girl’s desire to eat her favourite dish comes into conflict with her faith.

Radio On

Tabatha Vaughan | 2022 | UK | 10′ | digital | English spoken

A celebration of the ubiquitous nature of radio and its enduring allure in an increasingly digital world.

London’s Rocketship Launchers

Julia Mervis | 2022 | UK | 8′ | digital | English spoken, English subtitles

The filmmaker sets out to uncover a mystery plaguing the London skyline.

The Talk

Lamees Almakkawy | 2022 | UK | 7′ | digital | Arabic spoken, English subtitles

Dr Wafaa Eltantawy creates a space for Arab women to learn to connect with and talk about their bodies.

Endless

Zenglin Yang | 2021 | UK | 11′ | digital | Mandarin spoken, English subtitles

The filmmaker reflects on his experience taking the rigorous and oppressively competitive college entrance exams in China.

No Vaccine for Me Then

Tom O’Neill | 2021 | UK | 20′ | digital | English spoken

A sensitive and perceptive inquiry into the oft contradictory (and sometimes absurd) world of the ‘anti-vax’ movement.

All of the films in this programme were produced by students on Ethnographic and Documentary Film (Practical) MA and Creative Documentary by Practice MFA at UCL Anthropology.

For more information on the programmes please visit our website.