This programme showcases this year’s Oscar-nominated live action shorts: five short films from around the world that represent some of the best new filmmakers and emerging talent.

From Israel, Switzerland, Tibet and the UK, we follow the stories of a helpline centre worker’s life-changing call, a brief and intriguing encounter, a nomadic photographer’s wanderings, a clash of cultures and unlikely friendship, and two brothers’ adoption of baby chicks. 

Aya 

Two strangers unexpectedly meet at an airport. He mistakenly assumes her to be his assigned driver. She, enchanted by the random encounter, does not hurry to prove him wrong.

Israel/France 2012 Dir Mihal Brazis, Oded Binnun 39 min

+Boogaloo and Graham

Jamesy and Malachy are over the moon when their dad presents them with two baby chicks. Declaring themselves vegetarian and dreaming of running a chicken farm, the two boys are in for a shock when their parents announce that big changes are coming to the family. Starring Martin McCann,Charlene McKenna, Riley Hamilton and Aaron Lynch.

UK 2014 Dir Michael Lennox 14 min

+Butter Lamp (La Lampe au Beurre de Yak)

A young itinerant photographer and his assistant offer to photograph some Tibetan nomads in front of various backgrounds. 

France/China 2013 Dir Hu Wei 15 min

+Parvaneh

A young Afghan immigrant travels to Zurich, where she encounters a punk named Emily. 

Switzerland 2012 Dir Talkhon Hamzavi 25 min

+The Phone Call

Heather (Sally Hawkins) is a shy woman who works at a helpline call centre. When she receives a phone call from a mystery man (Jim Broadbent), she has no idea that the encounter will change her life forever. 

UK 2013 Dir Mat Kirkby 21 min