Where do actors, directors, writers and the rest spring from? Generally, not out of thin air. Short films are the tried and tested method for aspiring filmmakers, and here are our ten favourites for you to watch.
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A tour de force performance from Jim Broadbent in this outstanding film by Mike Leigh. The 23rd Earl of Leete, a British aristocrat, tells his far-from-dull life story.
A young British soldier fighting in Buenos Aires in the early 80s finds himself separated from his unit. Stumbling across a young Argentinian fighter, the two young men reach a grudging understanding.
A trio of bikers liberate an Italian motorcycle from an art collector who wants it for display only. A trashy, camp, drug-fuelled delight from director David Cronenberg.
Martin Freeman (The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy) and James Lance star in this witty tale of love lost and found, via mobile phones.
Superb, subtly affecting film about a young boy who is neglected at home and bullied at school, finally exacting revenge on his tormentors.
A young girl tries to impress her boyfriend by making her parents behave like they still madly in love with each other.
Perrine leaves the cinema after seeing Amélie - fascinated by the heroine's do-good deeds, Perrine decides to follow Amélie's example.
A beautiful, touching film about a young boy struggling to maintain a degree of normality for his family in the face of his mother's mental instability.
An eerie, atmospheric film which explores the obscure inner world of the introverted and mysterious Simone.
This atmospheric short by Asif Kapadia (The Warrior) charts the treatment of a young boy caught stealing a sheep.
