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Shorts Programme: Liminal Traces + Q&A (15)

Chronic Youth Film Festival 2026

,Cinema 3
Two boys holding hands

Clinging onto the self and community in times of change, this programme features experimental and narrative films where the personal and political collide, revealing them to be forever interlinked. 

In times of unprecedented change, filmmakers turn their lens inwards, taking agency in representing themselves and their communities’ stories. 

This collection of shorts explores themes of identity, conflict, and connection within culturally significant spaces. These stories remind us of the dire need to preserve our histories in a world trying to erase them. 

The programme concludes with a live Q&A session with filmmakers and artists, Dean Atta (Two Black Boys in Paradise) and Julia Kings (Elephant Families). 

Tagged with: Cinema Chronic Youth Film Festival 2026

Content warnings: Contains depictions of nudity and strong language. For more detailed content notes, please get in touch with the programmers by emailing [email protected]. 

Film information
  • Runtime   1hr 21mins

Programme

Elephant Families 

United Kingdom, 2025, Elena Escalante, 15 min 

As gentrification continues to uproot communities across South London, those who found a sense of belonging in Elephant & Castle’s shopping centre celebrate its social legacy. 

 

3350km 

Syria/France, 2024, Sara Kontar, 13 min 

A Syrian father and daughter have been separated by seven years of exile. With 3,350km between them, their only respite is their conversations on the phone. 

 

Nervous Energy  

USA, 2025, Eve Liu, 15 mins  

Determined to take bolder risks and agency over their lives, two filmmaker best-friends dump their partners in pursuit of their artistic independence. 

Here We Are  

Thailand, 2023, Chanasorn Chaikitiporn, 20 min 

Based on an interview with a former student protestor in 1976, this short contemplates the present through reflecting on the past, and how the legacy of colonisation is still alive today. 

 

Beast  

USA, 2022, Urvashi Pathania, 9 min 

A South Asian teenager grapples with their gender identity through Bharatanatyam dance in a magical realist exploration of self-expression and acceptance.  

 

Two Black Boys In Paradise  

UK, 2025, Baz Sells, 9 min 

Based on Dean Atta’s poem, this BAFTA-award winning tender animation follows two teenage boys as they embark on a journey of self-acceptance and love— defying the odds against them. 

 

Explore the programme

Cinema 3

Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue. 

Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.