This special Q&A screening event reunites the BAFTA winning team, screenwriter Geoff Thompson, director Michael B. Clifford and producer Natasha Carlish for a screening and retrospective of their powerful trilogy of short films, made across two decades.
Join us as we watch and reflect on the acclaimed short films that earned BAFTA success for all three Midlands filmmakers and launched their film careers to new heights.
Content Advisory and Safe Space
This strand is recommended for people aged 18 or over. Organisers of the festival and the filmmakers are acutely aware of the authentic and hard-hitting nature of the films in this strand. These autobiographical short films explore themes of alcoholism and domestic abuse, depicting the emotional and physical toll as well as long-term consequences these issues can have on individuals and families. Audience discretion is advised, as the films contain scenes that may be intense and distressing for some. Organisers of the festival have ensured a safe space for anyone who feels the need to step away. Information from relevant support services will also be available for anyone who requires additional assistance.
Coventry born Geoff Thompson made his screenwriting debut with the short film Bouncer which starred Ray Winstone and Paddy Considine. Directed by Michael B. Clifford and produced by Natasha Carlish, the film went on to earn a BAFTA nomination for Best Short Film in 2003. Thompson’s next script was Brown Paper Bag, a story inspired by his brother's struggles with alcoholism, which ultimately led to his passing in 1999. To bring this script to the screen, Thompson re-teamed with Clifford and Carlish, with Carlish personally financing the production. Together, the trio captured lightning in a bottle for the second time with a short film so powerful, it earned them another BAFTA nomination in the space of a year, which they would go on to win in the Best Short Film category.
Rounding off the evening will be a preview screening of their latest film, Bardo: A Rogue and Peasant Slave (2025) which tells the story of a doorman who wants to write about his life - but it becomes painfully clear that his nearest and dearest have the power to make or break him.
Following each film, the filmmakers will take to the stage for an intimate Q&A session, offering audiences the chance to delve deeper into their creative process, the challenges of independent filmmaking and the lived experiences that have shaped their lives and work over the years.
Expect behind-the-scenes insights and untold stories. Whether you’re a film enthusiast, an aspiring storyteller or simply curious about the evolution of British short films, this event promises to be an unmissable evening of cinema, conversation and inspiration from three master storytellers.
The films will be shown in chronological order and will be:
Bouncer (2002)
Brown Paper Bag (2003)
Bardo: A Rogue and Peasant Slave (2025)