CenterFrame Selects: Prano Bailey-Bond
Acclaimed director Prano Bailey-Bond Handpicks Her Favourite Short Films
Breaking into the film industry is no easy feat. Filmmakers and storytellers deserve every opportunity to gain recognition and support for their work. That’s precisely why we created CenterFrame Selects: to offer filmmakers the endorsement of a respected industry professional, helping their work reach key decision-makers and wider audiences.
For each edition of Selects, we compile a longlist of the twenty most outstanding submissions. From this longlist, a guest curator, always an established filmmaker or industry figure, selects their personal top ten. Of those ten, five are spotlighted in a live event, where the curator delves deeper into what makes them exceptional.
As part of the reward, each Top Five film's writer, director, producer, and cinematographer will receive a six-month CenterFrame Pro membership, which includes access to exclusive networking events and heightened visibility within our industry network. These creators will also be invited as special guests to the CenterFrame Industry Showcase, where their work will be presented to an audience of key industry professionals. Additionally, the top ten finalists each receive a three-month CenterFrame Pro membership and dedicated promotion across our social media platforms.
Our latest edition featured acclaimed director Prano Bailey-Bond, best known for her award-winning horror film CENSOR (2021), which premiered at Sundance and Berlinale and has been hailed as one of the best British films of the 21st century. Prano joined us as this edition’s curator, handpicking her favourite works from the submissions. Her top five selections span a range of genres and styles, reflecting both classical storytelling and bold innovation.
Let’s take a closer look at her top five picks:
BALD - watch here
“A surreal, hilarious, and surprisingly deep short,” said Prano. Bald is the film you didn’t know you needed—until you watch it. With an utterly unique premise, unforgettable characters, and otherworldly vibes, it tells the heartwarming story of how the world’s baldest man accidentally starts a moon-worshipping cult in a South Wales social club. Written by Luke Bather and John Tucker, and directed and edited by the multi-talented Bather, Bald was also recently showcased at our Industry Showcase.
BOY IN THE BACK SEAT - watch here
Written and directed by Scott Pickup, the shocking Boy in the Back Seat is an emotionally charged, visually gripping short film set in 1986, It follows a boy left in a car while his volatile father handles “business” in a nearby pub. Prano called it “a truly standout film,” praising its powerful performances and transformative cinematography. A testament to how expansive storytelling can be—even in confined spaces.
THE COMEBACK - watch here
Venturing into psychological horror, The Comeback is directed by Gabriele Toresani and written by Luca Vassalini and Stefano Lazzati. Prano highlighted the “impressive performances, cinematography, design, and editing,” all of which come together to create a chilling cinematic experience. Beginning with a couple rehearsing a TV presentation, the film unfolds into a disturbing and memorable exploration of the fractured mind of its female lead.
A DIFFERENT PLACE - watch here
Set in the quiet intimacy of a hotel room, A Different Place follows Evelyn, a woman in her forties, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and identity. Directed by Sophie Black and written by Tommy Draper and Z. Igbe, the short shines with emotional depth and restrained power. Prano commended its “striking efficiency and depth,” calling it a compelling character study crafted by a director with a strong and sensitive vision.
GOBSTOPPER - watch here
Rounding out the top five is Gobstopper, written and directed by Jo Lane. This grounded and tender short portrays two sisters navigating the challenges of their mother’s alcoholism—and the complexities of maternal love. Prano applauded the director’s “unique sensibility, shifting effortlessly between tenderness and intensity,” and described the lead actress as “captivating and clearly a talent to watch.”
These five extraordinary films weren’t alone. Here are the other five short films that completed Prano’s top ten shortlist, along with her thoughts:
The Birdwatcher - “rooted in mystery and blurring the line between folk horror and sci-fi, this genre-bending short really lured me in—then launched me beyond time and space with excellent FX. A unique and fascinating watch.”
Changeling - “it expresses so much about motherhood with barely a spoken word. Visceral and brilliantly gory FX sequences make this short truly shine.”
Decksdark - “in just 16 minutes, ‘Decksdark’ delivers an immense, absorbing story—powered by striking sound, sharp cinematography, and a lead performance that draws us into the film’s epic ideas with impressive ease.”
Friends Online - “I loved the dark humour of this short—a brilliant, simple idea, excellently executed, with delightfully slimy performances to match! Wonderful!”
Nervous Ellie - “a clever and tightly constructed short, with a climactic moment that made me gasp—equal parts weird, hilarious, and strangely beautiful.”
Curious about the longlist? Here are the standout titles that also earned a place in this edition of CenterFrame Selects:
The Abnormal Defect of Moral Control
A Brief Mental Lapse With Mallory Kane
Are you a filmmaker looking for your next big opportunity? Want your work to be recognised and endorsed by industry leaders? Submissions are now open for the next CenterFrame Selects, curated by Adam Randall, acclaimed director of all six episodes of Slow Horses Season 4, and now Executive Producer on Season 6. He also co-created and Executive Produced IN FLIGHT (currently in production for Channel 4) and is known for directing NIGHT TEETH (starring Sydney Sweeney and Alfie Allen) and I SEE YOU (starring Oscar-winner Helen Hunt), which premiered at SXSW and is currently streaming on Netflix.
We can’t wait to see what you’ve created. Submit your short film now and maybe next time it’ll be your work we’re celebrating.