Industry Showcase July 2025
CenterFrame's Storytellers Meet the Industry at the Garden Cinema in Central London.
This week in London, CenterFrame lit up the British film industry with its latest Industry Showcase, presented by Tysers Live and SMB, a buzzing celebration of bold new voices in short filmmaking. Once again, five exceptional shorts, crafted by members of the CenterFrame community, captivated an audience of producers, development execs, and agents from across film and TV, including BBC Studios, Seachlight Pictures, StudioCanal, Picturehouse, Casarotto Ramsay, and many more, to discover the next great voices in our industry.
For the selected filmmakers, it was a rare and powerful platform: a chance to share their work directly with the people who can help boost their careers. CenterFrame PRO Members enjoyed complimentary access to screenings and networking, and filmmakers are already being invited to submit their work for the next Industry Showcase, scheduled for November.
Now, let’s shine a spotlight on the five unique short films that lit up our most recent Showcase.
TEA AND BISCUITS - watch here
Kicking things off with a burst of charm and absurdity, Tea and Biscuits, written and directed by Ryan Watt, is a sharply crafted comedy that delights in the unexpected. Beautifully shot and full of personality, the film follows the mild despair of Harry, who calls on Kate to help solve a bizarre problem: Tom keeps freezing. In just four minutes, this delightfully oddball short flips our expectations with impeccable comic timing and a dash of eccentricity. It’s witty, surprising, and utterly original.
A BEAR IN THE WOODS - watch here
Then came the wildly inventive A Bear in the Woods, a horror-comedy hybrid written and directed by Andrew Laurich that cleverly explores the modern dating scene (with a twist). When a hungry bear interrupts a couple’s camping trip, their encounter quickly becomes a metaphorical (and literal) test of gender expectations and survival instincts. With its biting humor, striking visuals, and an outrageously original premise, this film pushes boundaries in all the right ways, leaving the audience both laughing and squirming.
GOBSTOPPER - watch here
Next on the lineup was Gobstopper, a grounded and heartfelt drama by writer-director Jo Lane. Centering on two sisters grappling with their mother’s alcoholism, the film offers a powerful portrait of complicated love and emotional resilience. Told through the eyes of a young girl who slowly begins to understand that a mother’s care isn’t always shown in ways we expect, the short delivers raw performances and an authentic emotional pulse. With a subtle yet commanding directorial style, Lane crafts a moving story that lingers well after the final frame.
DO AS I SAY - watch here
Our fourth selection, Do As I Say, brings us into a quieter, more introspective space. Written and directed by Ana Pio, this elegantly constructed drama follows a disillusioned piano teacher wrestling with the ghosts of her past and the student who unexpectedly mirrors her younger self. As regret and aspiration collide, the story unfolds with emotional nuance and beautifully restrained performances. Pio’s film resonates with anyone who’s ever faced the conflict between the life they imagined and the one they ended up living. It’s tender, melancholic, and deeply human.
NERVOUS ELLIE - watch here
Closing the showcase on a haunting note was Nervous Ellie, a standout from writer-director David Yorke. In this uniquely stylized horror short, we meet Ellie, painfully shy and on the verge of her first real date with Danni. What begins as an awkward romantic encounter soon spirals into something far more disturbing, as Ellie’s inner world explodes outward in shocking, surreal ways. With razor-sharp direction, a bold visual language, and unforgettable special effects, Nervous Ellie is a startling reminder of how anxiety can shape and distort our most vulnerable moments.
We couldn’t be prouder of this incredible selection of short films, and judging by the audience reaction, we weren’t the only ones blown away. Guests raved about the creativity and calibre of the lineup, with many already marking their calendars for the next edition in November. If you missed previous screenings and want to discover more amazing filmmakers, you can watch them on the Films Page on CenterFrame.
Feeling inspired? This is your chance. Submit your short film and take the spotlight at our next Industry Showcase. The stage is set. We’re just waiting for your story.