EAST X EAST: A Special Programme from Suffolk Shorts

Suffolk Shorts is proud to present EAST X EAST, a curated programme of short films that spans the darkly comic, the deeply personal and the strikingly strange. From a man confronted with his own obituary to a young woman who discovers the truth beyond her bunker, these films explore what it means to face reality - however uncomfortable, uncanny or unexpected that reality turns out to be.

The selection is diverse. There's satirical bite in Obituary and Sweltan, where self-interest meets consequence, and gentle comedy in Three Wise-ish Men, which finds humour in an ancient story. Grief and identity run through Rabbit Ears and Depersonalisation Station, both unflinching in their exploration of loss and disconnection. Science fiction, magical realism and psychological thriller elements surface in Iris Protocol and Mimic, while Potwash offers a coming-of-age story with real bite, set in the pressure-cooker world of a professional kitchen.

Grounding the programme is a strong sense of place. From the Dunes turns its lens on Hemsby's coastal erosion, one of the most severe in the world, while Crossing the Earth - shot in Halesworth and Yoxford with a cast and crew drawn entirely from East Anglia - is a tender exploration of family, loss and connection to a beloved Suffolk landmark.

Together, these ten films showcase the range and ambition of contemporary short filmmaking, from homegrown East Anglian talent to stories that reach far beyond the region's borders.

EAST X EAST screens as part of Suffolk Shorts

In the seedy underbelly of 18th-century Paris, money is king. Nothing is sacred – even love itself can be bought for the right price. A native of this hedonistic underworld, Manon is caught between twin desires when she falls in love with the student Des Grieux. Steadfast and devoted, he offers the possibility of an honourable life. Yet, the riches promised by the world of Parisian society remain tempting...

Manon’s inner turmoil and struggle for survival lie at the devastating heart of Kenneth MacMillan’s 1974 adaptation of Abbé Prévost’s novel. In this signature work of The Royal Ballet, MacMillan’s nuanced understanding of human psychology makes for an unflinching look into the moral degradation of Manon’s Paris, while all its decadence and decay are brought to life through Jules Massenet’s score and Nicholas Georgiadis’s designs.