This is England

In an increasingly formatted audiovisual world, film festivals are fabulous oases of discovery. Amateur and enlightened cinema-goers come to quench their thirst for originality, diversity and freshness. And what better way to multiply experiences than with short films? This is England returns with its kaleidoscope of forms, genres, subjects and treatments, all in a joyous atmosphere and with the same desire to shake up the codes. Yes, the United Kingdom is far more than just Queen’s English, five o’clock scones and double-decker buses! It’s a nation with multiple identities and accents; with a complex history, many episodes of which escape our school textbooks. It’s a country with a pop, rock, punk and reggae sound that supports creativity and doesn’t shy away from controversial issues, however delicate they may be to tackle.

Far from algorithms, bending the neck of stereotypes, and as close as possible to the people and issues that make up our society, the films in the 2025 selection speak, in every tone, of difference, singularity and dialogue. And you’ll be able to talk to the directors, producers and actors present to discuss their films. This year, the This is England festival will once again welcome almost 50 films, divided into six programmes, including one dedicated to young audiences and competing for a new prize. The jury is British and is made up of former prize-winners, some of whom have had their films shortlisted for the BAFTA and/or the Oscars. The categories of films to be discovered for this 2025 edition:

• Fiction
• Animation
• Documentary

The festival reaches out to the general public as well as to young audiences and secondary school students.

Opening night of the festival

Saturday 15 November at 8pm, Omnia The film URCHIN by Harris Dickinson, presented in the Official Competition 2025 of the Cannes Film Festival and winner of the Best Actor in a Certain Look 2025, will be shown as a preview (national release planned for 2026). Synopsis: Mike lives on the streets of London. He goes from odd job to petty theft, until the day he goes to prison. When he gets out of prison, with the help of social services, he tries to get his life back on track by fighting his old demons.

Closing night of the festival

Saturday 22 November at 8pm, Kinepolis After the announcement of the 2025 awards, the public will discover the film FOUR MOTHERS by Darren Thornton. Synopsis: In Dublin, Edward, an introverted novelist with a big heart, is finally on the verge of success. But with a prestigious book tour on the horizon, he has to look after four colourful old ladies – including his own mother – for a weekend. Between improbable situations and moving revelations, this unexpected cohabitation could well change their lives.

Special screening session

Sunday 23 November at 4pm, Omnia and at 5pm, Kinepolis Attend the screening of the films awarded Best Fiction Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Animated Film, Best Performance, Audience Award, School Award.

Once again this year, the festival will be welcoming guests for MasterClasses:

• On 19 November at 2pm at the Hôtel de la Région, a round table for professionals, in collaboration with Normandie Images, on “Film music composition on both sides of the Channel”.In the presence of Christopher Austin, British film music conductor, composer and arranger, and Vincent Blanchard, author, composer and performer from Rouen, winner of the 2019 Cesar award.
• On 19 November at the Hôtel de la Région, at 4.30pm, a MasterClass with Christopher Austin, a great name in contemporary classical music in the UK. He will be sharing his experience, methods and anecdotes about composing music for film with the public.
• On 21 November at the Omnia, at 6pm, a meeting with Will Shears, director of Making Tea for Ireland, a short documentary capturing moments shared during a road-trip. It’s a chance to talk about a human experience that contradicts the often negative aspects of social networking.

On the closing night of the festival, the best short films will be awarded prizes by a jury of professionals, the public and partners:

• Jury Prize for Best Fiction Film
• Jury Prize for Best Documentary Film
• Jury Prize for Best Animated Film
• Audience Award
• Young Audience Prize
• Rouen-Norwich Club Award for Best Performance
• 2 favourites, selected by secondary school students