As part of Forbidden Worlds Film Festival 2024, we had our inaugural Genre Film-Makers of the Future: Shorts Showcase where filmmakers from all over the world could send in their horror, action and sci-fi shorts and get them screened at the festival on our giant 19m x 15m screen.

Our judging panel selected the Best Action and Best Horror shorts and the winners were James Waterhouse for Kin and Noomi Yates for Only Yourself To Blame respectively.

During the festival, Sarah Williams spoke to James and Noomi about winning their respective awards.

About the films and directors:

KIN (2023, UK, Dir. James Waterhouse, Action)

In a scorched lawless future, a mother with a baby attempts to steal supplies from a dangerous gang of survivors.

James Waterhouse is a writer-director based in London, who sought out to create an action film centred around the bond between mother and son but with brutal action, grounded in gritty realism.

ONLY YOURSELF TO BLAME (2023, UK, Dir. Noomi Yates, Horror)

When Mai sends her drunk friend Sian home in a taxi, she finds herself being pursued by a shadowy assailant who is copying her every move. Unable to outrun her stalker, she confronts them to discover something deeply unsettling.

UK-based filmmaker Noomi Yates is a writer and director who brings a unique perspective to the horror genre, pairing bold cinematic statements with sensitive social issues.

Find out more how you can submit short films to Forbidden Worlds Film Festival: https://filmfreeway.com/FWFilmFestival