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Official Selection Announced for 2nd Edition of Napier Student Film Festival

Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association is proud to announce the official selection of films for the highly anticipated Napier Student Film Festival 2025. The festival, now in its second edition following a successful launch last year, is taking place from 5-7 November 2025 at Edinburgh Napier University’s Craiglockhart and Merchiston campuses.

Following an overwhelming response from student filmmakers worldwide for the call for film submissions, the festival jury has carefully curated a diverse lineup that reflects the theme of this year’s festival, “Bridging the Gap”.

There is a total selection of 23 short films, with ten representing universities across the United Kingdom, and the remaining 13 films representing Italy, USA, Canada, Germany, Ghana, Netherlands, Australia, Ukraine, India and China. The selected films will showcase the power of storytelling to connect cultures, spark dialogue, and inspire new perspectives of student filmmakers.

In addition to the official competition lineup, this year’s festival will feature special film exhibitions and curated screenings, offering audiences a broader cinematic experience that goes beyond the student competition.

A critical highlight of this specialty is the introduction of “AiF Edinburgh Connect”; a new programme launched in partnership with Accra Indie Filmfest (AiF) in Ghana. This initiative is supported by the British Council’s Festival Connect grant, and it seeks to create a platform for cross-continental collaboration through screenings, industry conversations, and a networking opportunities, spotlighting Ghanaian and African diaspora creativity alongside global student voices.

With the official selections, special screenings, and the introduction of AiF Edinburgh Connect, this year’s festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of emerging talent and cultural exchange.

Full details of the official selection can be found below, and the festival programme will be available next week.

Official Selected Films

  • “Cell Buddies” directed by Melle Windig, Hidde Alberts, Miguel Reyes, Jurgen de Smit & Arjen van der Plas - Sint Joost School of Art & Design (Netherlands) – Animation – 5:11min
  • “Heartware” directed by Leander Behal - Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (Germany) – Narrative – 15:00mins
  • “Pickled Fish” directed by Lucca Walter & Ariel Homossany – Edinburgh Napier University (UK) – Narrative – 10:57mins
  • “My Monthly Struggle” directed by Crystal Tai - RMIT University (Australia) – Animation – 2:00mins
  • “My Neighbor Ed” directed by Caleb Gales - Concordia University (Canada) – Narrative – 5:40mins
  • “In The Company of Bees” directed by Taylor Smith - University of Staffordshire (UK) – Documentary – 7:49mins
  • “Arundel's Lighthouse” directed by Julie Fackler - California Institute of the Arts (USA) – Narrative - 18:23mins
  • “Our Hero, Cadet” directed by Kam Smith - Ohio University (USA) – Narrative – 8:36mins
  • “Bowl” directed by John Kelbie - Edinburgh Napier University (UK) – Narrative – 9:59mins
  • “PAINTING BOSCOMBE” directed by Lydia Matata - Bournemouth University (UK) – Documentary – 7:00mins
  • “Flower Of Remembrance” directed by Yiping Gu - The University of Edinburgh (UK) – Narrative – 5:00mins
  • “Zapop!” directed by Jiaxin Chen – Pratt Institute (China) – Animation – 3:15mins
  • “GOBLIN!” directed by Matthew Jones - Nottingham Trent University (UK) – Animation – 5:56mins
  • “ReBell” directed by Rahul Rajendra Dhanwate – Savitribai Phule Pune University (India) – Narrative – 15:00mins
  • “King's Folly” directed by Mark-Antony Marini – Edinburgh Napier University (UK) – Narrative – 10:22mins
  • “Mary” directed by Dunyasha Althaus - Arts University Bournemouth (UK) – Narrative – 7:49mins
  • “The Power of the String” directed by Jonathan Awinsakiya Ayamga - University of Media,Arts and Communication - Institute of Film and Television (Ghana) – Documentary – 5:22mins
  • “Take A Break” directed by Lucas Burridge - Falmouth University (UK) – Animation – 2:27mins
  • “IL FULMINE VERDE (The Green Lightning)” directed by Tommaso Diaceri - CSC Film School Rome (Italy) – Narrative – 11:00mins
  • “Phantom” directed by Gabriele Manzoni - CSC Film School Rome (Italy) – Narrative – 17:00mins
  • “STAR” directed by Paoli De Luca - CSC Film School Rome (Italy) – Narrative – 12:00mins
  • “Pomana” directed by Anastasiia Lukova – KNUTKIT (Ukraine) – Narrative – 15:00mins
  • “Safe Travels” directed by Simon Krawczyk - University of Dundee (UK) – Animation – 4:05mins
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