Osprey Short Film Awards 2026

A young flying fish is banned from flying, but is determined to try out its wings in this delightful animation made by 8-12 year olds at Signal Starters.

Sandscale Haws is a National Nature Reserve on the Duddon Estuary in Cumbria which is home to a third of all the UK's native plant species. It is a dynamic dunescape shaped by wind and tide. Bounded by industry and infrastructure it is an incredibly special place for the Community in South West Cumbria who come to experience and protect its abundant, but sadly threatened, ecosystem.

A patient named Tom goes for an MRI scan only to be transported into a galactic void. After the contrast dye he was injected with begins to spread across his body, Tom is turned blue. Things become even more trippy as Tom's journey through the void takes a sinister turn.

Two friends flip a coin to decide which of them carries out a perilous task.

Twiggy, a lively red squirrel, and Woody, a spirited great spotted woodpecker, share fascinating facts about the unsung heroes of nature - trees. Through playful banter and engaging life-size stop motion photography, Twiggy explains how trees are essential in combating climate change, reducing flooding and creating cool, thriving ecosystems.

A look at the female and LBGTQ+ inclusive skating subculture within the North West of England. Through workshops and providing the skaters with disposable cameras and utilising photography and film as democratic tools, this rich series of images acts as an important archive.

An intimate portrait of an ordinary 63-year-old woman who knows that being outdoors every day whatever the weather is the cure for succumbing to life's 'stop cards'.

After 30 years of too many downs and not enough ups on life's rollercoaster, Billy embarks on a final lost weekend in the funfair of a town that is Blackpool. In a hilarious, drink and drug-fuelled romp Billy staggers from one failed attempt to another, but then suddenly finds a reason to live in all the madness.

Contains strong language, drink and drug use, and suicidal themes

A reanimated postman is recruited to deliver post by the formidable Count Orlok in this haunting short film.

Terrified he's turned his son queer, Rich plots to rig his local pub's Christmas turkey draw to prove what it means to be a real man. This short film is a bleakly funny, charmingly bizarre, queer genre gem set in Carlisle and was nominated for the Film4 Best British Short Iris Prize in 2025.

Contains strong language and scenes of a sexual nature