UK Film Season in Chengdu, China | Award-Winning Live-Action and Animated Short Films Coming Soon

Reposted from the official WeChat account of the British Consulate-General in Chongqing, a long-time supporter of Mothers’ Bridge of Love (MBL)

Starting tomorrow, “UK Film Season: Dreams and the Dream-Makers” will open its offline programme in Chengdu. All five screening sessions sold out in seconds — missed out? Don’t worry. The guest salon events promise even more excitement (Salon registration | In-depth conversations with leading guests, exploring the stories behind the films).

Unable to attend in person? Try the online screenings instead. A selection of BAFTA-nominated and award-winning live-action and animated short films will soon be available to watch for free, showcasing some of the most dynamic and innovative voices in contemporary British cinema.

First, a word about the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). BAFTA represents more than awards, production standards, or industry recognition; it also offers a way of observing contemporary British society and its creative ecosystem. From emotional tensions within families to experiences of migration, war trauma, identity, and the politics of memory, short films often respond to the questions a society is facing in the most concentrated — and incisive — form.

From 22 December 2025 to 23 January 2026, the British Council’s International Showcase Programme, in partnership with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), will present an online screening of the 2025/26 BAFTA Short Film selections.

This programme brings together nominated and award-winning BAFTA live-action and animated short films, highlighting some of the UK’s most vibrant emerging filmmakers. These works come from diverse regions and backgrounds, ranging from intimate, finely observed personal narratives to direct engagements with complex social realities. More than a series of screenings, this online showcase is a window into contemporary British creativity and society.

As an international organisation dedicated to cultural exchange and educational cooperation, the British Council hopes to act as a cultural guide through this programme — using film to lead audiences closer to the social contexts in which these works were created, to understand the issues filmmakers are responding to, and to rethink the place of moving images in today’s world.

📅 22 December 2025 – 23 January 2026
Follow YiShu UK on Weibo and WeChat, and the British Embassy Cultural and Education Section’s official Bilibili account for updates and viewing information.

#MyBAFTAMoment — Interactive Section

Among these BAFTA short films, there will always be a moment that makes you pause — perhaps a glance, a silence, or a single frame that quietly touches your own memories. We invite you to capture your “BAFTA moment.”

How to take part

In the WeChat comment section of the YiShu UK screening posts, take a screenshot of the moment that moved you most, post it in the comments, and write a one-sentence review or reflection.

Selection & Rewards

From participants for each film, one “Most Resonant Viewer” will be selected to receive a UK Film Season beaded bracelet as a keepsake.

About the Organisations

British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Through its work in arts and culture, education, and the English language, it builds connections, understanding, and trust between people in the UK and around the world, contributing to peace and prosperity. The British Council works with people in over 200 countries and territories and has a presence in more than 100 countries. In 2024–2025, it connected with 599 million people worldwide.

British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)

BAFTA is a world-leading independent arts charity. In addition to its awards ceremonies, BAFTA runs year-round international learning programmes, including workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, talks, and mentoring schemes across the UK, the US, and Asia — offering unique access to global creative talent.

UK Film Season: Dreams and the Dream-Makers

Cinema is the art of dreaming. For more than a century, Britain has been a cradle for both dreams and dream-makers — from Roundhay Garden Scene (1888), the world’s oldest surviving film, to global phenomena such as Harry Potter and James Bond. British cinema has shaped a storytelling language that transcends generations and continents.

Through the “UK Film Season: Dreams and the Dream-Makers” programme, British diplomatic missions in China will host a series of online and offline events between June and December 2025 in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Wuhan, inviting Chinese audiences to explore the artistry, heritage, and future of British cinema.

Every story begins with a dream — and every dream is born to inspire.