Watch new British and International shorts with Into Film+

At Into Film, we always aim to keep our diverse and accessible catalogue of films updated with exciting new voices and points of view. With the new year in full swing, we are highlighting five new short films from around the world that can teach us about spiritual beliefs, technological advances, the clashing of cultures, neurodiversity, friendship and, maybe most importantly, the way that we tell stories. With a film for the majority of age groups in the school system, we hope that you can discover something to both enthral and inform.

Bango Vassil - suitable for ages 7-14

Bango Vassil, otherwise known as Roma New Year, is celebrated every year by the Romani people in Bulgaria on 14 January. In this short animation, an argument over biscuits breaks out between a young Romani girl and non-Romani boy on a chilly Bango Vassil and they find themselves adrift on an ice float in a river with no way of getting home. Realising they must work together, the children find they may have more in common than they first realized and maybe there is somebody out there who can help them on their journey of survival. 

This is a sweet fable of friendship and understanding across cultures that can open up universal conversations between young people.

Try out Bango Vassil if you enjoyed...Spellbound, in which a lonely girl looking for a friend to spend Halloween with is surprised to find her pumpkin come to life.

In My World, In Your Eyes - suitable for ages 7+

Join Elena, an 11-year-old autistic girl as she shows us what life is like to grow up as somebody who views the world a little bit differently to the majority. Focusing on her experience at a mainstream school, Elena uses sensory stimulation and voiceover to guide us through her world and give an insight into how people with autism may perceive the environment around them. This imaginative and cinematic short documentary sheds light on how we all see the world differently and builds empathy for those who are navigating their own unique path through our complicated world.

Try out In My World, In Your Eyes if you enjoyed... Overload, a Claymation in which an autistic young man struggles with the pressures and anxieties of travelling on the London Underground.

Happy Snaps - suitable for ages 7-14

This sweet and sensitive short film follows Gabriel and Sami, two boys who live on the Isle of Sheppey in the South East. They are best friends, but today as they play on the beach and mess around with an old camera, they know that their remaining time together is limited: Gabriel, who has cerebral palsy, is about to move away with his family. He has told Sami it is because of his mum's job, but there's something else that he hasn't told him. Both boys struggle with their feelings as they wonder what the future holds. Exploring topics including health, rural spaces and growing up, this film captures the genuine care of childhood friendships and offers a sensitive and un-patronising representation of disability and inclusion.

Try out Happy Snaps if you enjoyed... By Hand, a sweet drama in which a brother and sister visit their estranged father, whose inability to communicate in British Sign Language with his daughter causes tension.

Goose Quest - suitable for ages 11+

This retro video game-inspired animation begins with a simple concept a goose wakes up to find her pet hamster, Nibbles, has died and sets out on an adventure, leaving her quaint hometown behind on a quest to turn back time and be reunited with Nibbles. The story unfolds as if someone is playing a video game in front of your eyes, but Goose Quest soon morphs into something much more than a simple game. Full of unique, charming and funny characters within a remarkable and otherworldly setting, Goose Quest bridges the gap between games and films whilst also telling a tender story of grief, determination and learning to let go.

Try out Goose Quest if you enjoyed... Cat Fight, an epic animated battle between two cats, one black and one white, told through a variety of genres, styles and cultural influences.

Azaar - suitable for ages 14+

In a rural, mountainous village in 1800s India, a young girl named Azaar watches, enchanted, as her mother's red veil billows around her in the wind. Red-veiled women run this tribe. The men have long been away fighting a war, and the only male figure who occasionally visits is an Arab trader. Azaar comes to understand that the red veils are a symbol of womanhood and honour, and are somehow connected with menstruation, which is still a mystery to her. In her eagerness to be just like her mother, she inadvertently uncovers the lonely woman's vulnerability, spreading shockwaves among their cloistered community and across the desert landscape. This visually striking drama offers a thought-provoking commentary on societal and cultural expectations and provides a powerful example of effective screenwriting for short film.

Try out Azaar if you enjoyed... Barricade, where a girl is inspired to commit a small act of rebellion after being sexually harassed on her school bus.