London’s only film festival dedicated to mental health, disability and neurodiversity is back at ActOne Cinema in Acton on Saturday (15 November 2025) for its second year.
The Wine Dark Short Film Festival (WDSFF) celebrates the creative work of D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent filmmakers, as well as films exploring themes of mental health and exclusion. Organisers say the event aims to amplify voices too often underrepresented in the industry.
This year’s line-up features 21 short films from the UK and abroad, spanning narrative and documentary storytelling. The programme includes themed screening blocks such as Threads of Fate and Dionysiac Dreams, each inspired by Greek mythology. Among the films being screened include Just One Pint by Lauren Hammersley, Avocado Heart Girl by Keeley Gainey, and I Would Like to Live on the Moon by Emily Burke.
Festival-goers can also attend a neurodivergent-friendly networking session and talks from industry figures, including Tron screenwriter Bonnie MacBird, who will discuss resilience and creativity, and filmmaker Sarah Leigh, founder of Inclusivity Films.
Co-founder Andreane Rellou said: “There are so few opportunities for filmmakers who are disabled, neurodivergent or have lived experience of mental illness. With this festival, we hope to support their storytelling and offer a platform that amplifies their voices.”
Tickets are available via ActOne Cinema’s website.
