Some days as filmmakers you drag lighting stands across a car park in the rain. Some days you survive on cold coffee and hope. And then there are days like this one. UK Film Review has officially named our film Make Believe as one of the twenty best short films of 2025, placing it among the most acclaimed independent works of the year. To say we are thrilled would be an understatement so large it probably needs its own postcode.
UK Film Review did not just include Make Believe on their prestigious list, they highlighted it as one of the standout emotional character pieces of the year. Reviewer Jason Knight praised the film for its honesty, its raw performances and its depiction of a mother and daughter clinging to each other as the world pushes them to breaking point. According to Knight it is a film about hardship, love, imagination and the painful decisions that strain the soul, and we could not be prouder that the heart of the story was received exactly as we hoped.
Being singled out in a list like this is not a small thing. UK Film Review sifted through hundreds of submissions to choose only twenty films that they felt represented the absolute peak of the short form. These films come from every corner of the world and range from brutally grounded social drama to folklore horror to surrealist animation to dark satire. The list includes works that have graced major festivals, films that have won juries over with bold experimentation, and projects that have been championed for their emotional intelligence and artistic bravery.
Among the celebrated titles are 29 de Febrero, a moving Spanish character study about aging and regret, and Falling Rocks, another intimate British drama praised for its authenticity. Hidden Wounds explores the mental toll carried home by soldiers, while Safe turns its gaze toward the heavy emotional responsibility placed on support workers. These pieces sit alongside sharp social satires such as Bury Your Gays and Wish You Were Here, both applauded for their wit and bite.
UK Film Review also reserved space for some of the most impressive genre cinema of the year. The Dog plunges viewers into institutional dread, Grima leans into childhood terror, Honey weaves quiet tension from rural isolation and The Lantern Man taps directly into English folklore. The list even contains powerful technical showcases such as A Wanderer’s World, The Craftsman and Wavelength, each praised for their craft, composition and emotional resonance.
And right there with them sits Make Believe, our small film made with grit, heart and a shared belief in the story we wanted to tell. To see Shelly and Daisy’s world acknowledged alongside such remarkable work from filmmakers across the globe is deeply affirming for every cast and crew member who gave themselves to this project.
Sophia Leanne Kelly’s performance as Shelly was singled out across several reviews this year, and UK Film Review echoed that recognition in their praise. They highlighted her ability to carry the emotional weight of the story while never losing sight of the character’s love or fragility. They also praised Anastasia Hesketh’s performance as Daisy, noting the instinctive truth she brings to every moment. Both actors have been at the beating heart of the film’s success and this accolade belongs just as much to them as it does to anyone behind the camera.
The list also recognises the cinematography, editorial rhythm and tonal control that shaped Make Believe, elements that were a direct result of a hardworking crew who poured every ounce of creativity into making the film feel lived in and real. The acknowledgement from UK Film Review stands as a tribute to that collective effort, and we are delighted to see their work celebrated on such a respected platform.
We are honoured to be part of this year’s selection and proud that Make Believe continues to connect with audiences and critics alike. Congratulations to every filmmaker named in the top twenty. We encourage everyone to explore the full list on UK Film Review and discover these incredible pieces of cinema. There is a world of talent in the short film landscape and we are grateful to be recognised among such extraordinary company.
And to everyone who has supported Make Believe throughout its festival run, thank you. This recognition belongs to all of us.
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