Best Friends For Now

Sunday 21st September 16:00pm (60m)

Celebrating friendship in all its messy, magical glory. Acknowledging that often, it’s not forever.

Content Guidance: none specified.

DOG HAIR STICKS TO EVERYTHING

They’ve both only known goodbye. When a woman adopts an abandoned dog, she unexpectedly finds the sense of community and belonging she's craved her whole life, in this poetic meditation on love, loneliness, and the quiet ways animals heal us.

Director: Megan Mcritchie

Writer: Charli Morachnick

Producer: Charli Morachnick

EIGHTY-SIX

A girl seeks to remind her friends that extraordinary things can happen when she chases after a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. 

Director: Megan Channell

Writer: Sarah Grant

Producer: Nicola Docherty

THE HEAVY PENCIL

Two friends meet up for their weekly coffee catch up to discuss the 'actor's life'. However, this meeting could change the entire course of their friendship.

Director: Heather Elise Nelson

Writer: Heather Elise Nelson

Producer: Heather Elise Nelson, David Addison

I’LL TELL THEM ABOUT US ONE DAY

When Linnea’s best friend of eleven years suddenly wants a break, she’s thrown into a whirlwind of emotions, struggling to make sense of it all.

Director: Anna Adell

Writer: Anna Adell

Producer: Sofia Sörlin

KITTY PARTY

Director: Amit Kaur

Writer: Rousha Browning, Shakia Kadri

Producer: Aaliyah Yaqub, Dominique Unsworth, Lesley-Anne Macfarlane, Amanda Dorsett

TYPE OF RAIN

Following the untimely death of her closest friend, a young woman finally finds some comfort in the form of a new ally: cold water.

Director: Saskia Steinberg

Writer: Saskia Steinberg, Madison Hookway

Producer: Saskia Steinberg, Madison Hookway

UGLY INSTAGRAM

Lost in a world of hashtags, likes, and lies, Libby finds herself and her sister Tola in a sticky situation.

Director: Temi Yussuf

Writer: Testimony Ogunrin

Producer: Winnie Imara, Kathryn Roth

Buy your tickets.

You can purchase a ticket to just this screening, or grab a pass to watch lots more films and attend events happening across the festival weekend.

Discounts for groups, families, students and those on low income support are available too.

Featured
Girls Club Teesside x Women X Ticket
Girls Club Teesside x Women X Ticket
£15.00

Women X teams up with Girls Club Teesside for an evening of film-inspired vision boarding, along with a ticket to our comedy short film screening, complimentary popcorn, and a VIP lanyard! It’s the perfect combo of creative workshop plus cinema treats. All materials provided.

Come along solo for a chance to meet new friends whilst learning a new skill. Solo bookings only!

Event starts at 16:30pm on Saturday 19th September, with the films starting at 17:45pm and ending around 19:00pm

This ticket does not grant access to any other screenings or events at the festival.

Family Screening: The Scarecrow's Wedding
Family Screening: The Scarecrow's Wedding
from £2.00

Join us for a family screening of a Julia Donaldson favourite!

The Scarecrows’ Wedding is an enchanting story about two devoted scarecrows, Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay, who are planning a wedding to remember. When Harry insists on leaving the farm to collect one last thing for their big day, a smooth-talking scarecrow named Reginald Rake swoops in with plans of his own. Chaos ensues, and soon Betty’s in danger and everything’s at risk. Can Harry get back in time and save the day? Full of heart, humour and adventure, this is the joyful tale about loyalty, love and learning that the most important thing isn’t a grand gesture – it’s simply being together.

The half-hour animated special features an all-star voice cast with returning favourite Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip) voicing Reginald Rake, Jessie Buckley (Wicked Little Letters, Wild Rose) as Betty O’Barley, Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, The Paper) as Harry O’Hay, all led by Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses, Hotel Rwanda) as the Narrator.

Directed by Samantha Cutler and Jeroen Jaspaert
Produced by Magic Light Pictures

This will be a relaxed screening, ideal for families with neurodiverse children, where the lights will be dimmed, sound will be lowered and screening aids will be available for those that would like them such a fidget toys and ear defenders, all families are welcome.

Screening as part of Women X Film Festival at The Hullabaloo Theatre on Sunday 20th September at 10:30, there will be a family craft session available before and after the screening for you to enjoy as part of your cinema experience, or if you would like a break from the screening.

Please note: this screening is designed for families to attend together, no unaccompanied adults will be allowed entry to cinema and children must attend with an accompanying adult.

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Weekend Pass - Women X 2026
from £16.00

Unlock the entire weekend of Women X Fest 2026. Your weekend pass gives you access to all our short film screenings, plus any special programmes. You’ll also be able to attend all our talks, film quiz night, networking events and our awards show.

Every year we have a Pay What You Can Option as we want everyone to enjoy our festival, regardless of their financial situation. Please select this option if you face financial barriers attending the festival.

Weekend passes do not include access to our family screenings, or writers residency, please book separately.

Friday Day Pass - Women X 2026
Friday Day Pass - Women X 2026
from £8.00

With us for a good time not a long time? Our Day pass is ideal for you. Friday’s Day Pass gives you access to all short film screenings, talks and workshops on Friday 18th September at both Darlington Library and the Hippodrome.

Every year we have a Pay What You Can Option as we want everyone to enjoy our festival, regardless of their financial situation. Please select this option if you face financial barriers attending the festival.

Day passes do not include access to our family screenings, or writers residency, please book separately.

Saturday Day Pass - Women X 2026
Saturday Day Pass - Women X 2026
from £8.00

With us for a good time not a long time? Our Day pass is ideal for you. Saturday’s Day Pass gives you access to all short film screenings, talks and workshops on Saturday 20th September, including our film quiz night!

Every year we have a Pay What You Can Option as we want everyone to enjoy our festival, regardless of their financial situation. Please select this option if you face financial barriers attending the festival.

Day passes do not include access to our family screenings, or writers residency, please book separately.

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Sunday Day Pass - Women X 2026
from £8.00

With us for a good time not a long time? Our Day pass is ideal for you. Sunday’s Day Pass gives you access to all short film screenings, talks and workshops on Sunday 20th September.

Every year we have a Pay What You Can Option as we want everyone to enjoy our festival, regardless of their financial situation. Please select this option if you face financial barriers attending the festival.

Day passes do not include access to our family screenings, or writers residency, please book separately. Awards ceremony seats are subject to availability and can be reserved with our team a month prior to the festival.

Online Pass - Women X 2026
Online Pass - Women X 2026
£16.00

Be part of the action from the comfort of your own home, watch some of the most exciting short films and follow along all the action via our socials so you feel like you’re there!

Online passes grant access to a selection of our films in our shorts programme, some films may not be available online due to distributor requirements, online passes are not transferrable for venue passes.

There are no concessions or discounted rates for this pass.

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