Second Daughter celebrating dark cinema, art and performance - women's stories, made by anyone.

For 2026, the theme is -

'she was never one body'

Short films and music videos exploring the female collective. This could include dance pieces and ensemble work.

Exploring -

- the group as site of transformation
- attachment / feeding / imitation / contagion
- women together as threat, method, cult, ecology
- the body as host / vessel

For fans of Suspiria, The Falling, The Brood, Possession and more.
__________________________________________________________

- All works must have a female protagonist or female ensemble

- All works must be under 15 minutes

- We champion female filmmakers and creatives but this event is open to everyone.

- The live screening will take place on Friday 23rd October at The Bath House in Hackney Wick, London. Following the screening there will be time to chat and network, explore the exhibition, and grab a drink or some food at the bar, and dance until late!

Awards & Prizes

Our fourth edition is non-competitive.

Rules & Terms

- Submissions for this specific programme: close 1st October 6pm GMT.

- Your film must be under 15 minutes long.

- Premiere status is not necessary!

- The submission fee for this programme is £5, which will cover the fee of the submissions viewers and administrative and venue costs. If your film is selected, you and your team can attend for free - we will contact you for names.

- We cannot offer waiver codes at this time.

- All films must be completed, we cannot accept works in progress.

- We accept UK and international submissions.

- If your film is not in the English language, we will need English subtitles to accompany your film.

- If your film is selected for the screening, SD reserves the right to promote it in media campaigns and reproduce the film for internal and/or promotional use.

- If your film is submitted using the code but is not on the theme as outlined above, the film will be automatically rejected and you will not be refunded.