'Rapping nana' Joy France features in free Hebden Bridge Film Festival shorts programme

The nine selected short films will be available to stream for an exclusive 24-hour window from noon on Thursday November 19.

The programme includes the world premiere of Joy Uncensored, about 63-year-old rapper Joy France, who was featured on BBC Breakfast earlier this year.

Louise Wadley, director of Hebden Bridge Film Festival said: “Although we are very disappointed not to be able to have a live screening of these nine fantastic short films, we are delighted that everyone will be able to see them online.

"This special one-off event is to say thank you to all our wonderful supporters and to honour the filmmakers who submitted their films a year ago.

"This is the perfect way to support emerging film makers during this terrible year."

There will be a live streamed Q&A with the filmmakers, followed by a special performance by "rapping nana" Joy France and the announcement of the short film prizes on November 19 at 8.30pm.

The event is free but everyone is encouraged to donate to support Hebden Bridge Picture House, where the festival would have taken place in March 2020 if not for the pandemic. The nine shorts are:

We Are All Here - when Glasgow rapper Lumo takes his own life, his family and friends uncover hidden messages in the lyrics and video diaries he left behind.

The Gods of Tiny Things - a collaborative collage animation contemplating environmental and political threats to life.

Driving Lesson - according to Iranian law, Bahareh must have her traditional, chauvinistic husband accompany her driving lessons so she and her instructor will not be alone.

Jaybirds - three moments seen through the eyes of someone frustrated and underwhelmed by their surroundings.

7 Planets - a space-obsessed girl realizes that in cosmic matters, it is all about the long game.

Stripey Socks - the true story of a young girl dealing with teenage pregnancy, navigating her way through secrecy, blame and Catholic school.

Dominique- on a small island at the mouth of the Amazon River, we meet Dominique, whose mother raised her and her three transgender sisters.

Mary of Exeter - a pigeon flew messages across the English Channel in the Second World War, and youth groups and volunteers produced thousands of mono-prints to animate this true story.

Joy Uncensored - 63-year-old Joy France takes on the male-dominated rap battling world by going head to head in her first competition.

Free tickets for the programme are available at www.hebdenbridgefilmfestival.org.