A screening of 2015 Oscar winning short film The Phone Call, starring Jim Broadbent and Sally Hawkins, forms part of the 10th Smalls Film Festival which kicks off today.

Hackney Gazette: Sally Hawkins in short film, The Phone Call.Sally Hawkins in short film, The Phone Call. (Image: Archant)

The poignant 15-minute drama which was shot on a zero budget and made by director Mat Kirkby and Haggerston-based co-producer James Lucas, follows Golden Globe winner Hawkins as a call centre worker who helps Academy Award winner Broadbent, who is on the brink of suicide.

Held over five days at the Hoxton Arches in Cremer Street, the festival will showcase 35 inspiring, new short films of up to 20 minutes in length, and aims to inspire those in the field with a series of industry talks, masterclasses, and networking events.

Other highlights include a screening of Dark Net which features comedian Johnny Vegas, and ‘A Conversation with Kim Longinotto’ as she looks back over her documentary filmmaking career which focused on the plight of female victims of oppression or discrimination.

An official opening party launches the programme tomorrow night at 7pm.

For more information see www.thesmalls.com/festival.