Farnham Maltings has showcased a range of short films by young creative people from across south-east England, writes Alice Tomlinson.

The Young Programmers: One Nighters evening was organised by the Young Programmers and the Young Surrey Film Festival to highlight emerging creative talent in the region.

There were animated and live action films ranging from comedies to tragedies, including work from students at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham.

One Young Programmer said: “My favourite part of the event was the question and answer session, as it was the moment where we got to see how much work and thought was put into each of the films - as well as a chance to connect with the film-makers on a more personal level.”

Lisa Yatsenko directed Buried in Me, which explored self-retribution. A thief who initially gets away with committing crimes eventually catches up with himself, with the actor playing victim and perpetrator.

She said: “My main inspiration was my own life, because you cannot run away from yourself.”

Many film-makers referenced artists on Instagram as inspiration, acknowledging people’s confidence in uploading their work for all to see.

Vito Yudhistantra, director of animation on The Mango Tree, said: “Art is a scary thing.”

He centred his watercolour animation around a mango tree, reflecting the Indonesian tradition of families having a tree in their garden that has been passed through the generations.

The UCA student made his animation at one frame per second speed, instead of the typical two, for a smoother finish.

Another animation - Doughdream, directed by Olivia Tindal - follows a woman’s dream of her cat being made of dough. Olivia was inspired by her own cat, Marley, who she often “kneads”. She said: “Having an idea that you really like means you enjoy making it.”

Another animator, Rhys Mussington, directed and produced The Light Conductor, which displayed glowing shapes and colours against a black background, to Chopin’s Tristesse.

Asked what he might do differently, he said: “I’d change the song - not because I don’t like it, it’s just every time I hear it, it drives me crazy.”

UCA students Harvey Franklin and Kat Hall created live action short-film Light Upon the Dark, inspired by 1940s American film-maker Maya Deren, which was filmed in Farnham Park.

Live action film Dear Departed, directed by Lauren Sims, followed a young girl devastated by her grandfather’s death who finds solace at a post office which delivers letters between the living and the dead.

The Farnham Maltings Young Programmers Initiative is a two-year-old collective specialising in film and music events.

Young Programmers is a regional network created by Film Hub South East to connect young creative people with venues.

One Young Programmer said: “Farnham is a town full of creative potential, and I believe it is vital that the young people of Farnham are given opportunities to showcase their work and build a strong creative community for future generations to follow.”

The Farnham Maltings Young Programmers’ next event, called SoundStorm, will showcase young local musicians and will be on February 27 at 7pm.

*Alice Tomlinson is a freelance journalist based in Farnham