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Attending the Sunday edition of the 2026 Wigan & Leigh Short Film Festival, this – like Bury back in July – was a first for me. Held at the delightful Leigh Film Factory, the Sunday edition of the festival was far from the longest in duration, but nonetheless, the afternoon occasion entailed the presentation of 12 short films across four acts.
Whilst Saturday’s showcase was more genre-based, Sunday’s spectacle took a quadruple focus: animation; documentary; young filmmaker; and North West Filmmaker. Amongst the short films, stories entailing social issues, mental health issues, and even the infamous Wigan Kebab, were shared with the Leigh-based audience.
Now That’s What I Dock Pudding, a hilarious documentary by Sarah Mason, was my stand-out performance at Sunday’s edition of Wigan & Leigh Short Film Festival. With rapturous laughter from the audience – including myself, obviously – Dock Pudding was an exceptional showing. Detailing the World Dock Pudding Championships held annually in Mytholmroyd, Dock Pudding excelled in displaying the charm and traditions of the central Yorkshire community, as well as the irony in its fierce competition rivalry.
Ultimately, attending my first Wigan & Leigh Short Film Festival was a great occasion. A duality of excellent programming and an excellent venue, I eagerly anticipate attending both days of the 2027 edition.
The below were the winners of the Sunday edition:
Winner, Young Filmmaker: All Change
Winner, Documentary: Where Laughter Lives
Winner, Animation: Potter’s Mirror
Winner, North West Filmmaker: Occupied
Winner, Audience Choice: Now That’s What I call Dock Pudding
Dom.
For John.
This article’s featured image: By Source, Wigan & Leigh Short Film Festival, Fair Use https://www.wiganleighfilmfestival.org.uk/index.php
