Production company Fact Not Fiction Films has announced that its latest short film, A Girl Called Alice, has entered post-production following principal photography on location in London and West Sussex.

The 15 minute thriller addresses the continuing rise in mobile phone theft across the capital and is due to be submitted to international film festivals later this year. The story unfolds against the backdrop of more than 124,000 devices reported stolen in London over the past year, focusing on a young woman reputed to be one of the city’s most skilled phone thieves. When she is challenged by a notorious gang leader to prove her abilities, events intensify, prompting questions about risk, loyalty, and consequence.

The production is backed by Crimestoppers, with support from EE and cameras and lenses supplied by Canon. Through the partnership, Crimestoppers is encouraging the public to share information about phone theft anonymously via its charity channels, reinforcing the film’s wider public awareness purpose.

The cast features Antonio Aakeel as Tariq, appearing opposite Tegan Grace Muggeridge in the title role. Aakeel is known for his work in the Apple TV series Slow Horses, the film Tomb Raider, the Netflix thriller I Came By, and the feature Eaten by Lions. He has previously been named a Screen International Star of Tomorrow and received the EE ACTA Award for Best Emerging Artist presented by Arts Council England. Muggeridge, who also co wrote the screenplay, reunites with the production company after earlier collaborations on Aguska alongside Simon Callow and A Swiped Illusion, which she directed.

Direction and production are led by Tristan Loraine, continuing the company’s focus on socially driven storytelling. Founded in 2006, Fact Not Fiction Films has developed a reputation for issue based filmmaking, with previous projects examining dementia, mental health and identity theft. Its recent feature documentaries premiered at the Raindance Film Festival in 2025 to positive critical response.

The short film now moves towards festival submissions worldwide as part of a broader campaign promoting mobile phone safety.

The Scotland Card Show will return to Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus on 13 and 14 June 2026. The event, which began in 2022 with just 300 attendees, is now expected to draw around 10,000 collectors.

The show has received multiple awards, including the Scottish Event Awards, UK Start-Up Awards, and the International Business Excellence Awards. Local independent trading card shops, including Edinburgh’s Poke Cards, Perth’s Out of this Galaxy, and Stonehouse’s Pcommando Cards, are supporting the event.

The 2026 programme features a mix of trading card and sports memorabilia activities. Pokémon voice actors Emily Bauer and Eli James will appear in Glasgow for the first time, alongside international illustrator Rianti Hidayat and Glasgow-based sketch artist Jamison Murdock. Former Scotland and Celtic captain Charlie Mulgrew will host a signing session on Saturday 13 June.

Attendees can also take part in workshops, live streaming of card “box breaks,” and interactive experiences supported by major industry brands including eBay, Topps, and Asmodee.

The Scotland Card Show is Europe’s leading trading card and collectibles event, offering a family-friendly environment with vendors, interactive activities, and a wide range of rare and exclusive items. For more information and ticket bookings, visit the official website.

I Ain’t No Herb Jackson Studios has announced the launch of Ain’t No Herb TV, a new Roku Channel and streaming app dedicated entirely to independently made films from around the world. Set to debut in 2026, the platform reflects years of careful planning by founder and producer Herb Jackson, who personally selected short films, documentaries, and features with respect for each project’s original vision.

Jackson’s motivation came from firsthand experience on the festival circuit, where many strong films struggle to find viewers once festivals end. He set out to create a permanent space where these projects could continue to be seen, with special attention given to short films that rarely receive sustained exposure.

Ain’t No Herb TV will add films on a rolling basis, allowing viewers to revisit favourites while discovering new work at any time. The channel will be free to watch on Roku and will also be available as an app through the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and Amazon Fire TV. Programming will run twenty four seven, rotating titles regularly as the library grows.

Among the first films featured is Aguska, a short film executive produced by Jackson. The story follows a young British girl who faces bullying on a football pitch and finds strength through family and teamwork, ultimately bringing her team together.

The channel officially launches for Roku users and app platforms on February 15th. Jackson hopes the service becomes a trusted destination for independent shorts and a practical support system for filmmakers navigating a crowded industry.

Behind the platform is I Ain’t No Herb Jackson Studios, a production company that partners with filmmakers to expand their reach. The studio offers guidance on festival submissions, social media strategy, and press visibility, all with the aim of helping independent films connect with a broader audience.

New interim clinical findings from EyeCool Therapeutics, a clinical stage ophthalmic medical device company advancing a new approach to chronic ocular surface pain, has shared early results from its ongoing clinical study, currently being conducted at the University of Melbourne, which is evaluating the ETX 4143 device in patients living with long lasting ocular surface pain.

According to the interim analysis, treatment with ETX 4143 was well tolerated and showed no harmful impact on corneal nerve structure. The study also examined how immune cells on the corneal surface behave over time, using advanced in vivo confocal microscopy techniques. Together, these observations support a strong safety profile for the device and point toward an additional biological process that may help explain reductions in pain and inflammation seen in earlier studies.

Medical advisors involved in the program highlighted the importance of preserving corneal nerve integrity, particularly in patients whose nerves are already compromised. Earlier research with ETX 4143 has shown meaningful pain reduction and improved corneal sensation, and these new findings suggest the therapy may work through more than one pathway, addressing both nerve related pain signaling and inflammatory activity at the ocular surface.

The clinical study remains underway, with further follow up planned to better understand long term outcomes and durability of effect. EyeCool Therapeutics has indicated that additional data will be shared as the program advances, alongside broader updates on its development plans during upcoming healthcare investor meetings.

ETX 4143 is EyeCool’s lead investigational device and is designed for use during a brief in office outpatient procedure. The treatment involves gently cooling the surface of each eye for four minutes, targeting specific nerve fibers responsible for transmitting pain signals. Many patients report rapid relief that continues to improve over several weeks. As treated nerve fibers gradually recover over a period of months, symptoms may return, at which point repeat treatment may be considered. Clinical trials have also shown measurable improvements in corneal sensitivity following use of the device.

Chronic ocular surface pain is defined as eye pain or discomfort originating from the ocular surface and lasting longer than three months. Despite how common and disruptive the condition can be, there are currently no approved treatments available.

EyeCool Therapeutics is focused on developing in clinic technologies aimed at delivering fast and lasting relief for people affected by chronic ocular surface pain, with the goal of addressing a significant unmet need in eye care.

A decade after its debut, the documentary Unbound is being recognised with a tenth anniversary celebration that brings together its final public screening and a national prime time television campaign.

The film, directed by Benjamin Smith and featuring Ruben Salinas, has spent ten years shaping conversations around personal transformation through the connection of body, mind, and soul. Unbound follows Salinas, a biohacker and engineer, as he explores the limits of human potential through both scientific inquiry and personal experience.

Through a series of intimate, unscripted interviews, the documentary features leading voices from the worlds of health, performance, and consciousness. Among them are Wim Hof, Dan Millman, Angeles Arrien, Dr. Alexander Wunsch, David Bayer, and Ben Greenfield, who examine topics ranging from physiology and longevity science to psychology, resilience, and human meaning.

Since its release, Unbound has screened for audiences around the world, drawing viewers interested in wellness and self development. With a runtime of one hour and twenty seven minutes, the film challenges audiences to reconsider the inner capacity each individual holds to create meaningful change.

This anniversary marks the final opportunity to experience the original full length documentary, honoring its lasting influence on holistic wellbeing, spirituality, and conscious living.

The festival has become an important gathering for creatives across the UK, recognised for its commitment to emerging talent and its expanding role within the national film calendar.

A new documentary is having its world premiere at the Raindance Film Festival in London. It brings attention to a disease that affects millions globally, yet remains largely misunderstood. The film is titled ‘Our Journey with Lobular Breast Cancer’, and it places the spotlight firmly on a growing call for targeted medical research.

The film documents the Lobular Moon Shot Project, a campaign launched in 2023 by Dr Susan Michaelis. Since its inception, the initiative has drawn cross-party support in Westminster. To date, 365 Members of Parliament have backed a proposal calling for a five-year research programme, with a funding target of £20 million.

The British-American short film Angel Fleet is gaining momentum in its pre-Oscars campaign following a successful festival run.

From the World News Index

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