Five original comedy shorts, innovative and including star turns from Derek Jacobi, Matthew Horne, Imelda Staunton, Nic Burns, Hugh Bonneville and James Corden, plus the Oscar-nominated, sumptuous 3d animation from Smith and Foulkes.

Commissioned by BBC Films and BBC Comedy shorts in association with Film Network.

1) Where Have I Been All Your Life?
Jim Field Smith / Idiotlamp / 2007
Producer: Alan Traquair
Cast: James Corden, Imelda Staunton, James Cosmo, Katy Wix, Perry Benson

In a quest to track down his biological Dad, a young man inadvertently uncovers a series of dark secrets.

2) Albert’s Speech
Richard Fenwick / onedotzero / 2008
Cast: Nicholas Burns / Katie Lyons / Tim Healy / Di Botcher / Stuart Laing / Steve Oram

GBH, murder, nuclear strike - just one man’s desperate quest to avoid delivering the best man’s speech.

3) One Of Those Days
Hattie Dalton / Memory Box Films/Umbrella Entertainment/Rocket Pictures / 2008
Cast: Derek Jacobi / Joanna David / Deborah Findlay / Hugh Bonneville / Joe Absolom

Howard and Jean are the victims of a bureaucratic cock-up on one of the busiest days since… well, ever.

4) Trimming The Fat
Matt Huntley / Idiotlamp / 2008
Producer: Alan Traquair
Cast: Mathew Horne, Tony Way, Vincent Franklin, Steve Evans, Sinead Matthews, Ben Willbond

When a hotel barman discovers a guest is an old school friend he becomes determined that they hang out for the night. As boundaries are crossed it can only be a matter of time before it all ends in tears.

5) This Way Up (Oscar nomination: Short Animation Award 2009)
Smith and Foulkes / Nexus Productions / 2008
Producers: Charlotte Bavasso + Christopher Reilly / Co-producer: Christine Ponzevera

Laying the dead to rest has never been so much trouble.