London-X4 Seasonal Short Film Festival, a new film festival happening at the Hackney Attic-Hackney Picturehouse on Sunday, September 24th, is teaming up with the international blood cancer charity DKMS.

The partnership aims to raise awareness and funds whilst attracting donors and all the while entertaining cinema audiences with the best short films from talented, upcoming filmmakers from all over the world. Festival director Roddy Fraser said he had worked with DKMS before when he promoted a series of stand up comedy gigs with them last year featuring some of the biggest names in stand up.

"I love working with DKMS because their work directly saves lives. When someone signs up as a donor, it's a really simple procedure. They take a mouth swab and if the person matches with a patient, their blood donation could save that person's life.

"They are also a lovely team and I was lucky enough to receive a fundraising award from them last year presented to me by Louise Minchin. I haven't won an award since an egg and spoon race when I was seven so how could we not keep working with them".

Fraser says the quality of the short films the festival will be showcasing is top drawer. "We've had one previous season of the London-X4 Short Film Festival where we had a real variety of films.

"Ultra cool comedies from Brooklyn, heart wrenching documentaries from Syria, totally unique experimental films from India, hilarious music videos from Austria, a gritty, action short set in a real life UK prison, starring Tom Davis from Murder In Successville playing a Top Geezer - and many others.

"This season's entries look as good or better. I also program the London-Worldwide Comedy Short Film Festival that happens in Spring, but the London-X4 Festival allows us to feature a wide spectrum of genres so there is something for everyone not just comedy fans".

The festival will donate 80% of ticket sales to DKMS and also have information and resources on hand for potential donors. Tickets can be bought through the Hackney Picturehouse website.