Spielberg Collaborator Caroline Goodall Joins Hannah Onslow in Jack Howard’s Oscar-qualifying Short Film The Second Time Around
British rising star Hannah Onslow (Jay Kelly, BBC’s This City is Ours) stars opposite renowned actress Caroline Goodall, best known for her multiple collaborations with Steven Spielberg on Schindler’s List and Hook, in filmmaker Jack Howard’s debut drama short The Second Time Around.
The fantasy-drama takes place on a rainy London night, where a waitress (Onslow) closing a café is confronted by a mysterious older woman (Goodall).
The film, now qualified for Oscars and BAFTA contention, recently had its L.A. premiere at the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival in Los Angeles, where it won the Best Sci-Fi Award, giving the film strong momentum as it enters the global awards race. It marks Nottingham-born Jack Howard’s first dramatic work, following his success as co-founder of the British comedy duo Jack & Dean. To date, Howard’s online work has amassed more than 75 million views and a combined following of 1.5 million. As a Sundance alum and Cannes Lion winner, his TV and commercial work has seen him direct for major brands Walkers, Beko and Cineworld, musician James Blunt, and broadcast networks CBBC and Comedy Central.
The project is produced by Ash Horne and Max Marlow, and presented by 42 Management & Production. Horne, co-founder of creative studio CANTSEE and former Creative Director at Oscar-winning Slick Films, co-created ‘The Midnight Beast’ show on E4 (Warp Films) and executive produced the Cate Blanchett-backed and 2025 BAFTA-nominated short Marion. Marlow, producing under his banner A Marlow’s Production, produced the 2024 Academy Award shortlisted Good Boy, starring Ben Whishaw and executive produced by Emma Thompson, which was acquired by Disney+ and Prime Video. In 2025, he was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in Entertainment.
Filming took place in Ealing, West London, with the support of the West London Film Office, before moving into post-production. Alongside HollyShorts, The Second Time Around is expected to continue its Oscar-qualifying festival run through 2025. The production is proudly supported by LGBTQ+ mental health charity, MindOut. The Second Time Around has been shortlisted for Best British Short at the prestigious Iris Prize, earning it a broadcast on Film4, the UK’s leading film channel this October, followed by availability on Channel 4 VOD for a year following.
This award-winning short is set to next screen at the Norwich and Leeds Film Festivals in the U.K., building on an already-impressive festival journey that includes: Best Performance Award at Cine International Film Festival; a finalist spot at the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival; screenings at Indy Shorts International Film Fest, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Women Over 50 Film Festival, and Bend Film Fest; and taking home the Best Sci-Fi Award at HollyShorts Film Festival.