Series Synopsis
Belonging is a captivating collection of five children’s short dramas from Ireland and around the world, exploring themes of friendship, family, identity, and self-discovery. From Naomi’s unexpected alien adventure in rural Ireland (Glitch), to Caspar’s clever challenge to school uniform rules in Germany (Boys Will Be Boys), Nina’s struggle between family expectations and her passion for drumming in Serbia (Nina’s Rhythm), Polly’s test of loyalty and courage in Scotland (Two Peas in a Pod), and Katerina’s magical escape into history in Cyprus (Ekaterini), the series celebrates the challenges and triumphs of growing up, inspiring kids to embrace who they are and find their place in the world.
Episode Synopses
Episode 1 Glitch (Ireland)
Naomi is sent to the countryside to spend the summer with her grandmother. She’s unhappy and isolated, spending all her time indoors on her tablet rather than trying to make friends. But one day Naomi discovers her neighbour Sam (a young girl her age) has been taken over by an alien called Glitch who wants to experience life on earth for one day. When other aliens from Sam’s race show up to drag her back to her boring, sterile world, she becomes swept up in an adventure. Together, the two of them spend a day together avoiding capture and having fun.
Logline
A lonely girl glued to her tablet is thrust into a wild adventure when her neighbour is taken over by a friendly alien and discovers the thrills, fun and wonder that the real world has to offer.
Episode 2 Boys will be Boys (Germany)
The hottest summer on record: On the way to school, Caspar envies his best friend Emma, who is at least allowed to wear a skirt as part of her school uniform instead of warm long trousers. But then he has an idea how he can escape the heat and still adhere to the strict rules of headmistress Mrs Garde regarding their school uniforms – an idea that turns everything upside down and ends up changing the whole school.
Logline
During the hottest summer ever, Caspar finds a clever way to beat the heat—and strict uniform rules—sparking a school-wide shakeup that changes everything.
Episode 3 Nina’s Rhythm (Serbia)
A young girl named Nina is caught between the expectations of her family, particularly her mother, who envisions her as a singing princess, and Nina’s own passion for music as a drummer in a band.
Logline
Young Nina is torn between her parent’s dream of a perfect singing princess and her own fierce passion to rock out as a drummer in a band.
Episode 4 Two Peas in a Pod (Scotland)
Polly is a great mechanic. She’s been fixing her little sister’s bike, but is getting fed up of how annoying Peigi is, and how her beloved dad is never around to see all the great stuff she does. So when the local gang arrive with a bike to fix, and ask her to join them, she jumps at the chance. Finally some recognition!
But what starts off well enough – finding junk in the river, cleaning it up and selling it – soon turns much darker when Polly betrays her sister to save herself and impress the gang. As gang leader Donnie Dan shows his true horrible colours, will Polly do the right thing, ditch the gang, and make amends with Peigi?
Logline
Polly and her little sister Peigi have their relationship tested when the local gang appear. Will Polly ditch her sister and join the gang, or will the ties of family be stronger?
Episode 5 Ekaterini (Cyprus)
Katerina is a child of a large family, with 3 very lively brothers. She loves school, her lessons and especially History! In class, during a History lesson about Ekaterini Cornaro, the last queen of Cyprus, her teacher and classmates make fun of her, each in their own way. At home her brothers are their usual annoying and noisy selves, preventing her from studying her homework. She picks a fight with them and her parents take her brothers’ side. Feeling very disappointed, Katerina leaves the house. She enters an amazing world, of a more distant age, where things are very different.
Logline
Fed up with teasing at school and chaos at home, Katerina escapes into a magical past—where history comes to life and everything changes.
This summer, RTÉjr / RTÉ Kids proudly present Belonging, a fresh and vibrant anthology of five short film dramas for young audiences, featuring stories from Ireland, Germany, Serbia, Scotland, and Cyprus. Each episode offers a unique take on friendship, identity, and growing up—told through bold characters and imaginative adventures. At the heart of the series is Glitch, an exciting Irish story about Naomi, a tech-obsessed girl sent to the countryside, who finds herself swept up in a wild day of fun, freedom, and alien encounters that show her the wonder of the real world. Glitch highlights the outstanding new talents of Amy Rose Ó Hanlon as Naomi and Matilda Gavin as the quirky alien.
From rule-breaking in a heatwave to a drummer girl defying expectations, from magical history lessons to moral dilemmas and sibling bonds, Belonging is packed with energy, emotion, and global perspective. With rich storytelling, diverse characters, and original music composed specially for each film, this five-part series is perfect for curious young minds—and a reminder that no matter where you’re from, everyone deserves to feel like they belong.
Dyehouse Films 2025