Reed Long List

Good news, 'Witches Brew' has made the final 50 for this years Reed Short Film Contest.  All the shortlisted films can be viewed here.

http://www.reed.co.uk/film/longlist/2013

Witches Brew

'Witches Brew', the new L&D production for the Reed short film contest is complete and can be viewed here....https://vimeo.com/57161233

The shoot was a bit hectic, but the results speak for themselves.  I'm keep everything crossed for the Reed contest.  We're also in the running for the Shooting People Film of the Month contest, so any Shooting People patrons please head over there and give us a vote.

It was great to be working with Anna Gilthorpe, Jacky Wood and Sylvia Robson again who really threw themselves into their witchy roles.

In other news 'Saw Misgivings' will be showing at the St Albans Film Festival and Derby's Five Lamps film night in March.  If you're around then pop along.  Also, if you're in France during March/April then pop along to the Mauvais Genre Film Fetival where 'Saw' Misgivings' will be having its French premiere. 

Loco and London Short Film Festival

'Saw Misgivings' will be screening at the London Short Comedy Film Festival and the London Short Film Festival in January.  I'm hoping to attend both all being well.

In other news we'll be shooting a new short for the Reed Short film contest on the 7th January.  It's another comedy short/sketch and revolves around 3 witches battling to take over the world, only one of the witches has something else on her mind.  It's a cracking script and I'm pleased to be working with 3 regular Loonatik and Drinks performers to produce what promises to be something special and hopefully slightly amusing.

'The Haunted Dolls House' draws ever closer.  I'm been reliably informed that it should be completed for Xmas eve.  On completion we'll be getting it out to festivals for all the world to see.

In the mean time, have a cracking Christmas from all at Loonatik and Drinks and I look forward to bringing you more quality shorts in the New Year.

Cofilmic and Leeds and Haunted Dolls

I've been dashing around various film festivals over the last few weeks.  I had a splendid time at Cofilmic in Manchester again.  Saw some wonderful shorts and listened to some interesting talks.  It was especially interesting to hear the 'Black Pond' chaps talk about how they got their film together.  Very inspirational for anyone considering a low budget feature film.  It turns out it is possible to make a feature film despite what people say.  We came back empty handed but all of my films got some great feedback and I got to hang out with old friends and even make some new ones.  I was especially impressed by the work of 'the hot gulp' sketch group.  I urge you to check them out on t'web.  http://www.thehotgulp.com/

Following that I went over to the Leeds International Film Festival for a few days.  This is a truly great film festival that really draws in the crowds from across the country.  I was there representing 'Saw Misgivings' as well as making my first appearance on a Jury for the British Shorts and Yorkshire Shorts catergories.  I was a genuine honour to be on the Jury and I found it a great experience.  The winning films were amazing and I hope to see more from the film makers in the future.  See here for more details http://www.leedsfilm.com/news/british-short-film-competition-2012-yorkshire-short-film-competition-2012-winner-announced/

I'm back to writing a new short for the Reed short film contest and then hopefully in the new year me and Steve will be hooking up to work on 1 or possibly 2 micro shorts.  I'll keep you posted.

And finally, we have great news from Bristol that the third of our M.R.James adaptations is nearing completion.  'The Haunted Dolls House' has been a labour of love over the last year since we shot it.  Half live action, half stop motion animation, it promises to be our most ambitious and dare I say it, best M.R.James tale to date.  I can't wait to see it!

Cofilmic and San Sebastian

We've got a couple of big screenings over the next few days.  First up is Cofilmic where I've got a grand total of 3 films showing.  I had a fantastic time there last year and I'm really looking forward to catching up with some familiar faces from last year.  'Saw Misgivings' and 'PTA' are both finalists in the Short and Sketch category.  Cofilmic are also showing the sitcom pilot I directed for 'Til We Leave'.  It'll be good to see them all on the big screen, I'm especially looking forward to the world premiere of 'PTA'.

'Saw Misgivings' is also showing as part of the 23rd San Sebastian Horror and Fantasy festival where we are in the running for the Golden Melies competition.  Sadly I can't attend the festival but I'm so proud to be one of only 17 international shorts to be shown.

Special Mention

We're back from a busy weekend attending film festivals both located in wonderful settings.  First up was the Crystal Palace Film Festival where we were screening in a lovely Church.  After a false start 'Saw Misgivings' was shown to a very receptive audience.  I was genuinely blown away by the response of the crowd.  We also saw some cracking shorts, best of all was the beautiful 'Mother Earth' by James Dyer and 'Nostalgic Z' by Carl Bouteiller, which ranks as one of the finest zombie films I've ever seen and so deserves to be made into a feature.

Following that we headed out to Stockport for the Screen Stockport film festival where we got a warm welcome at the wonderful art deco Plaza Cinema.  We got to listen to a great q&a with Mat Whitecross and got a sneak peek at 'Spike Island'.  Best of all we were granted a special mention for 'Saw Migivings'.  Film of the festival for us was the best short winner '82' by Calum MacDiarmid and starring Nick Moran.

Looking forward to heading over to Cofilmic at the end of the month and then in November I'm heading over to the Leeds International Film Festival where I'm on the short film jury.  Can't wait.

More Festivals

We had a great time at Encounters and saw some wonderful animated shorts.  Sadly we didn't win the Depict! prize but congratulations to Mole Hill who was a well deserving winner.

'Saw Misgivings' has picked up two big screenings this week.  First up is the San Sebastian Horror and Fantasy Festival http://www.donostiakultura.com/terror/2012/index.php

Secondly we'll be showing at Cofilmic http://www.cofilmic.co.uk/ in Manchester at the end of October, this is the festival where 'The Office Orphan' won last year so I'm very much looking forward to returning.  Best of all, they've also picked my new sketch 'PTA' to screen as well.  Two films in one festival, can't be bad.