Director Abbe Robinson couldn't believe it when her film Private Life was awarded the grand prize of the Planet Out Short Movie Awards 2007, the most prestigious gay and lesbian filmmaking prize in the world.

"We were thrilled to win this award - it feels like a fantastic reward for surviving the long journey to get the film made! I know other directors who have won the Planet Out Short Movie Award have gone on to direct feature films, so I hope I will also be able to further my career in that way... the $10,000 prize money will certainly come in handy for future projects!" says Abbe, who has recently worked on Brideshead Revisited as the director's assistant.

Private Life was funded through Screen Yorkshire's Lottery programme, which awards £20,000 to filmmakers who already have some experience. The scheme is aimed at giving participants an opportunity to take a clear step forward in terms of their career development.

Private Life was shot and produced almost entirely in the region, where the story is set. The film features stunning regional locations such as Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and Bolling Hall and Industrial Museum in Bradford. Set in 1952 and featuring striking costumes from the period, the results are impressive.

The film has been accepted into the Palm Springs Short Film Festival
which is an Academy Award (OSCAR) qualifying festival. The film has won the HBO Audience Award for Best Short Film at Provincetown
International Short Film Festival and a jury award at Montecatini Film Festival in Tuscany.

Short Film Funding