Screen Yorkshire Digital Shorts Encounter Film Success (23/09/2010)
Two short films commissioned by Screen Yorkshire under the digital shorts scheme have been accepted into competition at this year's Encounters Short Film Festival. SOUL FLOWERS and THE ASTRONOMER'S SUN will both be screened as part of the festival which takes place in Bristol, 16 - 21 November.
Widely regarded as one of the most important dates in the short film festival calendar, Encounters will feature SOUL FLOWERS, written by Joe Hepworth and directed by Tor Kristoffersen in competition in the best of British Programme, Brief Encounters. The short film has also recently been accepted into Jaipur International Film Fest in India and Tuscon Film and Music festival Arizona.
Soul Flowers Producer Sarah Senior said:
"I'm delighted that Soul Flowers has been selected to compete at Encounters. The Digital Shorts scheme is so important for young filmmakers to get an opportunity to make the films they want to make, and a valuable platform from which to launch their careers. My Digital Short commissions have helped me progress my career and expand my skills base, but its not just valuable for Directors, Writers and Producers - it allows other crew members to step up a level and take the next step in their career. I know a number of crew members from Soul Flowers were new entrants or stepping up a grade, and in the year since production they are now working regularly in those positions. Without the opportunity and the experience of producing a digital short I doubt my career would be where it is now, or that I would have been in a position to get into the NFTS where I'm now studying my MA in producing."
SOUL FLOWERS tells the story of Andy Butters (Matt Healy), who throws aside the dependable potato and risks the future of his farm and daughter (Brittany Martin) on magical Soul Flowers.
THE ASTRONOMER'S SUN, an animated short film made in a potting shed in Ilkley, will also be in competition in the British programme under Animated Encounters. The short film marks the directorial debut of Simon Cartwright and Jessica Cope. It was produced by David Bunting and Peter M Kershaw at Harrogate-based production company Duchy Parade Films on the 4mations strand of the Digital Shorts scheme run by Screen Yorkshire in partnership with Channel 4 and The UK Film Council.
The Astronomer's Sun has enjoyed considerable success on the international film festival circuit since it had its premiere as part of the British Animation Awards tour in February, where it was nominated for Best Short Film and received a special commendation. Key selections include; The Seattle International Film Festival (USA), The CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival Toronto, the Rushes Soho Shorts Festival, the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Melbourne International Film Festival.
The film has recently picked up a string of awards, including the inaugural Northern Futures Film Award, Barnsley, the Animation Award, Rome International Film Festival, Georgia USA and the Open Cinema Special prize, VI International Short and Animation Film Festival, St Petersburg Russia.
Screen Yorkshire's Digital Shorts scheme run in partnership with the UK Film Council, brings together individuals from across the region to form creative teams and has played a vital role in progressing filmmakers' careers since its launch in 2003.
