The Astronomer's Sun Shines at Comic Con (27/01/2011)
THE ASTRONOMER'S SUN, Screen Yorkshire’s most successful animated short film to date, has continued its run of awards success by picking up 3 awards at the Comic Con Film Festival in Albuquerque, bringing its awards total to 12 wins in as many months.
The short film, commissioned by Screen Yorkshire under the Digital Shorts scheme, scored a hatrick at the awards ceremony in Albuquerque USA, scooping 3 awards and being named as one of the best performing films of the night, watched by over 1,000 people. Co-producer Peter Kershaw was there in person to collect the awards for Best Film, Best Cinematography and the Audience Award.
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 almost a year ago, 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, Encounters Short Film Festival, Bristol, the Rushes Soho Shorts Festival, the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Melbourne International Film Festival.
The film had its broadcast premiere with a screening on Channel 4 in October 2010 and has recently picked up a string of awards at festivals across the globe, including:
- Best Film at the inaugural Northern Futures Film Award, Barnsley
- Best Animated Short, Rome International Film Festival, Georgia USA
- Best Short Film, Santa Fe Film Festival 2010, USA
- Open Cinema Special prize, VI International Short and Animation Film Festival, St Petersburg Russia.
- Best Yorkshire Short, Leeds International Film Festival
Made in a potting shed in Ilkley, The Astronomer’s Sun 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 will be screening at Armley Mills Miniciné this Sunday (30th Jan) as part of an afternoon dedicated to short film. For more information and to book, click here.
