Tuesday, May 13th, 2014
Words: Emmaalouise Smith
As the festival comes to a close, with the last screening “Shorts Part Three” tonight (13th May) at Odeon Riverside, we look back to the stand-out moments of last night’s Part Two showcase. There were laughs, gasps and pin-drop silences, as the audience were guided through a programme of mockumentary, magic, witty screenwriting as well as delving into outer space for the last revelation of the night… The organisers were joined by a crowd of film goers for an inspiring networking opportunity which followed the shorts, where film-making stories and optimism were commonly shared.
And before we look forward to our last event before the well-deserved closing night PARTY, here are our highlights.
A Day In The Life Of A Bathroom Mirror. Dir. Phil Hawkins. UK
The well-written narrative of this short drew the most laughs from last night’s audience- told through the ‘eyes’ of the film’s protagonist, entirely believable, almost too homely- it stood out amongst some of the other more serious films of the night.
The Gravedigger’s Tale. Min Young Oh. UK
This NFTS animation short is beautiful for both the eyes and ears. The quality of the animation and cinematography, against the melancholy soundtrack really draw you into the sadness and personal nature of the piece. With ghostly apparitions haunting your thoughts, this is one short to remember.
The Hummingbird. Rafa Pavon. Spain
A particular favourite amongst the festival organisers; the film’s documentary style almost seems to unreal to believe, the silence in the auditorium was shattering. The film has won numerous awards worldwide and it echoes in your mind long after viewing- a definite talking point during the networking session and well worth a second viewing.
Reboot. Liam Johnson. UK
The narrative of this film flits from nostalgia, to gore in an instant. This well thought-out film made the audience squirm and revel in silence at the heart renching ‘flashbacks’ of this family photo-album story. Everyone can relate, and the almost sci-fi themes really contrast to what is being told, enough to keep everyone wanting more.