Penpusher
dir. Guillaume Martinez
France, 2006
8 mins, 7 secs
A day like any other on the Parisian metro – or maybe not? A young man sits quietly reading his book. A young woman is sitting next to him. They have nothing in common, nor do they know each other in the slightest. In spite of this, something quite unexpected occurs between them, in full view of all the other passengers. And yet, none of the other travellers seem to notice.
Guillaume Martinez was born in Limoges France, and grew up throughout the world: Egypt, Mexico, Turkey. His first professional short film Gratte-papier / Penpusher was awarded with a Silver Bear in 2006 at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival.
Born to Run
dir. Scott Graham
UK, 2006
14 mins, 25 secs
Starring local people in the lead roles, the film follows a 17-year-old boy racer and his girlfriend who are falling in love exactly as the boy’s parents did at his age. While the teenagers race to be alone together, the parents spend the evening apart reflecting on the choices they made when they were 17. Born to Run is about how history repeats itself for young men and women in this part of Scotland, and asks whether to regret falling in love if it means you never leave your hometown.
Born to Run has just screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and is now set for release at festivals worldwide in 2006 and 2007.
The Really Terrible Orchestra
dir. Edward Brooke-Hitching
UK, 2005
10 mins
"A triumph of enthusiasm over incompetence” was how the jury panel of the Edinburgh International Film Festival described Edward Brooke-Hitching’s short film. The Really Terrible Orchestra provides refuge for the cream of Edinburgh’s musically disadvantaged, where the use of sheet music is discouraged for being “too distracting”. But who are these people who freely admit their lack of accomplishment, who frequently demonstrate their incapabilities to audiences in the hundreds? This documentary follows the orchestra’s chairman as he prepares for an upcoming performance, interviewing the players and their cult following to find out why they play, and why oh why do people listen?
Edward Brooke- Hitching graduated from the University of Exeter with a distinction in filmmaking and currently works for a London-based production and post-production company. In his spare time Edward produces documentaries that focus on idiosyncratic aspects of British life.
Winner of the Short Scottish Documentary Award, supported by Bailie Gifford at Edinburgh International Film Festival 2006.
Ex Memoria
dir. Josh Appignanesi
UK, 2006
15 mins
Ex Memoria is the result of a collaboration between the award winning writer/director Josh Appignanesi and lecturers from Bradford Dementia Group, a division of the University of Bradford’s School of Health Studies. The idea for the film came from Appignanesi’s visits to his grandmother, who was the inspiration for the film’s central character of Eva when she had dementia and was living in nursing home.
Josh Appignanesi's first feature Song of Songs premiered at EIFF 2005, and received a Special Commendation for the Michael Powell Award for Best British Film. He began directing television documentaries whilst studying anthropology at Cambridge University, and has made six short fiction films.
Death of the Revolution
dir. Ben and Chris Blaine
UK, 2006
6 mins
When Tony is told off for stealing a pencil, his ten-year old logic seethes at the injustice. What course of action is open to him other than to inspire a juvenile revolt? With truth, justice and his comrade pupils marching by his side, what can possibly stop him?
Currently completing Hallo Panda for UK Film Council and FilmFour through the Cinema Extreme scheme, Ben and Chris Blaine have directed several short films, including Crowd Scene for Existentialists, Russell Square, Burnt Bernard, Old Man Dies and Free Speech, which was nominated for best film at Soho Rushes 2004. They also run the Shooting People Mobile Cinema, a travelling showcase of shorts by talented new filmmakers across the UK.
Motordrom
dir. Joerg Wagner
Germany, 2006
9 mins
The world of the hellriders in their wooden barrel: men and motorbikes, speed and stunts, gasoline and adrenaline. A dying fairground attraction, portrayed in a thrilling homage with 5000 rounds per minute.
Joerg Wagner was born in 1967 in Stuttgart. He studied audiovisual media, worked as a projectionist and has presented various short film events and live comedy shows. He worked several years for the Hamburg Short Film Agency and the Hamburg Short Film Festival. Besides his own short films he writes scripts for film and television productions.
Rabbit
dir. Run Wrake
UK, 2005
8 mins, 30 secs
Run Wrake’s animated film Rabbit won the McLaren award for new British animation. A dream like but dark story of lost innocence and the random justice of nature, told with curious images from a distant childhood. When an idol is found in the stomach of a rabbit, great riches follow, but for how long?
Run Wrake has lived in London and worked as a freelance animator since graduating from the Animation MA course at the Royal College of Art 1990. He has produced several self-financed short films alongside commercials, titles and music videos( notably for Howie B and The Charlatans). For many years he contributed regular illustrations to NME magazine.
