And that’s a wrap on the 2022 edition of Kino Short Film presents “The People’s Film Festival”. We hope you’ve had a great time over the past week, whether that be with us in the cinema or streaming online. Last night the festival came to its climax with our Awards Gala. Congrats to all the Officially Selected, Nominated, and of course Award Winning filmmakers.
Audience Awards
Grand Prize Winner
James Newman (Viskar I Vinden)
Recipient of our £1000 Film Fund
Best Micro-Budget Short
OUT OF ORBIT
directed by Jess Kay & Dann Emmons,
written by Jess Kay
produced by Jess Kay, Dann Emmons, Raghav Mukerji, & Charlotte Hardick
When Esme’s mum dies, her world falls apart. She struggles to navigate her day to day life until she gets an idea, fueled by their mutual love of space, which may lead to the relief she so longs for.
Best Low Budget Short
VISKAR I VINDEN
written & directed by James Newman
produced by Harry Newman & James Newman
A feisty forensic investigator is gathering evidence at the murder scene. Until the corpse posthumously communicates with the investigators through its decaying farts. They must conduct a most unusual interview to catch the killer.
Best Sponsored Short
STANDSTILL
written & directed by Katia Shannon
produced by Gareth Brown & Katia Shannon
A fight to get through the gridlock becomes a fight for survival for Amanda as her body comes to a standstill.
Audience Award
Myrtle
directed by Patricia McCormack
written by Megan Barker
produced by Shaheen Schleifer
Myrtle, a trailer park Mom from Indiana, cooks dinner for her son. But something's not quite right. This kitchen is anonymous, industrial, and Myrtle's working to a deadline. As her composure unravels, we realize that 21 grams is all that separates life from death.
Jury Awards
Best Drama Short
PORTRAIT
written & directed by Keir Siewert, produced by Alix Austin
'Based on real accounts, a model takes matters into her own hands
to expose a serial predator in the photography world.'
Rhetta, an industrious model, sets up a shoot with a predatory photographer, notorious for his coercion tactics and aggressive actions. However, little does he realise that Rhetta has orchestrated this meeting as a sting to expose his inappropriate behaviour on an online video live stream.
Winner of the Genera grant, Portrait is a tense drama built on research from interviews with 21 models about their experiences overcoming the abuse of power in the photography world.
Best Comedy Short
THANK YOU SO MUCH
written & directed by Tomasz Frymorgen
produced by Brianna Ferguson & Tomasz Frymorgen
During the UK's Thursday evening clap for healthcare workers, an over-virtuous neighbour is challenged by the nurse next door. His only way to avoid public humiliation is to crush the heretic before him.
This short satirical film searches for the line between encouraging virtue and enforcing submission in pandemic Britain. It’s about class divides, witch hunts and the darkness beneath our most righteous performances.
Best Horror Short
#NOFILTER
written & directed by Nathan Crooker
produced by Nathan Crooker & Maya Korn
#Nofilter addresses the ever-growing issue surrounding Body Dysmorphic Disorder through the eyes of Beth, an insecure twenty-something, who becomes obsessed with an insidious filter, leaving her to question true beauty. It is a cautionary tale for all those obsessed by "likes," being flawless, and thinking that somehow social media is the magical cure-all for happiness. The film stars Kelly Lamor Wilson and Misha Osherovich from Blumhouse's "Freaky."
Best Documentary Short
FINDING BEAST
written & directed by Olivia Accardo
produced by Will Mason, Sofia Snyder & Kristen Politis
Best Animated Short
MEMENTO MORI
directed by Paul O'Flanagan
written by Paul O'Flanagan & Laura O'Flanagan
produced by Louise Ní Chonchúir
A storm brews over Victorian Dublin as post-mortem photographer, Mr.Huxley, returns to his hallowed practice within the gloomy townhouse in which he resides. His latest subject is a recently-deceased young woman, whose presence conjures the demons of Huxley's character - compelling him to confront the narcissistic life he has chosen to lead.
