Winchester Film Festival Film Info 2021 by Smugsatire

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8-18 Nov

10th Anniversary

2021 winchesterfilmfestival.com Winchesterfilm

Winchesterfilm

Winchester Film Fest

Box Office

“Welcome.” can laugh, gasp and shed a tear together, no matter what our backgrounds, physical attributes or ideoligies. This year’s seleection of films promise to do just that delight, excite, provoke and inspire.

Welcome to the 10th anniversary edition of Winchester Film Festival. After everyone having to keep our distance to counter the threat of COVID-19, in a country divided by Brexit and polarised by Black Lives Matter, in a world threatened by global warming and increasingly fragmented by nationalism fueled by fake news...after all this, a sincere and heartfelt ‘welcome’ is perhaps more meaningful than ever. It signifies the re-opening of a door, an invitation to cross a threshold, bridge a gap and pop a bubble.

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, our 2021 programme includes special screenings of the most eyeopening and remarkable films from our decade of festival editions. We can’t wait to welcome you.

To welcome you properly, rather than holding a virtual festival during the pandemic, we decided to hold out until we could offer you the real thing - to do our bit to bring people back together again by providing an arena where we

John Hayes Festival director 2012 - 2021

5 remarkable award winning short films. Director’s selection from a decade of festival editions.

8-18 Nov

10th Anniversary

2021

Thursday 18 Nov | 7.30pm Tickets: £15 Box Office: 01962 840 440 theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

Box Office: winchesterfilmfestival.com

Films from 5 continents 60+ countries

Winchester’s window into the global zeitgeist 4

Our mission is to screen films that entertain, broaden horizons, provoke debate and reflect the burning issues of our time. John Hayes Festival director

Screening 11

Festival Director’s Picks

“

4 films that made me laugh, cry and grow. John Hayes, Festival direcotor

America

Ping Pong

Director: Natalia Lampropoulou Producer: Sotiris Petridis Cast: Grace Kendeall, Juston Deeley, Chris Devlin Greece, 2020, 10:07, subtitled A middle-aged woman works on a sex phone line so that she can stay at home and support her paraplegic daughter. It’s a good idea … until there is an unexpected caller.

Director: Paul Wyett Producer: Kieran Bew Cast: Geraldine Somerville (Gosford Park, Harry Potter), Emily Laing (The Go Between), Elliot Cowan (The Spanish Princess, Da Vinci’s Demons) UK,2020, 16:41 Beautifully acted, intimate British drama exploring the fragile bond between mother and daughter.

Calamity

Midnight Confession

Director: Shir Cohen Producer: Shir Cohen Cast: Noga Katz, Smadar Kilchinski, Eyal Nachmias, Ron Merhavi, Yafa Nachum Isreal, 2020, 22:45, subtitled Yael is struggling with being a teenage woman, struggling with her mother and struggling with the hierarchy of the kibbutz where she lives. A well observed and brilliantly directed short film. 6

Director: Maj Jukic Producer: Dominic Baker Cast: Marc Baylis (Arcadia, Coronation Street), Jennifer Preston (Britannia, Borg McEnroe), Harry Pudwell. UK,2020, 14:34 An emotionally sensitive exploration of the relationship between a parent and child during the early stages of a transition.

10th Annivarsary

Award Winning

FILMS To celebrate our 10th anniversary, the 2021 programme includes special screenings of the most eyeopening and remarkable award-winning films from the festival’s 10 year history,

Box Office

Vincent Lamb, Detainment Zuzanna Lis, WFF Photo: Julianbenjamin.com7

4000+ films received from 60+ countries

600 filmmakers brought to Winchester

from USA, Russia & 12 European countries Press & Promotion

4 film crews documenting the Festival 25 Interviews Press coverage on TV and in newspapers from 6 countries including the BBC, The Times and ITV

“

Well done Winchester for having the strength and the courage to not only screen but award such a brilliant and controversial film.

Screenings

15 screening venues 350 films screened 15 World premieres 28

European premieres

40+ UK premieres

Bolton Film Festival

50 Q&As 40 Interviews

The King’s City 8

Our story Ten years ago, in the cramped basement of the old Artcafe in Jewry Street, the first edition of what is now the Wincester Film Festival took place. It screened no more than 15 micro-films by local filmmakers. Today the festival selects from thousands of award winning short and feature length films from five continents and over 60 countries, with a glitzy black tie award ceremony that attracts many international filmmakers. During its ten year history, the festival has screened over 15 World premieres, 35 European premieres and over 40 UK premieres, many with visiting directors participating in audience Q&As. One such film was Detainment by Irishman Vincent Lambe, the polemic drama based on the real interview transcripts from the tragic James Bulger case that shocked the world in 1993. The film, which some see as humanising the two young murderers, continues to incite public outrage. So controversial was the film that on its release in 2018 no cinema or festival in the UK dared screen it. The only exception was Winchester Film Festival which not only premiered Detainment in the UK but also awarded it the accolade of Best Foreign Short Film. At this premiere, director Vincent Lambe and David James Smith who wrote a seminal book about the case, met one another for the first time at a unique Q&A at the Discovery Centre. Two months later Detainment was nominated for an Oscar, earning Winchester Film Festival the reputation as a ‘brave’ festival and firmly placing Winchester on the world map of contemporary culture.

The Festival’s metoeric rise has been no fluke. It has been down to the good will and adventurous spirit of a multitude of amazing industry professionals, volunteers, visionary sponsors, supporters and partners - in particular, our working partner the University of Winchester. It is then with immense gratitude to all those involved that we are here today to offer you astonishing films that entertain, broaden horizons, provoke debate and reflect the burning issues of our time.

WFF_Partners, Supporters & Sponsors 2011-2020

artcafé 10

WFA W I N C H E S T E R F I L M & A RT C I C

Festival Team - 2012 -2021

Founder/Director John Hayes Associate Director Paul Carter Assistant directors Zuzanna Lis Charlie Osman Team Managers Angus Brooke Megan Diment Grace Fordham Beth Kendall Weiss Zuzanna Lis Nicole Spiteri Administrator Ian Roberts Branding & Design C&CO Liaison Officers Jake Williams Gala Comperes John Hayes Peter Lydon Lucy Mazdon Jonah Weston Screening Hosts Paul Carter Alec Charles Estrella Fernandez Rob Ferrin Lorne Guy Kate Iles Zuzanna Lis Graham Lumb Caroline Sax Brian Thornton

Judges Paul Carter Estrella Fernandez Lorene Guy Kate Iles Sarah Lee Peter Lydon Alison Martin Lucy Mazdon Steven Sanderson Caroline Sax Tim Underwood Jonah Weston Screening Panel Paul Carter John Hayes Kate Iles Zuzanna Lis Ian Roberts Charlotte Wood Event Managers Hannah Baker Magda Corczynska Jodie Ellis Matt Keen Leona Small Jake Williams Charlotte Wood Interviewers Paul Carter Rob Ferrin Kate Iles James Johnston Promotional videos Zuzanna Lis Elliot Newmarch Ian Roberts Andrea Stovreide

Festival Film Crew Amy Baker Kate Barker Alex Bastow Jennifer Biedermann Joe Conyers Jodie Ellis Dan Grey George Heath Amy Jones Lilly Kristin Smørvik Katherine Marshall Dag Melbye David Mcentee Elliot Newmarch Sophie Pell Sophie Roberts Marius Satre Jack Smith Trish Somaiya Ingrid Stieng Andrea Stovreide Josh Walker Louise Wong Karl Wright Social Media Brooke Angus Pamela Balusheva Rhian Davis Maxime Lamblot Freya Lawrence Louise Wong Website Management Mathew Hampsey Dan Hudson Ed Johnson Cain Mackenzie

Official Photographers Julian Benjamin Patrick Hogg Can Sengunes Karl Wright Entertainment Jake Gauntlett The Dead Freights Film reviewers Elaine Chapman Pilar Sanchez Barrera Pilar Xue Jiang Puntaree Thanachan Festival Researcher Katya Pichugina Digital Manger Josh Walker Hospitality The Black Hole No5 Bridge Street Door Management Jack Ashton Kate Barker Matt Keen Jordan Sclater

Special Mentions Paul Cater Alec Charles Kevin Gover Zuzanna Lis Lucy Mazdon Charlie Osman Ian Roberts

FILIM S

2021 Screenings Details about Venues & Dates will be published via the WFF Box Office at: winchesterfilmfestival.com

“

Everyone’s immortal until they’re not. Victoria Schwab

4 exquisitely crafted films in which fiction and reality collide.

Dame

This Camera is Broken

Director: Foster Wilson Producer: Rebecca Bartlett Cast: Grace Kendall, Justin Deeley, Chris Devlin. USA, 2019, 08:01

Director: Joshua Hext Producer: Andrew St Maur Cast: Annabel Leventon, Ali Mylon, Cheryl Burniston. UK, 2019, 09:03

A grieving superstar returns to work after the tragic death of her husband and courageously delivers one of the greatest performances of her life.

In this wonderfully constructed film an ageing director working on her final film finds the line between the present and the past begins to blur.

Bajo La Palmera

Nearby Memories

A journalist embarks on a quest to find the real protagonists who inspired a novel by the celebrated Spanish writer Lorca, only to be thwarted by the truth.

Director: Pauline Moreau Producer: Geoffroy Virgery, Pauline Moreau Cast: Sasha Hékimian, David Clavel, Padrig Vion, Morgane Goaziou, Benoit Bouvet. France, 2019, 14:48, subtitled In this beautiful and lyrical short from France we follow Olivia as she embarks on a boat trip full of memories.

Director: Pau Bacardit Producer: Pau Bacardit Cast: Borja Espinosa, Silvia Casanova. Spain,2019, 20:00, subtitled

“

Arrête de dire me calmer Stop telling me to calm down Quote from Blue Ashes

4 emotive films about the act of letting go.

Another Day

Two Strangers

Director: Stuart Black & Satinder Gill Producer: Stuart Black, Alice Henley & Romain Kedochim. Cast: Alice Henley, William Bellchambers UK, 2019, 12:49 Following a tragedy, a young woman seeks one more day of normality in this moving drama...until reality bites.

Director: Sam Fayed Producer: Townhouse Media Filmworks Cast: Ashlie Atkinson, Will Brill, Zina Wilde, Sam Fayed. USA, 2020, 08:00 When Jason’s car breaks down outside of small mid-western town, a door opens that will enable him to escape his past but should he enter or run away from it?

Dinosaur

Blue Ashes

Director: Mori Thomson Producer: Mori Thomson, Jamie Cooper Cast: Ken Farrington, Anah Ruddin, Paul Mundell. UK, 2019, 14:52 A touching and challenging film in which a lonely, elderly man uses internet dating to find a companion for a very unique final journey.

Director: Thaddeus Christandl Producer: Thaddeus Christandl Cast: Adrien Bienvenu, Anne Hélène Orvelin, Zoé Catherine. France, 2019, 14:57, subtitled In this extremely timely film from France, a young family are desperate to leave the country - but at what price?

“

My mother raised me, then freed me.

Maya Angelou

4 emotionally charged films about motherhood.

Pola

Sydney

Director: Natalia Lampropoulou Producer: Sotiris Petridis Cast: Ioanna Lamni, Yannis Grezios, Marianna Pouregka. Greece, 2020, 10:07, subtitled A middle-aged woman works on a sex phone line so that she can stay at home and support her paraplegic daughter. It’s a good idea … until there is an unexpected caller.

Director: Paul Wyett Producer: Kieran Bew Cast: Geraldine Somerville (Gosford Park, Harry Potter), Emily Laing (The Go Between), Elliot Cowan (The Spanish Princess, Da Vinci’s Demons). UK,2020, 16:41 Beautifully acted, intimate British drama exploring the fragile bond between mother and daughter.

Yael’s Room

My Dad Marie

Director: Shir Cohen Producer: Shir Cohen Cast: Noga Katz, Smadar Kilchinski, Eyal Nachmias, Ron Merhavi, Yafa Nachum. Isreal, 2020, 22:45, subtitled Yael is struggling with being a teenage woman, struggling with her mother and struggling with the hierarchy of the kibbutz where she lives. A well observed and brilliantly directed short film.

Focus on Iran Back in 1977 the world’s attention was captured by the toppling of Iran’s monarchy and the establiment of an Islamic Republic. One of the consequences of the revolution was censorship which, one might assume, would restrict artistic expression. Yet in 1984 an Iranian film, The Runner by Amir Naderi, placed Iran back into focus as an unlikely global epicentre of film. In 1997 the Taste of Cherry consolidated Iran’s reputation as a hotbed for avant garde filmmaking. For the last three years, Winchester Film Festival has dedicated itself to providing contemporary Iranian filmmakers with a platfrom in the UK. Our four films on offer this year all touch upon the universal theme of escape, but not to the fantastical realms we often yearn for. 18

This too shall pass

Persian adage

4 Iranian films.

Behind the Yellow Line

Inhale

Director: Javad HabibPour Producer: Ali Ajoorloo, Javad Habibpour Cast: Meysam Valikhani, Saharnaz Abaszade. Iran, 2019, 21:50, subtitled An extremely brave and imaginative short film from Iran, as a young couple set out on a journey with two very different destinations.

Director: Nasser Zamiri Producers: Nasser Zamiri, Afsaneh Arzamani Cast: Mehrdad Bakhshi, Neda Asadi, Ali Yazarloo. Iran, 2020, 19:29, subtitled Ebrahim’s chronic insomnia is causing tension between him and his wife. What could be causing it? An emmotive and challenging short.

Death Locked Out

The Other

Director: Amir Karami Producer: Mohammad Pour Bozorg Cast: Nazanin Falahi, Afshin Jalali, Maryam Boobani. Iran, 2019, 18:59, subtitled A thoughtful Iranian short giving an intimate study of attitudes to death, marriage and society in an Islamic country.

Director: Samko Brothers (Saman Hosseinpuor & Ako Zandkarimi) Producer: Samko Brothers, Ravinder Dhaka, Diman Zandi & IYCS Cast: Majid Potki, Shenia Mozafarian, Mohammad Kermanshahi. Kurdish,produced in Iran, 24:42, subtitled This intimate film explores the effect of the death of a mother on her husband and daughter.

“

Hell is empty and all the devils are here.

William Shakespear

4 short films that blur the line that seperates sanity and madness.

The Dead Ones

Director: Stefan Georgiou Producer: Elettra Pizzi, Ed Bugge Cast: Olivia Hallinan, Sebastian Armesto, Vinette Robinson, Jim Conway. UK, 2019, 19:20 A tense thriller-horror about guilt and redemption, brilliantly and hauntingly directed.

Don’t Walk

Director: Hannah George Producer: Matt Hitt Cast: Toby Williams (Paddington, Sex Education), Rachel Stubbings (Sally 4 Ever), Richard Rycroft (Game of Thrones), Sukh Ojla (Victoria & Abdul). UK, 2019, 07:58 Two risk-averse walkers decide to throw caution to the wind - a funny, scary and bewitching short by a master filmmaker.

Off Grid

Director: Carl Timms Producer: Pip Piper, Carl Timms, Mark Brendan. Cast: James Cosmo MBE, (Trainspotting), Alison Steadman OBE, (Gavin and Stacey). UK,2020, 16:41 An A-list cast for this post-apocalyptic thriller which cleverly explores isolation and paranoia.

Avernus

Director: Simon Ross Producer: David Cunningham, Stephen Cranny Cast: Jamie Bamber (Battlestar Galactica, Strike Back), Kerry Norton (Bad Girls), David Yelland (Chariots of Fire). UK,2019, 11:04 A fast-moving, taut thriller combining an identity crisis and a growing anxiety - all carried off by a superb cast.

“

Only if you take your medication. It’s for your own good.

Quote from Innocence

4 shorts from new British Directors.

Innocence

Winter Coat

Director: Ben Reid Producer: Tibo Travers, Ken Ross Cast: Tommy Jessop (Line of Duty), Alice Lowe (Hot Fuzz), Lawrence Spellman (Chernobyl), Richard Glover (Darkest Hour), Beth Asher (Wild Bill), Faraz Ayub (Bodyguard). UK, 2020, 19:50 Brilliantly acted, thought-provoking drama which challenges screen stereotypes.

Director: Werner Vivier Producer: Costanza Rendini Manzoni Cast: Buddy Skelton, Angie Adler. UK,2019, 10:42 A clever, subtle exploration of the role of motherhood in a film which utilises an observational style to make its thoughtprovoking point..

Eulogy

Love from Santiago

Director: Mateo Willis Producer: Basil Stephens Cast: Craig Conway (Vera Drake), Tom Ashly (Doctor Who), Rose Ackroyd (Coronation Street). UK, 2019, 06:17 Moments before his funeral, a father’s dark past threatens the fragile peace between two brothers - by BAFTA & Emmy awardwinning filmmaker Mateo Willis.

Director: Inti Rowland Producer: Inti Rowland Cast: Deni Montana-Harrelson, Bastian Santelices Acevedo, Jaime Torres Pinto. UK,2019, 25:43 A semi-biographical film about a young woman as she escapes an abusive relationship and travels through Chile, finding freedom and taking back her power.

“

She’s not for the complete elimination of the male sex.

Quote from Synchronisation

4 wholly original foreign shorts from the 2021 Official Selection.

Synchronization

Director: Anna Kasińska Producer: Anna Kasińska, Joanna Ruta Baranowska Cast: Agnieszka Grochowska, Joanna Brodzik, Karolina Porcari, Justyna Suwala. Poland, 2019, 19:54, subtitled Set in the near future, this Polish short has beautiful art direction as it tells a roller-coaster tale of four women in search of a sperm donor..

Ice cubes

Director: Sara Dufossé Producer: La Ravageuse Saga Cast: Louise Manteau, Gaël Soudron. Belgium,2020, 10:21, subtitled A wonderfully bittersweet short from Belgium exploring the aftermath of a couple’s separation.

Crumbs

A Hard Goodbye

Director: Ettore Mengozzi Producer: Ettore Mengozzi Cast: Francesco Meola, Martina Cavazzana, Luca Avallone. Italy, 2020, 18:17, subtitled Living in a small apartment with thin walls, it’s difficult to not get involved with the lives of your neighbours - but this immersive Italian short suggests it’s not a good idea if you are vulnerable.

Director: Àngel Andreu Producer: Cast: Raúl Moreno, Bruna Jansà. Spain,2019, 12:39, subtitled A fascinating Spanish film giving an insight into the loving, but troubled relationship between brother and sister.

“

The only way to change things was to go out and break the law.

Quote from The Vasectomy Doctor

4 fascinating documetary shorts.

The Vasectomy Doctor

Time and Tide

Director: Paul Webster Producer: Ronan Cassidy Cast: Andrew Rynne, Ciaran McMahon, Zeb Moore, Norma Shealhan, Steve Gunn. Ireland, 2018, 11:00 Dr. Andrew Rynne, Ireland’s first vasectomist, became famous when a man walked into his surgery with a rifle. This is a story about Catholic Ireland and sexuality in the 80’s.

Director: Caleb Yule Producer: Harry McCarney UK,2019, 11:45 Steve and Keith are the last two seacoalers working today. They are independent spirits in a community that has persisted. This is their story.

The Lawnmower Men Director: Brendan Cleaves UK, 2019, 11:00 Every year in a field in West Sussex, the world’s most extreme endurance motorsport race takes place - on lawnmowers. This documentary delves into why somone would take part in such a bonkers sport. By the director of the multi-award winning comedy, Roger.

Stunned, I Remain Alert

Directors & Producers: Lucas H. Rossi dos Santos & Henrique Amud Brazil,2020, 15:00, subtitled Cast:Dermi Azevedo (Himself). A unique, sensorial documentary about Brazilian Journalist and human rights activist Dermi Azevedo who, having survived one military dictatorship, braces himself for the possibility of another.

“

If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story. Orson Welles

4 animated shorts.

Vern

Margins of Terror

Director: Natalie Elliott Writer: Natalie Elliott UK, 2019, 02:44 In this simple and comedic, yet deeply meaningful animation, Vern the vulture searches for a job while trying to fight his rotting-flesh-eating instincts.

Director: Kieran Mclister Composer: Mike Meurs UK,2020, 03:32 A short stop-motion comedy about a mad scientist driven to create the most horrific, terrifying giant monster ever seen – no matter how many attempts it takes.

Wandaland

Song Saprrow

Director: Richard Noble Narrator: Mike DelGaudio UK, 2019, 06:05 A weird and wonderful mixed-media animated biography of a fictional animation tycoon.

Director: Farzaneh Omidvarnia Producer: Farzaneh Omidvarnia Iran/Denmark,2019, 11:43 Song Sparrow is about immigration. Based on a real event, it is a timely reminder of the extraordinary risks people take in seach of a way out and a way in.

“

Every great artist who ever lived is local.

Anon

4 short films by Hampshire-based directors.

Squall

Whyfor

Director: Jack Trowbridge Producer: Jack Towbridge Cast: Richard Kiess, Rowan Mason, Robert Back. UK,2020, 08:36 A lowly hotel worker is caught in an existential loop. Doomed to carry out the same never ending task of setting up a formal dinner table, he listens to a dubious self help tape in search of meaning.

Director: Mark Brennan Producer: Daniel Clark Cast: Gary Beadle, Jessica Chamberlain, Corrinne Wicks, Tom Butcher, Chris Leany. UK, 2020, 13:48 Two strangers at rock bottom in their lives meet in a hotel bar, both hoping to put their respective broken worlds to rights.

Plunge Director: David James Holloway Producer: Samuel Lawrence, David James Holloway Cast: Olivia Poulet (The Thick Of It), Lottie Tolhurst (Harlots), Pedro Leandro (Wonder Woman), Jamal Franklin, Samuel Lawrence. UK,2019, 15:20 An intimate, personal and unflinching window into the world of individuals dealing with monumental change.

Opening Up Director: Ryan king Producer: Ryan King Cast: Maire McGovern. UK,2019, 1:58 A clever, amusing and innovative short closely considering the role one is given when you have no choice.

FEATURE-LENGTH FILM Woman of the Photographs Two people awakening for the first time to love and empathy.

Director: Takshi Kushida Producer: Shin Nishimura, Yousuke Sato DOP: Yu Oishi Sound Design: Masahiro Yui Editor: Atsushi Gaudi Production design: Shunsuke Okutani Cast: Hideki Negai, Itsuki Otaki, Toshiaki Inomata, Toki Koinuma. Japan, 2020, 1hr 28mins, subtitled

Kai is a middle-aged photographer and retouch artist. Kyoko is a beautiful model with an ugly scar she wants Kai to remove from the photos of her. Only her new perfect looks confuse Kyoto as she is torn between two selves - her real self and her image. Kai believes that only he can save her, even if it means death for him.

“

Won’t someone tell me who I am. Quote from Woman ot the Photographs

Screening 11

Festival Director’s Picks

“

4 films that made me laugh, cry and grow. John Hayes, Festival direcotor

America

Ping Pong

Calamity

Midnight Confession

2021 Screenings

Details about Venues & Dates are on the WFF_Box Office at: winchesterfilmfestival.com

10th Annivarsary

Best Picks from our Festival’s history.

Festival Director’s Picks Audience Picks Under 25’s Picks Comedy Picks Drama Picks Emotional Picks Thriller Picks Associate Director’s Picks Best of British

Festival Director’s Picks 2012-2021

America

Excuse me, Im looking for the Ping-Pong Room and my Girlfriend

Director: Aleksandra Terpinska Producer: Jerzy Lukaszewicz Cast: Marta Mazurek, Aleksandra Adamska, Bartosz Gelner, Andrzej Konopka. Poland, 2015, 29:58, subtitled Soulful Polish drama about the loss of innocence of two young women trying to realise their dreams in a brutal world in which truth interwines with fiction.

Director: Bernhard Wenger Producer: Florian Bayer, Clara Kö nig, Bernhard Wenger Cast: Rasmus Luthander, Anna Åström, Elli Tringou, Carl Achleitner. Austria, 2018, 23:11, subtitled Stylish, wonderfully acted Austrian comedy-drama set in the bizarre world of an alpine wellness resort.

Calamity

Midnight Confession

Director: Séverine De Streyker, Maxime Feyers Producer: Maxime Feyers Cast: Ingrid Heiderscheidt, François Maquet, Jean-Michel Balthazar, Bastien Ughetto, Judith Williquet, Arthur Marbaix. Belgium, 2017, 20:00, subtitled Multi-award winning, wonderfully acted Belgian drama about a mother’s reaction to the discovery of her son’ secret.

Director: Maxwell McCabe-Lokos Producer: Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, Cabot McNenly, Sebastian Pardo, Reil RochDecter. Cast: Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, Breed Wool, August Diehi, Anna Cordell, Julian Richings. Canada,2020, 10:22 Award-winning Canadian satire about a man in search of vindication and redemption. A classic short.

Audience Picks 2012-2021

Hard Way

Whoever was using this bed Director: Andrew Kotatko Producer: Marie Slaight, Andrew Kotatko. Cast: Jean-Marc Barr (The Big Blue, Europa), Radha Mitchell (Silent Hill), Jane Birkin (Death on the Nile). Australia, 2016, 20:00 Star-studded, multi-award winning Australian drama based on The Birdman by Raymond Carver.

Director: Daniel Vogelmann Producer: Fireapple Bandel.Gengnagel GbR. Cast: Oliver Tompsett, Hannah Britland, Charlie Anson, Ruby O.Fee. Germany,2017, 30:00 Surprising, wholly original, German action-musical about hard men with hard feelings out to get revenge against ‘The Mother’.

Nicola’s Cage

Retouch

Director: Josef Brandl Producer: Rike Steyer Cast: Pheline Roggan, Marcel Mohab, Jacques Palminger. Germany, 2019, 15:00, subtitled Sylish German comedy-drama about the secret inner worlds of an ambitious couple...who don’t really know one another.

Director: Kaveh Mazaheri Producer: Kaveh Mazaheri Cast: Sonia Sanjari, Mohammad Ziksari, Hana Fooladifard, Azadeh Abaadpoor, Hanieh Mofleh, Siamak Farsi, Foroogh Azizi, Negin Ahmadi, Shirin Harati, Hamed Nejabat. Iran,2017, 19:37, subtitled Original Iranian drama in which a woman is confronted with an opportunity to kill her husband without being suspected.

Under 25’s Picks 2012-2021

Menike Neko

Mimicry

Director: Jennifer von Schuckmann Producer: Jan Czmok Cast: Freya Kreutzkam, Bardo Böhlefeld, Carole Jachtmann, Maximilian Gehrlinger. Germany, 2018, 26:21, subtitled An eye-opening German sexual and spiritual road movie without cars. It’s the first film ever made about the still largely unknown phenomenon of girlfags in today’s queer spectrum.

Director: Manolis Mavris Producer: Mando and Myrto Stathi Cast: Giannis Diamantis, Nikol Drizi, Maria Filini, Haris Fragoulis, Anna Mihailou, Nikolitsa Ntrizi, Christos Stergioglou. Greece,2018, 18:51 Mind-boggling, multi-award winning Greek drama that magically entwines the desires of two strangers.

Play

Consenting Adults

Director: Vangelis Liberopoulos Producer: Stelios Cotionis, Vangelis Liberopoulos, Rodolfo Valentinos Kriezis Cast: Yannis Drakopoulos, Nikos Georgakis, Panis Kalofolias, Yiorgos Kentros, Sofia Kokkali. Greece, 2020, 30:00, subtitled Stylish Greek drama about 5 people who play out the dream of going through life as if it were a game - until reality bites.

Director: Alice Gruia Producer: Alice Cruia Cast: Jennifer Sabel, Claudius von Stolzmann, Alice Cruia. Germany,2017, 15:00, subtitled Stimulating German drama about the unravelling of a bickering couple who decide to speak the unspeakable.

Comedy Picks 2012-2021

Hampi

Under Mom’s Skirt

Director: Pim Algoed Producer: Marc Goyens Cast: Max Pairon, Peter Van den Begin, Günther Lesage, Jan Bijvoet. Beligium, 2020, 21:23, subtitled Belgian tragicomedy about a father’s touching attempt to unite his dysfunctional family. Set in India and Belgium.

Director: Sarah Heitz de Chabaneix Producer: Sarah Heitz de Chabaneix Cast: Françoise Miquelis, Sara Verhagen, Nacy Tate, Sylvain Savard. France,2017, 12.10, subtitled Clever, chic French comedy that challenges the generational gap between mother and daughter.

Doing Big Jobs

And then there were three

Director: Johannes Huth Producer: Matthias Renger, Philipp Lind, Jasmin Shahali, Johannes Huth Cast: Lea marles Woitack, Jasmin Shahali, Phillipp Lind, Lucie Hollmann. Germany, 2020, 13:43, subtitled Original German comedy-drama featuring love, jealousy, cocaine and a woman with terrible indigestion.

Director: Harvey Marcus Producer: Bruise Film Ltd Cast: Antonia Campell-Hughes (Bright Star), Tom Meeten (Skins). UK,2017, 19:41 Dark British Comedy where sexual mores, gender politics and suburban hanky panky collide. .

Drama Picks 2012-2021

Stalker

Inside

Director: Christopher Andrews Producer: Jacob Swan Hyam, Tessa Inkelaar Cast: Seán McGinley (Braveheart), Ewan Mitchell (The Last Kingdom), Brid Brennan (Shadow Dancer). UK, 2018, 19:20 An aging deer stalker pits his wits against a young poacher in this stunning British drama.

Director: Tiago Pimentel Producer: António Miguel Pereira, Tiago Pimentel Cast: Ruben Garcia, Sara Rio Frio, Fabíola Lebre. Portugal,2019, 16:22, subtitled Revelationary and thought-provoking Portuguese drama about the sexual tension between a man and a woman... and the impending scream.

I Grew a Statue

Adaptation

Director: Aaron Arens Producer: Christoph Degenhart DOP: Karl Küten Cast: Elias Arens, Merle Wasmuth. Germany, 2019, 30:00, subtitled Evocative German story of a man who is unable to distinguish between his real mistress and the dummy of her that he creates.

Director: Bartosz Kruhlik Producer: The National Polish Film School, Lodz. Cast: Michal Włodarczyk, Małgorzata Witkowska, Dariusz Siastacz. Poland,2016, 24:50, subtitled Moving Polish drama about coping with a death in the family, by the winner of the Polish Prize of the Minsitry of Culture.

Emotional Picks 2012-2021

Till the End of the World

Schoolyard Blues

Director: Florence Bouvy Producer: Eefje Helmus, Charlene Vos Cast: Linde van der Storm, Juda Goslinga, Gino Mutanda, Fred Goessens, Mike Libanon, Elisa Beuger. Netherlands, 2018, 26:33, subtitled Poignant Dutch drama about the strength of a child fighting for the unconditional love of her father.

Director: Maria Eriksson-Hecht Producer: Farima Karimi Cast: Dounglas Steyner, Olle Frelin. Sweden, 2017, 16:36, subtitled Touching Swedish drama in which a boy prepares his younger brother for the merciless demands of the school playground.

Daddy My

Leeches

Director: Matt Chambers Producer: Anu Anderson Cast: Rory Kinnear (Skyfall, Spectre, Black Mirror), Tom Burgering. UK, 2016, 14:28 Emotional British drama about an estranged father and son trying to reconnect - with an outstanding performance by Rory Kinnear.

Director: Payal Sethi Producer: Apoorva Marur, Payal Sethi. Cast: Sayani Gupta, Mohammed Abdul Rassak, Preeti Golacha, Najma Nusrat. India, 2016, 27:00, subtitled Soul-stirring Indian drama about a muslim woman’s attemp to save her 13 year old sister from a temporary arranged marraige to a foreign businesman.

Thriller Picks 2012-2021

Red

Fils

Director: Branko Tomovic Producer: Adrian Carswell, Khaled Kaisser, Brank Tomovic, Tobias Huber, Dina Vickermann. Cast: Brank Tomovic (The Bourne Ultimatum), Dervla Kirwan (Dr Who). UK, 2016, 20:00 Star-studded, heart-pounding drama about a tormented surgeon operating in the dark world of the red market.

Director: Cyrus Neshvad Producer: Cyrus Neshvad Cast: Hervé Sogne, Brigitte Urhausen. Luxembourg,2016, 15:00, subtitled Multi-award winning Luxembourg psychological thriller about a father who begins to question reality when his son slips into an interminable coma. Watch out for the twist.

Eddie

Transmission

Director: John Lynch Producer: Steve Parsons, John Lynch Make-up: Sarah Adamson Music: Paul Russell Cast: Jonny Vivash, Alan Mandel. UK, 2016, 12:30 British suspense drama with a black comic streak about an isolated researcher who questions why he must perform endless tests on a desperate, mute subject.

Director: Varun Raman Producer: Varun Raman, Tom Hancock Thomas Shawcroft Cast: James Hyland, Michael Shon, Kelby Keenan. UK,2017, 17:26 Exquisite British dystopian fever dream chillingly performed by James Harland, Michael Shon and Kelby Keenan.

Associate Director’s Picks

The Transfer

Detainment

Director: Michael Grudsky Producer:Nina Poschinski Cast: Ido Bartal, Imri Biton, Adeeb Safadi, Yair Mosssel, Tom Hagi. Isreal, 2017, 22:00, subtitled Three young Israeli soldiers must drive an Arab prisoner across the desert to Megiddo prison. Along the way something quite extraordinary happens.

Director: Vincent Lambe Producer: Darren Hahon, Vincent Lambe, Robert Dwyer-Joyce. Cast: Ely Solan, Leon Hughes, Tara Breahnach, Will O’Connell, David Ryan, Morgan C. Jones, Brian Fortune. Ireland,2018, 29:48 Polemic, star-studded, Academy Award nominated drama based on the interview transcripts of the James Bulger case.

Committed

Eden Hostel

Director: Lee Gilat Producer: Aviv ben Shlush, Ori Burg, Roei Zioni. Cast: Dover Koshashvili, Lital Schwartz, Bat-el Moseri. Isreal, 2018, 20:00, subtitled

Director: Gonzaga Manso Producer: Luis Manso Cast: Juana Andueza, Mario Alberto Díez, Verónica Forqué, Rafael Revuelta, Yanet Sierra. Spain, 2015, 14:00, subtitled Poignant and sumptuous Spanish drama about the human condition from the perspective of a statuette of the Virgin Mary in a seedy hotel.

A brave Israeli drama about two sisters who are polar opposites, forced to confront their beloved father’s mental illness and commit him to a psychiatric hospital.

Best of British

The Last Mermaid

Aamir

Director: Fi Kelly Producer: Angela Gourley Cast: Janey Godley (Wild Rose), Sanjeev Kohli (Stan & Ollie), Gabriel Quigley (Him & Her), James Young (Outlander). Greece, 2020, 16:08 Enchanting, heart-warming British comedy about an ageing, over-weight, brew-swilling mermaid tasked with keeping her species alive.

Director: Viki Evdokimenko Producer: Oliver shuster & Viki Evdokimenko Cast: Alan Asaad, Jasmine Blackborrow. DOP: Robbie Ryan UK,2018, 16:22 Multi-award winning short about a young migrant seeking salvation from Europe’s largest unofficial refugee camp.

Catch of the Day

Only Child

A beautiful and touching story of timeless love with an extraordinary twist,

Director: Andy Toovey Producer: Jackie Sheppard, Luke Walton. Cast: Eva Jane Willis (Chic Lit), Julian Lewis Jones (Invictus, Humans), Jonny Holden. UK,2016, 16:51 Touching British drama about a gypsy couple’s struggle to grieve the loss of the child they conceived during an affair.

Director: Geraint Huw Reynolds Producer: Geraint Huw Reynolds Cast: Alun Elidyr (Hinterland), Sharon Morgan (The Library Suicides), Rhys Downing (The Bastard Executioner), Sara Morgan (UnderMilk Wood). UK (Wales), 2017, 15:00, subtitled

Reviews

“

Such a wonderful and welcoming festival with excellent, very personal communications, great networking and a really high quality selection of international films that really make you think. Really impressed and highly recommend. Professional photo shoot, interviews and reviews for film makers at the gala night, nightly film makers’ networking drinks, great screening venues and a really fun and switched-on festival team PLUS £1000 prizes. Winchester is also beautiful and easy to get around …what’s not to like?!! Angela Gourley, Producer

“

The Winchester Film Festival was a wonderful festival to attend. Excellent communication, amazing festival staff and it was fascinating to see how they run things. They take brilliant care of filmmakers - excellent accommodation, networking events and an amazing black-tie awards ceremony! For the screening of my film, they even invited special guests and journalists with a specific interest in the topic of my film which made it a very special experience. It was a huge honour to win Best Foreign Short Film for 'Detainment'. Thank you so much for the beautiful award and prize money and for a really brilliant festival in such a charming place! Vicent Lambe, Oscar Nominee.

An excellent festival in all aspects. Careful programming and great communication! Khahil Charif, Producer

“

Amazing festival, brilliant line up of films, really well promoted and attended screenings. I really enjoyed attending the festival, the audience engagement and turn out was fantastic - a great platform with a passion for independent cinema. Greg Hall, Director

“

We absolutely loved attending the Winchester Film Festival and we definitely going back and urge any filmmakers out there to submit their film. A festival that cares for their upcoming filmmakers. Submit your film or you will regret it! Elicit Picture, Production company

“

The Winchester Film Festival is everything you'd want from a film festival! The team are terrific, and communication was easy and quick. I felt welcomed and part of the event, and I am honoured that our film screened this year. I particularly love the time given to audience Q&A's after each screen. Can't wait for next years! Daniel Harding, Director

“

Wonderful festival! John and his team really care about the filmmakers, we had one of the best festival experiences with Winchester Short Film Festival. Brilliant selection of films, great screenings, everything was outstanding! Thrilled to have been part of such a fantastic festival! Branko Tomovic, Director 43

VENUES

Everyman cinema Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester Planetarium Winchester Discovery Centre The Stripe, UOW West Side Theatre, WSA Hampshire Records Office Winchester HiFi P&G Wells St Lawrence Church Winchester Piano Studios The Railway Inn Stockbridge Town Hall The Artcafe Rawberry The Hyde Tavern

Black tie award gala 48

Photo: Julianbenjamin.com

MAKE THE CUT Study film at the University of Winchester

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Photo: Julianbenjamin.com

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