World Student Shorts

Film schools are the breeding ground of emerging talent, and this year we are showing our support by showcasing some exciting work from the best international schools. This is an opportunity for film students and film lovers to discover works of fiction and animation that overcome the limitations of a student budget, proving that all you need is talent and determination. Included in the programme are the powerful Bulgarian tragedy Winterlong, the beautifully humane In between from the prestigious Lodz Film School, and the uniquely executed Panoesthesia from the USC.

Winterlong
Dir. Timo Kalevi Puukko, National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts, Bulgaria, 2005, 17mins, Beta SP, UK Premiere
Contact: Timo Kalevi Puukko
timopuukko@yahoo.com

A powerful and lyrical film about the catastrophic conflict between nature and science, and its impact on an unsuspecting family in the Bulgarian countryside. A story that unravels slowly to tragically moving effect.

Panoesthesia
Dir. Brad Schaider, University of Southern California, USA, 2006, 6mins, Beta SP European Premiere
Contact: USC, Sandrine Cassidy
scassidy@cinema.usc.edu

A feast for the eyes, this experimental short uses animation, stop-motion photography, and visual effects, in combination with on-location shooting and a unique soundtrack, to stunning effect.

The Image of Beauty (L'Image du Beau)
Dir. Christine Crepin, UQAM, Canada, 2007, 10mins, BetaSP, European Premiere
Contact: Christine Crepin
Crep16@hotmail.com

In a world where big is beautiful, Delphine tries her best to gain weight and be seen as normal. Funny and quirky, this film shows that even if perceptions change, there's always the same price to pay.

Viggo, the Pirate
Dir. Jacob Ley, National Film School of Denmark, 2006, 8mins, 35mm
Contact: National Film School of Denmark, Elizabeth Rozen
elr@filmskolen.dk

In this funny animation film, Viggo and Ying try to get close amidst a pirate school competition. When all hell breaks loose, their determination will prove stronger than their adversaries.

In between (Pomiedzy)
Dir. Jose Enrique Iglesias Vigil, Lodz Film School, Poland, 2006, 16mins, 35mm
Contact: Andrej Bernadek, Lodz Film School
swzfilm@filmschool.lodz.pl

A young couple divided by a pregnancy; she wants to keep it, he doesn't know how to deal with it. A tale about contemporary relationships, and the frustration of being stuck in between.

Swimming away (Voie d'Eau)
Dir. Matthieu-David Cournot, FEMIS, France, 2006, 11mins, 35mm, UK Premiere
Contact: Unifrance, Ainhoa Jauregui
Ainhoa.jauregui@unifrance.org

Trying to cope with grief, a young woman finds an extraordinary way to escape from reality. Moving, stunning, and beautifully shot, this film puts the boundaries of imagination to the test.

Flatshare
Dir. Jason Yi, London Film School, UK, 2007, 17mins, 35mm, World Premiere
Contact: London Film School, Chrissy Bright
c.bright@lfs.org.uk

Sharing a flat is not always fun. Echoing the style of Cassavetes and early Leigh, this dialogue-based, b&w short displays a great skill for narrative economy and realistic characterization.

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