LIFF SHORTS celebrates the short film form in all its glory, with discoveries from around the world, across the UK and here in Yorkshire. We are thrilled to announce the winners in each short film award category. All the winners can currently be watched together in one programme on Leeds Film Player until 19 November. We want to say a huge thank you to our LIFF SHORTS Jurors, find out more about them here.
British Short Film Competition
Jury: Ryan Finnigan, Patrice Robinson and James Slater.
Winner: Half-Way by Alfie Barker
Special Mention: Care by Jagoda Tlok.
Leeds International Short Film Competition
Jury: Allegra Bell, Ilinca Vânău and Amy Hemmer.
Winner: Cross My Heart and Hope to Die by Sam Manacsa
Jury Statement on Winner: A film of impressive intensity and drama that lives intimately in the world of its characters. Unflinching in its approach to the subject of exploitative labour, the film rests on the fragile balance between hopelessness and hope. While the film is poignant and tragic, the empathy that the characters elicit lingers beyond the violence they face. A very personal directorial vision that is sure to make a mark in years to come.
Special Mention: Nothing But Shadows by Kathy Mitrani
Jury Statement on Special Mention: A gentle yet powerful film that explores grief in unexpected ways. It meanders delicately between mundane reality, superstition, fear of death, and uncertainty. Absences become palpable, as the personal loss of the protagonist is entangled with those of strangers long gone. A heartfelt, atmospheric, and visceral work with a playful approach to form.
Leeds Music Video Competition
Jury: Lee Goater, Emily Marlow and Vee Dagger.
Winner: CREMANTIQUE - Shjrunken Heads by Remy Powell Lamont
Jury Statement on Winner: Lively blend of mediums and techniques – live action, puppetry, animation – coming together to tell an imaginative but sympathetic tale of insomnia through horror pastiche.
Special Mentions: Here, at the End of All Things - foxwedding by Jonatan Egholm Keis & D'un Feu Secret - Cecile Mclorin Salvant by Amanda Bonaiuto.
Jury Statement on Here, at the End of All Things: Selected in tandem as both display strong command of respective mediums and engaging use of music. Masterful film photography lends a cinematic quality to this engaging and powerful story.
Jury Statement on D'un Feu Secret: Intriguing reworking of medieval music, art, and folk belief through simple but powerful animation that evokes a sense of eccentricity and uncanniness.
Leeds Queer Short Film Competition
Jury: Rachel Johnson, Alice Parsons and Manu Valcarce.
Winner: An Avocado Pit by Ary Zara
Special Mentions: The Sketch by Tomas Cali and Lifebuoy by Rajitha Hettiararchchi & Kavindu Sivarajha.
Screendance Short Film Competition
Jury: Omari Carter, Nicola Hepp and Kyra Norman.
Winner: Dear Passengers by Madli Lääne
Special Mention: Space End by Wilder Yari
World Animation Competition
Jury: Christopher Childs, Laura N-Tamara and Bára Anna Stejskalová.
Winner: 27 by Flóra Anna Buda
Jury Statement on Winner: The first prize goes to an absolute banger. It really expresses the spirit and anxieties of our current generation. Visually captivating, funny and unapologetic, “27” by Flora Anna Buda is a must see.
Special Mentions: GMAN: a qixia in space by Yuchen Liu & Such Miracles Do Happen by Barbara Rupik.
Jury Statement on GMAN: a gixia in space: This film subverts mainstream tropes into avant-garde visuals and story telling. “GMAN: a qixia in space” by Yuchen Liu is unhinged cinema in the best way possible.
Jury Statement on Such Miracles Do Happen: This stop-motion defied our expectations with strong uncanny qualities. We appreciated the uniqueness of the voice and style in “Such Miracles Do Happen” by Barbara Rupik.
Yorkshire Short Film Competition
Jury: Ryan Finnigan, Patrice Robinson and James Slater.
Winner: F.O.G by Malinda Kaur
Special Mentions: Kate is Sad by Annie Foulkes
