The best European short films shown at the Cannes in a Van Film Festival

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KYASMA // Radioactivity (dir. Jean-Paul Frenay)

October 26, 2013 at 10:55 pm

This cinematic sci-fi thriller of a music video directed by Jean-Paul Frenay (and funded by Swiss rock band Kyasma) tells the tale of a ‘looming crystalline disease’ that inevitably takes it’s toll on the promo’s main protagonist, played by Denis Carpentier. It was shortlisted for Best Music-based Film at The Van d’Or Awards 2013 and is included in the 2014 season Official Selection for Cannes in a Van. It’ll also be screening at the next Screen Social in London on Wednesday 13th November.

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At last… ‘Roger’ is now online!

August 16, 2013 at 1:53 pm

As if by magic, as our 2013 Van d’Or Awards come into view, one of the real gems from last year is finally available online! Roger The Real-life Superhero, directed by Cathy MacDonald is a simply brilliant documentary about one simply brilliant human-being. Winner of Best Documentary at the 2012 Van d’Or Independent Film Awards, the film follows nineteen-year-old Roger Hayhurst who lives on an estate in Salford, Manchester. With the unwavering support of his mum Jennifer, Roger dresses in a spandex [...]

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The Anchor (dir. Luke Daniels)

August 6, 2013 at 9:33 pm

A favourite from the 2011 Van d’Or Awards, director Luke Daniels‘ perfectly-formed (in our opinion) poignant short film features the stirling acting talents of one Liam Bewley who is currently appearing in a Marmite viral near you (and an excellent ‘yeast-extract welfare officer’ he makes too). Co-written by both Bewley and Daniels, the film won the Van d’Or for Best Screenplay and tells the tale of a one man and his relationship with a bar stool. The Anchor is touching, clever [...]

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This Is Colin (dir. Perrie Murphy)

July 23, 2013 at 10:37 pm

Nominated for Best Comedy and Best Animation at The Van d’Or Awards 2012, This Is Colin is a dark and funny film about a man who very suddenly realises that he hated everything in his life and everything that he knew, including his pet goldfish Vivian. He sets out on a path of destruction, finally stumbling upon something that changes his life for the better. This is Colin contains some strong language and cartoon nudity.

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Trunks (dir. David Hewitt)

July 23, 2013 at 10:14 pm

The winner of Best Screenplay at the 2012 Van d’Or Awards is this interesting dialogue driven visual oasis. With a unique approach to short film narrative through a mix of time-shift, underwater photography and suggestion, Trunks comes up with something new. It was selected for countless film festivals in the UK and abroad as well as being nominated in the Best Drama, Best Cinematography and overall Best Film categories at the Van d’Ors.

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Rouw (Mourn) (dir. Nils Gerbens)

July 23, 2013 at 9:47 pm

This short from The Netherlands won the Best Comedy award at the Van d’Ors in 2012. It’s notable for its use of visual comedy, clearly showing influence from silent comedy films of the 1920s. Director Nils Gerbens created the dark comedy for a 48 hour film project. Its first screening was at the Dutch Film Festival in Utrecht.

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Taking Life (dir. Steve Reeves)

July 10, 2013 at 9:15 am

This is the winning film in the 2012 Van d’Or Awards Best Director category. Director Steve Reeves‘ gripping short Taking Life is a taster of what we can expect from his recently completed feature Keeping Rosy starring the brilliant actress Maxine Peake. It’s a perfectly crafted short film, but is more than that – it was made as a vehicle to secure funding for a feature which expands the story. Due to the success of the film at various awards [...]

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Hinode (dir. Tetsuka Niiyama)

June 3, 2013 at 11:42 pm

This beautiful piece of motion design was a recent submission for our monthly film night Screen Social.

“This is a CG movie that depicts saltation and growth of life in the sea using jewelry as the motif for illustrating the theme “Jewels of Sea.” It creates mystifying and attractive scenery by the ores resembling creatures of sea and its transforming refraction and reflection of light that are affected by the organic moves.”

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Tell Tale (dir. Michael Middleton-Downer)

May 30, 2013 at 11:12 pm

Director Michael Middleton-Downer was at Cannes in a Van 2013 to screen Tell Tale, his entry into the London Sci-Fi Festival’s 48 hr challenge. Mike had previously worked on Van d’Or Awards 2012 Best Director winner Steve Reeves’ debut feature film Keeping Rosy. Click here to see our interview with Mike.

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Project Kronos (dir. Hasraf Dulull)

April 29, 2013 at 9:57 pm

From the guy who brought us dogs and cats at war in his epic motion graphic short Fubar Redux, comes this intriguing documentary treatment of a futuristic journey through space research, Project Kronos. With a huge amount of work behind this new film, Hasraf Dulull seems set to direct an effects-heavy feature, perhaps expanding on his take on interstellar space travel. We hope to welcome Hasraf back for a screening at a future Screen Social.

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ONE TO WATCH: Mum Says
(dir. John Brown)

April 27, 2013 at 11:52 pm

This is the one that got away, but perhaps it makes the film stronger for it. Mum Says is an intense drama about a young boy who lives in a fractured middle class family environment. He is coming to terms with his parents and who they really are. Brilliantly directed by John Brown, the film surprisingly walked away empty-handed at the 2012 Van d’Or Independent Film Awards. Though unsuccessful in securing a gold-van-statuette (who wouldn’t want one), the film has picked [...]

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Spin Spun Span (dir. Emily & Anne)

April 20, 2013 at 11:02 pm

Screened previously at Screen Social, this is ‘a surreal journey through the cotton factories of the North West of England, led by a choir of singing spindles and a spinning mule. This short film was commissioned by Bolton Museum & Archives for their permanent collection. Joint copyright is held by the Museum and the film’s directors Emily Howells and Anne Wilkins.’ Animation: Emily Howells & Anne Wilkins Music: Billy Payne emilyandanne.co.uk

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