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Final Round

Vote now. Top three films go to this month's patron.

Voting for this month ends:

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Films of the month of: December

Judge

Lucy Walker

Director of docs Countdown to Zero, Waste Land, Blindsight and Devil's Playground, Lucy Walker, will be 2010's final judge in December.

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Winner

The Last Temptation of Chris

by Marcus Markou

“I tend to resist short narrative scripts and often find them contrived but after a few moments of resisting I confess this thing SUCKED ME IN. Great performances, great script ideas, great moments, great cuts, and maybe even some great questions about love for us, shooters..”
– Lucy Walker

Shortlisted

Four Thieves and the Not-So Sweet Shop

by Ryan Braund

“Forget DELICATESSEN, the NOT-SO-SWEET SHOP has got the goods! Jawstoppingly good concept -- world's largest gobstopper, YEAH! -- and I'm drooling on the art direction and camera work and lighting. I guess I'm not top prize because (like any good gobstopper) it went on for a tiny bit longer than i wanted it to, and I wasn't quite sure what direction the performances were taking, but i don't want to be not-so-sweet, this is one yummy treat of a short film and I hope everyone gets to suck on it!”
– Lucy Walker

Shortlisted

We Walk Alone - Mariana Magnavita

by Tom Werber

“I love this photography, great concept that uses the technique to create a unique look and feeling... bravo good old-fashioned film craft meets great new technology. Anyone remember that Orbital video for The Box with Tilda Swinton... this reminded me of that, in a nice way...”
– Lucy Walker

Films of the month of: November

Judge

Michael Winterbottom

November's judge is triple Palme d'Or nominee, director Michael Winterbottom.

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Winner

Heads

by Tom Grimshaw

“Very inventive, with an immediate impact. I liked the sense of rhythm and collage created by the stop motion and the sound design.”
– Michael Winterbottom

Shortlisted

Bus Baby

by Jason Wingard

“A funny and unsettling film that makes use of some good visual effects in tackling a social issue.”
– Michael Winterbottom

Shortlisted

The Gathering

by James Cooper

“The idea is simple, but it feels a little laboured in the way it is executed.”
– Michael Winterbottom

Films of the month of: October

Judge

Matthew Barney

American sculptor, filmmaker and performace artist Martthew Barney - of Cremaster film and Destraint drawings fame - is judging October's Film of the Month. Barney is one of ten directors in Revolver's Destricted, a compilation of erotic films intended to illuminate the points where art meets sexuality, released in the US by Revolver early November 2010.

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Winner

Apollo and Daphne

by Carolina Costa

“This film manages to create an intensity, and maintain it. I appreciate the sense of conviction this piece has. I do wish that the images of the heart were more abstract. All of the other images and sequences you have made create an effective balance between the explicit and the abstract. The images of the heart are, for me, much more concrete, and they disturb this balance which you seem to be aiming for. Your use of sound is effective, in creating an interiority, which keeps the narrative in suspension. The lighting experiments are promising, too.”
– Matthew Barney

Shortlisted

Alice in the Clouds

by Catherine Taylor

“Catherine, your piece has an effective soundtrack. The sound design creates a provocative uncertainty between a seductiveness and a repulsiveness, which I believe you are interested in. The pawing at the waistline in the opening scene, and the sound of cellophane tape in the kitchen sequence are particularly effective. The eye contact that Alice makes with the camera complicates things in a nice way, too. I appreciate your use of transitional spaces (passing around corners and through corridors), as an economic way of creating a more psychological sense of space.”
– Matthew Barney

Shortlisted

Hilary Flamingo Rescues Mother From The Palace Ruins (Just In Time)

by Harriet Fleuriot

“Harriet gives a strangely touching and sad performance which so true in spirit to Hogarth's famous prints on depictions on the consequences of alcoholism. The Mother is hopelessly and tragically tied to her relationship to the bottle above all else. Harriet has shown us a snapshot of 'The Gin Epidemic' of 18th century London which gave rise to increase in the birth of weak and sickly children amongst the working class. Sobering thoughts.”
– Matthew Barney

Films of the month of: September

Judge

Stephen Woolley

Producer and Exec Producer of over 40 films including In the Company of Wolves and The Crying Game, Stephen Woolley will be judging the top three Shooters in September.

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Winner

Handicap

by Lewis-Martin Soucy

“Handicap. A concise film, is nicely executed and funny. I respect anyone who tackles comedy and actually gets a laugh. Therefore it had to be my first choice.”
– Stephen Woolley

Shortlisted

Sherry Red Shoes

by Darren Barber

“Sherry Red Shoes bites off a more ambitious mouthful that Handicap. Visually it looks good and it tells the story well, however the overall clarity is benefited by having the synopsis beside it.”
– Stephen Woolley

Shortlisted

Then, Voyager

by Jon Rowe

“Emotionally 'Then, Voyager' didn't resonate with me quite as well as the other films, but I found it very polished and contained. Well done.”
– Stephen Woolley

Films of the month of: August

Judge

Stuart Beattie

August's judge is Stuart Beattie, writer of Collateral, Australia and story writer of Pirates of the Caribbean.

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Winner

Prayers for Peace

by Dustin Grella

“Wow, I think this is riveting film making in so many ways. Visually it strikes you right off the bat. Using such a simple canvas as a chalk board makes the images that much more powerful. A terrific example of "less is more". It's also such a personal story, it hits you hard and never lets go. You can feel the film maker's guilt in every frame. And the choice of using the sound recording at the end it utterly haunting. Extremely well done.”
– Stuart Beattie

Shortlisted

Break-in

by Jon Plant

“I really enjoyed this film. It was immediately intriguing because it set you up for one kind of story, then quickly switched to something else entirely. Obviously, this film is also very well edited, worthy of any big Hollywood blockbuster, using all sorts of frames to tell the story. I did get a little confused at times who was one whose side. Still, this is a thoroughly entertaining film.”
– Stuart Beattie

Shortlisted

Reg's Patch

by Fat Rat Films

“My heart broke for Reg. This is an important, poignant capture of a precious moment in time, one that were it not for this film would have slipped into obscurity with Reg's tragic disappearance. I found Reg to be a natural story-teller and the framing did well to tell the story of his last days on the street as he spoke. This is a very moving portrait of a man who represents a passing generation. Powerful film making indeed.”
– Stuart Beattie

Films of the month of: July

Judge

Cara Mertes

Director of the Documentary Film Program at the Sundance Institute. We are delighted to have Cara as a patron judge for July.

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Winner

Pockets

by James Lees

“Pockets is an astutely conceived and executed film. Visuals and sound are graceful and fluid, fitting the manner and mood of the interviewees and their stories. On the street shooting is its own particular art form, and Lees' smart structure allows for ample emotion to infuse this haiku of a film; a piece that includes the past, present and future, instantly making strangers recognisable.”
– Cara Mertes

Shortlisted

Last Train

by David Schofield

“This film renders mood and character almost completely without dialogue--an achievement of some note. The sketching of story and motivation is closely drawn with a verite style camera and sound complemented by studied use of directing, focal length and the location itself. The editing is sure, and the acting well executed. Everything adds up to a sense of gritty reality.”
– Cara Mertes

Shortlisted

Parental Control

by Damien Cullen

“A funny, enjoyable film, Parental Control moves through the comedy genre with assurance, good timing, well-timed editing, and well modulated acting. It's funny and fun to watch, following form with confidence.”
– Cara Mertes

Films of the month of: June

Judge

Laurent Crouzeix

Film Programmer for Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, Laurent will be our special guest judge for our Edinburgh International Film Festival edition of Film of the Month.

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Winner

Howard

by Julia Pott

“A sensitive, imaginative and well-balanced animation, Howard has my winning vote. It offers a personal approach to the theme of the 'end of love', supported by original visual ideas. We get thrown into the emotional portrait of this apparently unlikely couple. The design and voice-over have a recognizable British feel about them. Both serve a beautiful, simple, yet careful construction of text and image up to the final sentence, in just under four minutes. Makes me want to see more from the author.”
– Laurent Crouzeix

Shortlisted

You Me & Captain Longbridge

by Kenny Doughty

“You Me & Captain Longbridge utilizes energetic camera movements to translate the confused emotions of a schoolboy recently bereft of his father. It skilfully manages to combine scenes that are shot and edited like a war movie with a story that is largely focussed on one central character. The quality of the production is excellent. My only problem was the narrative voice-over and score which somehow added an unnecessary touch of artificiality to this otherwise well-crafted short.”
– Laurent Crouzeix

Shortlisted

Helter Skelter

by Tom Bodell

“Helter Skelter presents itself as a portrait of a filmmaker full of himself. The videocam REC mode point of view references the world of production, creating a feeling of déjà-vu that almost robs the film of its personality at first. However, the second half is marked by a welcome change to the film's point of view which liberates the story and successfully unrolls to its spectacular end.”
– Laurent Crouzeix

Films of the month of: May

Judge

Joana Vicente

May’s judge is Joana Vicente, Producer of top indie flicks such as Coffee and Cigarettes, Welcome to the Dollhouse and The Assassination of Richard Nixon.

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Winner

Scratching

by Matt Brown

“Scratching was imaginative and original. The reality of the situation is connected to the symbolic in an interesting way and the acting was very good.”
– Joana Vicente

Shortlisted

Love Song

by Alice Lowe

“I like the naturalistic acting in Love Song and there's a nice playing with genres, mixing music video with comedy and romance. The dialogue was very good and I really liked the ending - it was sweet.”
– Joana Vicente

Shortlisted

Tea & Sympathy

by Patrick McMahon

“Tea & Sympathy is a dark comedy with an assured rhythm and the personality of each character comes through. Nice work.”
– Joana Vicente

Films of the month of: April

Judge

Adam Smith

Visuals Director of the new Chemical Brothers show, and the creative mind behind music vids for The Streets, Lady Sovereign and Jamie T, Adam will be April’s judge.

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Winner

Archive of Dreams

by Tomas Sheridan

“A touching portrait of a bygone age coming to terms with a modern world which is cleverly reflected in the relationship between the filmmaker and the film’s subject.”
– Adam Smith

Shortlisted

Losers: Flush

by Tom Werber

“Original and inventive take on the London grime video using surreal Victorian photo montage style animation.”
– Adam Smith

Shortlisted

Yowser Yowser Yowser (Reboot)

by Alex Decampi

“Uncomfortable and intense torture by robots. Very visceral.”
– Adam Smith

Films of the month of: March

Judge

Asif Kapadia

Director of ‘The Warrior’ and ‘Far North’, Asif brings his expert eye to judge March’s competition.

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Winner

All the Colours of You

by Paul Synnott

“An atmospheric, unsettling film with a strong cinematic soundtrack. I had no idea what was going on at times but the film created a such a strong and powerful mood that it felt like I was watching an early lost Chronenberg short.”
– Asif Kapadia

Shortlisted

Personal Jesus

by Joe Carter

“Nicely shot and cut - it's funny. I felt it started well, but the ending felt less developed.”
– Asif Kapadia

Shortlisted

The Finger Trap

by Julia McLean

“Lovely animation. Great set. A nice little film.”
– Asif Kapadia

Films of the month of: February

Judge

Katherine Butler

Senior Commissioning Executive for Film4, Katherine will be picking the best upload in February.

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Winner

McCain’s Theory

by Mark Antoine

“A very well realised short film with strong performances and real French style. Lovely to see such an assured piece of work – congratulations Mark!”
– Katherine Butler

Shortlisted

SuperBob

by Jon Drever

“Lovely sweet central performance. I really enjoyed the way in which this gentle little short was both wistful and understated and played nicely with the superhero trope. A fine example of what can be achieved with just a camera and a kitchen table. A very close second.”
– Katherine Butler

Shortlisted

Britain-Isn-t-Working

by Rocky Palladino

“The director has pulled off a real sense of scale very cleverly here – fantastic production values! A nice sense of satire though I thought perhaps the script could have done with some extra bite.”
– Katherine Butler

Films of the month of: January

Judge

Ted Hope

This most indie of US producers (‘21 Grams’, ‘In The Bedroom’, Happiness’) is going to cast his eye on your films in January.

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Winner

Night School

by Ben Soper

“My vote goes to Night School. It utilized a simple situation in a way that kept us always off balance and used all the creative elements to enhance the mood and situation that felt unique to the work. The elements all felt in service to its common vision and very effectively captured both the confusion, pleasure, and energy of youth.”
– Ted Hope

Shortlisted

Xmas eve

by Tova Leigh

“This film is best served by the endearing portrait of it’s homeless man hero. The three types of characters found in the film will be familiar to any regular viewer of short, indie film. ‘Xmas Eve’ has been made in a professional and confident manner but failed to take us to any place new or revealing.”
– Ted Hope

Shortlisted

Ami

by Dominique Bongers

“A charming and attractive animation that makes good use of its black & white imagery. Sweet, but I wished it had left its safe confines more.”
– Ted Hope

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Final Round

Lucy Walker

Michael Winterbottom

Matthew Barney

Stephen Woolley

Stuart Beattie

Cara Mertes

Laurent Crouzeix

Joana Vicente

Adam Smith

Asif Kapadia

Katherine Butler

Ted Hope