BIFF | 2020
Online | June 22nd -28th
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It's The British Independent Film Festival's eleventh year and we have an incredible line up!
The Festival aims to promote and support independent filmmaking, providing opportunities for independent filmmakers to have their films screened at great red carpet-style venues to a passionate audience of film professionals, film students, journalists and the general public.
There are a number of awards up for grabs at the Festival, including the prestigious British Lion Award for Achievement in Film on a Low Budget and the "ScriptUp Select" award for Best Screenplay.
This year we went online between the 22nd and 28th of June.
The Official Selection
The Gold List
The Film Festival Guild Gold List is for screenplays of outstanding quality.
These pieces are up for both the title of "ScriptUp Select" as well as four Runners-Up positions which will receive a full review and breakdown of their work.
Feature Films
American Mirror: Intimations of Immortality
(62m)
Director, Writer & Producer: Arthur Balder
Cast: Susan Sarandon, Tigran Tsitoghdzyan, Florence Faivre & Ashley Hinshaw Grace
On our Instagram or Facebook pages, we show only the best part of ourselves, the "beautiful" part of our lives. We hide in this fake. We are so immersed in the process of creating our ideal virtual personality that we forget about real life. We forget the simple truth that beauty is inside.
The film subtilely focuses on a social issue that has global reach: how we perceive and judge ourselves and the others in a world dominated by social media, which demands perfect beauty and instant gratification.
Born to Be | Documentary
(93m)
Director: Tania Cypriano
Producers: Michelle Koo Hayashi, Molly M. Fowler, Rachel Mills, Susan Norget, Heidi Reinberg & J. Wink- lereid
BORN TO BE follows the work of Dr. Jess Ting at the groundbreaking Center for Trans- gender Medicine and Surgery in NYC—where, for the first time, all transgender and non- binary people have access to quality healthcare and surgery.
With extraordinary access, this feature-length documentary takes an intimate look at how one doctor’s work impacts the lives of his patients as well as how his journey from renowned plastic surgeon to pioneering gender-affirming surgeon has led to his own transformation.
BORN TO BE gives voice to those who seek to be their authentic selves and addresses the nuances and complexities of gender, exploring key issues around the human right for self expression and self determination and highlighting the critical need for gender-affirming healthcare.
Through the transitions of Dr. Ting’s patients, we witness the joys and torments that come with this brand-new territory—even as we see the limitations of Dr. Ting’s renowned surgical skills, and his commitment to his new field being tested.
Coup 53 | Documentary
(120m)
Director: Taghi Amirani
Writers: Taghi Amirani & Walter Murch
Producer: Paul Zaentz
While making a documentary about the Anglo-American coup in Iran in 1953, Iranian director Taghi Amirani and editor Walter Murch (Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, The English Patient) discover never seen before archive material hidden for decades. The 16mm footage and documents not only allow the filmmakers to tell the story of the overthrow of the Iranian government in unprecedented detail, but also lead to explosive revelations about dark British secrets buried for 66 years. What begins as a history documentary about 4 days in August 1985 turns into a live investigation, taking the filmmakers into uncharted cinematic waters. COUP 53 is Taghi Amirani's debut feature.
Into The Storm | Documentary
(84m)
Director: Adam Brown
Producer: Dimitri Doganis
A troubled teenager from the barrios of Lima tries to realise his dream of becoming a pro surfer and to raise his family out of poverty. Taken under the wing of a former world champion, he flourishes. But barrio life proves hard to escape and he is caught up in a drive-by shooting. Isolated and lonely, he hears his dad is due to be released from prison. He is torn between a desperate need for his father's love and support, and the bad memories he has from when he was young
Philophobia
(125m)
Director & Writer: Guy Davies
Producers: Guy Davies, Matthew Cook & Toby Cook
Cast: Joshua Glenister, Kim Spearman, Harry Lloyd & James Faulkner
Set in the rolling hills of the English countryside, Philophobia is a picture of small town adolescence. One week of school remains for Kai, an aspiring writer, and his friends while they sit their final exams. How they chose to spend this time will cost one of them their life and leave each of them changed forever.
The Good Death | Documentary
(83m)
Director: Tomas Krupa
Writers: Tomas Krupa & Lukas Hanulak
Producers: Tomas Krupa, Arash T. Riahi & Dagmar Sedlackova
Janette is terminally ill and wants to die in a dignified way but British laws do not allow it. She gets in touch with Dr. Erika in Switzerland, who is willing to help her. Muscular dystrophy, the illness that Janette suffers from, has affected her family for generations. Janette must plan her journey to Switzerland before her rapidly advancing disease makes it impossible. With inner peace Janette organizes her departure while her loved ones go through an emotional storm. Her son Simon has also inherited this illness and, therefore, has much more sympathy regarding her decision than his sister Bridget. The relationship drama escalates as death comes closer. Do we own our life or does it own us?
Vitamin Sea | Documentary
(68m)
Director: James Appleton
Producer & Key Cast: Cal Major
One woman's record breaking stand up paddle boarding journey the entire length of mainland UK. 1000 miles, from Land's End to John O'Groats, documenting the positive ways to tackle plastic pollution, and how crucial our connection to nature is in driving positive environmental change.
Vultures
(113m)
Director: Claudio Borrelli
Writers: Mercedes Gameiro, Claudio Borrelli & Djan Ivson
Producers: Julia Tavares & Claudio Borrelli
Key Cast: Gustavo Garcez & Bella Camero
São Paulo. In the fourth largest city in the world, where street art covers more walls and buildings than anywhere else on earth, Trinchas commands a gang of “pichadores” (graffiti taggers) that climbs very tall buildings only to sign their names up there.
When Trinchas meets Valeria – an art graduate student -, their worlds collide, resulting in the invasion of the 28th São Paulo Biennial. From that moment on, both of them need to deal with the consequences of it.
Write When You Get Work
(99m)
Director & Writer: Stacy Cochran
Producers: Stacy Cochran, Alison Beckett, Karoline Durr, Raife Burchell, Eric Heffron, Adam Gibbs & Jesse Ozeri
Key Cast: Finn Wittrock, Emily Mortimer, Rachel Keller, James Ransone, Scott Cohen & Jessica Hecht
Write When You Get Work is a thorny romantic comedy set in New York City at a private school for girls and in the world outside its exclusive walls.
Short Films
2050
(Lupashko Alexandra, 4m)
The future has come. But some would like to stay in the past.
2 in a Million
(J. A. Moreno, 4m)
We follow two dancers in one long shot, as they relay the feeling of falling in love and being soulmates. Filmed in just thirty minutes at the end of the official shoot, Moreno’s cut focuses on the dancers, seen only as silhouettes in the official version, and highlights their outstanding technical skills and chemistry.
2Pillz
(David Tomaszewski, 3m)
A reality in which my phone can get me anything I want...
Adams
(Tom Stern, 20m)
Based on a short story by Man Booker Prize winning author George Saunders, Adams is a very dark comedy starring Patton Oswalt and Fred Armisen. Oswalt plays Roger, a regular guy who's always been suspicious of Adams (Armisen), his pretentious next door neighbor. One day Roger comes home to find Adams standing in his kitchen in his underwear. The allegorical conflict that ensues explores themes like fear of the other and anti-intellectualism that are very much of the moment in America today.
Adolecence
(Zeb Daemen, 15m)
Set in picturesque 1950s Cornwall, the film reflects the realities of the time. Rigid gender roles, limited self-expression and unspoken truths that prevent people from being who they truly are. James is a budding videographer, he hopes to capture the day, a memory he will hold forever. Like many artists, he may find the strength behind his camera to say who he truly is to the person that matters most.
After The Beep
(Florian Bison, 3m)
After The Beep' chronicles the day to day life of a mother and her young son living in New York City. Bridging between her motorcycle gang and her duties as a parent, she is urged to redefine the image of a single mother when she receives a message from her estranged ex after 2 years of silence.
Already Seen
(Rodrigo Fleury, 4m)
Déjà vu tells the story of Julio, a young man who finds himself in an internal battle immersed in a predictable and monotonous routine.
ANNA
(Dekel Berenson, 15m)
Living in war-torn Eastern Ukraine, Anna is an aging single mother who is desperate for a change. Lured by a radio advertisement, she goes to party with a group of American men who are touring the country, searching for love.
Another Place
(Anna Radchenko &
Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux, 4m)
Another Place is a surrealist music video for English alternative rock band Bastille, featuring Canadian singer, songwriter Alessia Cara. The video sees Bastille frontman Dan Smith as he struggles to keep his home from falling apart. All the while, a giant version of Alessia Cara looks through and taps on the windows sending shockwaves throughout the building. Another Place stands as an evocative representation of a person’s distress caused by a breakup, seeking to keep one's inner sanctuary intact by shutting off painful memories trying to make their way in.
Asphyxiate
(Nicole Pott, 14m)
A young woman tries to gasp for air as she drowns in the memories of a tainted relationship.
Audio of Apologies
(Yuri+Ana, 4m)
Music video of the song "Audio de desculpas/Audio of apologies" of the brazilian singer Manu Gavassi.
Be Good
(James Lawes, 15m)
An eight-year-old girl finds herself in danger when her mother returns home late one night with an untrustworthy stranger that she calls “a friend”.
Captain Beany
(Sophie Perrins, 5m)
Barry Kirk took the most ordinary of household items, a tin of Baked Beans, and created his own extraordinary alternate reality. Captain Beany is the alter ego of Barry Kirk, a 64 year old man who lives in a small town in South Wales. Barry loves superheroes, but as a shy kid growing up on a Port Talbot estate, he always felt that he was searching for an identity.
Clementines
(Laurie Barraclough, 18m)
Clem is returning to her childhood home. After almost seven years away, it is not only the funeral of her once stepfather that is bringing her back, but what she is running away from and who she is returning to; her old step-sister Clémentine. The women haven’t seen each other since they were separated, but what tore them apart as teenagers is now pulling Clem back.
Crash Landing
(Maxwell Harris-Tharp & William Miller, 6m)
Crash Landing is a story that wrestles with the emotions and process we go through when people that mean a lot to us pass away. It follows a girl that has entered the world between death and the afterlife. She is there to find someone she never had the chance to say goodbye to, encountering many other lives and stories along the way.
Daughter
(Christian Kinde, 18m)
Since the death of her mother, Lilah has begrudgingly taken on her mum’s role in the family home. Frustrated by her inherently obstinate father and her brother’s legalistic faith, Lilah makes a plan to run away with Jimmy, the 22 year old guy she has been seeing in secret. Torn between the call of a life without imposed values and the importance of her culture, Lilah makes the choice to flee, putting her family’s forgiveness to the ultimate test.
Forget Me Not
(Nicholas Goulden, 21m)
Lost and invisible to the world, a silent little girl desperately wants to tell her family that everything is ok in time for Christmas. But the only person who can see her is a forlorn homeless man who is as lost and invisible as she is. Armed with only her teddy bear, she must do everything in her power to convince him to help her.
Freeze
(Maya Albanese, 15m)
When Joy’s fairytale romance crashes and burns on the eve of her 35th birthday, the deafening TICK-TOCK of her biological clock pushes her into a series of romantic misadventures and provokes wild hallucinations. Pressures stack up against her, and everybody seems to have an opinion about what she should do with her dwindling egg count. As a last resort, she ends up at Dream Life Lab & Clinic, where an angry mob battles to get inside to see an eccentric egg freezing doctor who offers peace of mind in exchange for top dollar.
His Name was Gerry
(Peter Lee Scott, 12m)
After a young boy's best friend dies he gets convinced into creating a Viking funeral for him by a neighbour.
Innocence
(Ben Reid, 20m)
When a worker falls to his death at a care home, it appears to be a terrible accident. But when a detective questions a young man with Down syndrome spotted at the scene, they uncover a crime more shocking than anyone imagined.
Kid Kapichi - Thugs
(James Green, 3m)
n an exaggerated dystopian vision of middle England, a wealthy family prepare for their annual Fox Hunt... however, this time around the family leader has plans to expand this to hunting human targets too...
Let's Roll
(Chris Thomas, 23m)
A teenager defies her mother by training in secret for the town's dangerous tradition, the Cheese Roll.
Lockdown
(Paul London &
Tracey Moberly, 5m)
The film LOCKDOWN was conceived as a way to embrace the globally enforced home confinement during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Public Health Emergency of 2020. Filmmakers Paul London and Tracey Moberly invited friends and family to contribute to the film project using mobile devices only. Thirty six contributors globally submitted their visions of the safety enforced LOCKDOWN and confinement to the boundaries of their gardens and homes.
Lucky Break
(John Addis, 11m)
Uloaku works the graveyard shift at a remote service station and is bored out of her mind. Fortunately a chance encounter with a suspicious stranger will soon fix that.
My Dad Marie
(Maj Jukic, 15m)
Marie & Charlie navigate their Parent/Child relationship in the early stages of Marie's Transition.
OCD
(Lucas Bosch-Coubris, 5m)
An ordinary morning disturbed by the daily ritual.
On My Own
(Kristian Young, 17m)
Shot on location in East London, this is the story of finding common ground in the darkest of moments. Touching on circumstance, mental health, humanity and with a touch of black humour, On My Own is a poignant and prevalent story of help from a stranger . In a world where we are desperate to stay connected , sometimes a little human contact and a chat is what we need...
Quiet Carriage
(Ben S. Hyland, 5m)
A man must decide whether to intervene and stop a casual commuting rule breaker, or live with a lifetime of regret. A comedy about a passive man with an overactive imagination.
Regulars
(Eli Hart, 6m)
Two regulars meet at their local pub to play a game of chess.
Running After
(Will Peppercorn, 13m)
A young distance running athlete - Jamie - who is told that his current training regime (of 110miles a week) is unsustainable, that the cartilage in his knee’s is almost all gone and that should he continue as he is he will be in a wheelchair within a maximum of 2 years. The film aims to examine the main characters obsession as a means of escapism. To see how notions of isolation, self punishment and body image merge with difficulties at home. As we see a character’s intense and ultimately destructive need to exercise control.
Rush
(Adam Brashaw, 10m)
On a routine stakeout, Danny and his Partner Sean (Chase Armitage) get caught up in a high speed chase which leads to a devastating kill shot. Danny get’s kidnapped and put in the back of van by Ronnie and his goons. With nowhere to escape Danny has no choice but to kill or be killed.
Sadhbh
(Arjun Rose, 13m)
Writer and actress Laura Whitmore tells the story of young mother Claire, who struggles to keep her life together while attempting to present a mask of strength against the judgement of the outside world. But she hides a heartbreaking secret, and sometimes accepting the truth is not an option.
Saudade
(Dan Boaden, 11m)
Saudade (a Portuguese word that describes the longing for someone loved, now lost, with a knowledge they might never return) is a short film about the words we sometimes lack (in English) to describe how we’re really feeling.
Story About Viruses
(Leon Karwowski, Roch Karwowski, Mia Karwowska & Tymon Karwowski, 1m)
Viruses attacked the Earth. Only the pirates wanted to protect the Earth. The viruses would not surrender. Eventually, brave pirates won the war. Who are the pirates?
Sweet Street
(Coz Greenop, 15m)
Sweet Street follows the life of Isabella, a sex worker in the north of England. We explore the mind and day to day life of a woman working in the "managed zone" and how working on the Sweet Street there is no real happy ending.
The Dark Night of the Soul
(Marnik Loysen, 4m)
In a dystopian world, in which speech and feelings are heavily oppressed by a totalitarian state, a passenger must escape a train going nowhere to deliver a letter to his beloved. This Orwellian-inspired stop motion animated music video consists of striking colours, designs and imagery.
The Feathers
(Joe Bor, 3m)
Two friends get together for a coffee. Mike tells his friend he's been feeling down and his friend convinces him that it's not all that bad.
The Gentle Art of Violence
(Andrew Przybytkowski, 5m)
In the intimacy of a confessional, a priest is unusually coerced into confessing to a mysterious woman, their true nature will be revealed as the situation spirals out of control.
The Hug Deal
(Charlie Dennis, 3m)
A man in need of a pick-me-up approaches two dealers who deliver a slightly unexpected fix...
The Lost Scot
(Julien Cornwall, 15m)
After a clay shoot goes wrong, a miserable cynic, an alcoholic and an accountant find themselves lost in the Scottish Moorlands with the body of a gamekeeper.
This Time Away
(Magali Barbe, 14m)
Nigel is an elderly man living as a recluse, haunted by his past and memory of the family he once had... until an unexpected visitor arrives and disrupts his lonely routine.
Too Young
(Colin Babcock &
Amanda Smith, 5m)
A music video telling a powerful message of hope for those feeling trapped in any capacity. Shot entirely on an iPhone XR.
Winter Coat
(Werner Vivier, 11m)
While out on a day of errands, an act of petty crime provides a glimpse into the unique bond between Nathalie and Wayne, revealing the subtle intricacies of motherhood and family bonds.
Yield
(Joel Stockman, 3m)
Commuting home on a Friday evening work-weary archaeologist Anna faces a head-on collision, and something in Anna has snapped.
The Nominations
2020
Best Feature Film
Write When You Get Work
*VULTURES*
Vitamin Sea
The Good Death
Best Short Film
Lockdown
Too Young
Captain Beany
2Pillz
The Dark Night of the Soul
2 in a Million
Bastille, Alessia Cara - Another Place
Running After
Saudade
The Lost Scot
"OCD"
ANNA
Forget Me Not
Sweet Street
*Clementines*
Asphyxiate
Be Good
Let's Roll
My Dad Marie
His Name Was Gerry
The Hug Deal
Winter Coat
Sadhbh
Rush
INNOCENCE
The Feathers
On My Own
Daughter
Regulars
Lucky Break
Quiet Carriage
Adams
FREEZE
The Gentle Art of Violence
ADOLESCENCE
AFTER THE BEEP
Yield
Best Student Film
Running After
Saudade
*The Lost Scot*
"OCD"
Best Music Video
*2Pillz*
The Dark Night of the Soul
2 in a Million
Bastille, Alessia Cara - Another Place
Best Director
Stacy Cochran (Write When You Get Work)
*Peter Lee Scott (His Name was Gerry)*
Dekel Berenson (ANNA)
Ben Reid (INNOCENCE)
Claudio Borelli (Vultures)
Best Actor
*James Corrigan (The Lost Scot)*
Gustavo Garcez (Vultures)
Tommy Jessop (Innocence)
Luca Matteo Zizzari (Be Good)
Best Actress
Ariadna Cabrol (Sweet Street)
Rachel Keller (Write When You Get Work)
Amita Suman (Daughter)
Isabella Speaight (Clementines)
*Jessye Romeo (Lucky Break)*
Best Supporting Actor
Mark Anwar (Daughter)
Andrew Schulz (Write When You Get Work)
*Laurence Spellman (Innocence)*
Chris Kaye (The Lost Scot)
Best Supporting Actress
*Bella Camero (Vultures)*
Florence Roberts (The Lost Scot)
Molly Murphy (Clementines)
Daisy Lewis (Be Good)
Kiera Thompson (His Name Was Gerry)
British Lion Award
(best achievement on a low budget)
*Rush*
Clementines
Regulars
Running After
Rising Star Award
Julien Cornwall (Director - The Lost Scot)
*Eli Hart (Director - Regulars)*
Sophie Perrins (Director - Captain Beany)
Laurie Barraclough (Director - Clementines)
The Milsome Award for Cinematography
Ted Abel (VULTURES)
Anna McDonald (Daughter)
*Frank Madone (Lucky Break)*
Rik Zang (ADOLESCENCE)
Lorena Pagès (Winter Coat)
Legend of Cinema Award
*Emily Mortimer (Write When You Get Work)*
ScriptUp Select
(best unproduced screenplay)
*Wax Puppy (written by Kyle Baugher)*
Best Screenplay Runners-Up
A KIND OF MARRIAGE (written by Charles Leipart)
Follow Up (written by Chris Watt)
SUCCESSION (written by Douglas Schofield)
Zombie Fish! (written by James Treloar)
.