IFFW | 2011
Riverfront Cinema, Newport | Saturday, November 12th
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The Newport International Film Festival is five years old and getting bigger each year! We're thriving on creating quality screenings for Independent films and this year is no exception! We've got some real gems for you!
This year we have films showing from around the globe, including some great new ones from upcoming Welsh talent!
There are a number of awards up for grabs at the Festival, including the prestigious Welsh Dragon Award for Achievement in Welsh Film on a Low Budget.
The festival prides itself on showing works that might not otherwise get seen, we're fiercely independent and helping to create more screenings each year!
The Official Selection
Screening 1
Mary and Bill
(40m)
Director: Andrew Napier
Writers: Andrew Napier
Producer: Andrew Napier
Cast: Mary Stroebe, Bill Wambach & Hunter Kemper
A documentary following two elderly athletes, Mary Stroebe, a 90-year-old triathlete, and Bill Wambach, an 83-year-old high jumper. Mary has just broken her leg while down hill skiing and Bill, who smoked for 45 years, is recovering from a heart attack. Despite doctors’ orders, both decide to train and compete in their respective events.
In Sunshine or in Shadow
(60m)
Director: Andrew Gallimore
Producer: Morgan Bushe
Cast: Phil Coulter, Barney Eastwood & Herb Goldman
The true story behind the epic world featherweight title match that took place between Barry McGuigan and Eusebio Pedroza; laced with sectarian violence and old scores, this now legendary fight gripped an entire nation on one hot summer's night in 1985..
Screening 2
The Quizmaster
(Sam Haire, 10m)
Bill is the Quizmaster. His hosting style has more in common with Hans Gruber than Bob Holness. No team has ever scored more than 38%, until one evening when he is pushed to the brink by a mysterious stranger, who seems to know all the answers, leading to a surreal battle of wills between the two men.
Letter to Julia
(David G. Rudiez, 10m)
A retired woman writes to her dear Julia, detailing her new life in the countryside and how she suspects her husband to not be taking it as well as she hoped due to a mysterious encounter with extraterrestrials.
The Black Hills
(Richard Pask, 10m)
A powerful western, with a supernatural twist.
Queensbury Rules
(William Scothern, 11m)
A young amateur boxer struggles to keep focus before an upcoming bout. Through a small number of flashbacks we begin to see what has led him to be so distracted.
The Anchor
(Luke Daniels, 15m)
Throughout fifteen years of drinking in his local pub, The Anchor, factory worker Nigel is happier helping others than himself. Gradually losing his ambition and passion for life, Nigel descends into denial and regret.
Sudden Death!
(Adam Hall, 20m)
Los Angeles has been overtaken by a virus known as Sudden Death Syndrome, a disease that causes its victim to die suddenly and has only one symptom... spontaneously breaking into well-choreographed song and dance.
The Gin Lady
(Simon Cook, 10m)
The Gin Lady provides a unique service for her clients; she smells their aroma and tells them exactly what they ate for their breakfast, lunch or tea. But when a young man calls, she smells something that's about to change both of their lives forever.
Everythought
(Asif Bux, 7m)
A boy who is mistaken as a 'bad boy' a 'rude boy' he explains that you should never let anyone say no and always try regardless of what they think or say. He can't read music but enters a room dressed from his 'rude boy' image into a smart attire and plays on a piano from his heart, showing his emotion and expression through his thoughts.
Hunger
(Daniel Chisholm, 3m)
A 3-minute animated music video for the song 'Hunger' by the band Nathalie Jane. For the video, digital stills images of the band were animated to tell the story of Nathalie and her friends, using flash-backs and the latest in animation techniques.
Taken Away (The Particles)
(Fred Khoshtinat, 4m)
You do not need to go to the movies to experience massive special effects that would make Michael Bay jealous. You do not need to go to Metropolitan Museum of Art to hear the instruments dating back thousands of years and you do not need to visit Brooklyn to hear the most unique collaborations, these things can all be found here.
The Rise of the Appliances
(Rob Sprackling, 10m)
In rural Wales, a man awakes to find his home appliances have risen against him and his family and he must fight to survive!
Screening 3
Mother's Milk
(95m)
Director: Gerald Fox
Writer: Gerald Fox
Producer: Gerald Fox
Cast: Adrian Dunbar & Jack Davenport
A coruscating drama, based on an award winning novel, which explores the troubled relationships between the various members of an English family over a long summer when Eleanor, the stroke-afflicted old mother decides to give away her beautiful house in Provence to a New Age Foundation run by an Irish charlatan rather than to her own son and his young family.
Screening 4
Down The Dark Road
(95m)
Directors: Craig T. James & Jared Morgan
Writer: Jared Morgan
Producers: Craig T. James & Jared Morgan
Cast: Jared Morgan, Kingsley Pilgrim & Earl Ling
This is the story of a young black man's search for the truth behind his parent’s disappearance when he was a baby. He has recently learned of their possible fate and must journey through extremely hostile terrain in the quest for the truth.
Screening 5
Stag Night of the Dead
(81m)
Director: Napoleon Jones
Writer: Napoleon Jones
Producer: Napoleon Jones
Cast: Sebastian Street, Sophie Anderson & Joe Rainbow
If the mysterious plague sweeping the nation wasn't bad enough, Dean is still going ahead with his doomed wedding tomorrow morning. That leaves him with a choice. Pick up the button holes and chocolate fountain as instructed by bridezilla Elaine, or go with five mates (and a stripper) to play 'Zomball' at a top secret military compound where you can shoot zombies with stun guns.
The Awards
Category Judging
Best Feature
Stag Night of the Dead (Dir. by Tor Mian)
Best Actor
Sebastian Street (Stag Night of the Dead)
Best Actress
Marian Kemmer (The Gin Lady)
Audience Award Winners
The Gin Lady (Best Short Film)
Everythought (Best Student Film)
Dave Selle for Sudden Death (Best Director)
Welsh Dragon Award
Down The Dark Road (Dir. by Anthony Sutcliffe)
Best New Screenplay
Should Have Gone Bowling (Written by
Glen Fulthorpe)
.