Film / News
National Playback tour showcases young local artist filmmakers
Running at the Arnolfini for 10 days from Friday August 18, the nationally touring Playback exhibition comprises 200 short films by emerging young artist filmmakers. These award-winning shorts were created by 16-24 year olds, many with no previous experience in the industry, following a nationwide open call. As if to underline the massive reserves of talent in our region, some 43 of the filmmakers are from the Bristol area.
Bristolians exhibiting in Playback who have already gone on to celebrate further achievements include Issy Snailman, who received the Best Emerging Talent Award (16-19) at BFI Future Film Festival, remarkably for her first ever film; Marnik Loyson, director of Invasion of the Giant Radioactive Snail, who is now working for Aardman studios; and Bristol University 2016 graduate Eno Mfon, who has recently been commissioned to write a full-length play for Theatre West, in partnership with Bristol Old Vic.
Expect everything from narrative films about drag queens, super-heroes, job centres and zombies to animated stories that feature talking goldfish. Hand-drawn animations tell the story of Syrian refugees rescued by Greek fishermen, while poetry and spoken word features in films about feminism, age, identity, the prison system and the shipyards of the North East. The exhibition, which is open from 11am-6pm daily, is made up of individual touchscreens, giving you the opportunity to choose the films you want to see.
is needed now More than ever
There’s also good news if you’re 16-24 years old, living or studying in the South West, and are suitably inspired by Playback to make your own film. You have until 20 October 2017 to apply to be part of the project working with Calling the Shots, offering a chance to become one of 72 young people whose ideas will go into production over the next three years.
All successful applicants will be partnered with an industry mentor who will guide them through the filmmaking process and provide the equipment, training and crew that they need to create a broadcast-quality short film. No experience needed – just a great idea. Go here for more on how to apply.
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