2011 Official Selection

 

Click here to see the programming schedule

 

FEATURE FILMS

Locked Out (60m)
dir. by Joan Sekler
Documentary: Locked Out is a David vs. Goliath story revealing how 560 unionized miners in the desert town of Boron, California faced off against their employer, Rio Tinto, a giant British-Australian multinational mining corporation, and won their rights to decent wages and benefits after being locked out of their jobs for 107 days and replaced by scabs. This is an inspiring story about a struggle of unionized middle class workers standing up to corporate greed and also reveals the egregious practices of Rio Tinto in other parts of the world.

Mila's Journey (70m)
dir. by Annie Perkins
Documentary: What do you do when the man you loved lies dying of cancer and hands you a suitcase containing reels of undeveloped 8mm film? It turns out to be the footage of an amazing trek made in 1976, high up in the Himalayas, that turned out to be a life-changing journey with irrevocable consequences. Mila's Journey follows Mila & her decision to return to India after more than 30 years. The film juxtaposes modern images with the old 8mm footage & pays homage to romance, adventure, spirituality, freedom and female independence. The film shows one Dutch woman's attempt to answer the question 'what would happen if I went back?'

The Witches of Gambaga (55m)
dir. by Yaba Badoe
Documentary: The film follows a community of women condemned to live as witches in Northern Ghana. Made over the course of 5 years, this disturbing expose is the product of a collaboration between members of the 100 strong community of 'witches', local women's movement activists and feminist researchers, united by their interest in ending abusive practices and improving women's lives in Africa. Painful experience and insight combine to generate a uniquely intimate record of the lives of women ostracized from their communities.

Treacle Jr. (85m)
dir. by Jamie Thraves
One day, forty year old Tom abruptly walks out on his family and his seemingly happy life to find himself living on the streets of London. After being set upon by thugs he encounters Aidan, the happiest, fastest-talking individual you are ever likely to meet. Too polite, or too weak to ask him to leave him alone, Tom tries to escape from this child-like man with little joy. Reluctantly Tom becomes involved in Aidan's life and quickly realises he has problems too. Aidan's 'girlfriend' Linda verbally and physically abuses him on a regular basis. Will Tom overcome his own problems in order to help his new 'friend', will he ever make it home and why did he leave in the first place?

 

Gesmoord (Smothered). (81m)
dir. by Mieke Daneels
A traumatized young mother and her three children drive away without any real destination. The car is filled with both necessities and absurd rarities. She creates a new world for her and her children. A surreal world, where the youngest son can wear pretty dresses without giving it a second thought, eat waffles as dinner, brush teeth in the pool, swim with clothes on, see dinosaurs everywhere, ... Far away from all her demons she hopes to find tranquility. The whole trip though is overshadowed by her suffering. Guilt, loneliness

New Jersey Nightmares (88m)
dir. by Paula Williams
Sam’s friends are dying all around him and the police are certain that he’s involved. A chance meeting with his ex-girlfriend Lucy launches Sam on an odyssey to find the real killer before he becomes framed for the crimes, or the next victim.

Jack Falls (105m)
dir. by Paul Tanter & Alexander Williams
Former undercover police officer Jack Adleth returns to London seeking those who tried to have him killed in Amsterdam.

The Scandalous Four (105m)
dir. by Christianne van Wijk
Lord and Lady Williams are in search of a suitable husband for their daughter Penelope, but she is deeply in love with her piano teacher Mr. Reynolds. A man of lower status. When the wealthy Jonathan Alexander makes his acte-de-presence a marriage is instantly arranged. Penelope and Jonathan have nothing in common and spend their days in utter boredom in their large stately home. One ordinary morning, Penelope makes a life changing discovery which could provide her with a ticket to freedom.

 

LEILA (85m)
dir. by Lesley Manning

Love can drive you crazy. To the outside world Paul and Leila have a 'happy' family. A nice house, two nice kids, and most importantly they have each other. That's the problem. Both are in love - one is insane. Paul thinks he's losing his mind - but he has more to lose than that. One couple; one love; one tragedy.

Rebels Without a Clue (80m)
dir. by Ian Vernon
All Damian and Mark have to do is; buy a spade to bury the drug dealer's body (stashed in the trunk), appease Damian's mouthy girlfriend, lose their virginity, get off the moors and head South. Easier said than done when the killer's in pursuit and you're...Rebels Without A Clue.

Being Sold (78m)
dir. by Phil Hawkins
Meet John Foster: Loyal husband, devoted father, loving son... and Being Sold. It seemed like a good idea at the time, three months into his redundancy, following a blazing row with his wife and in the midst of a particularly long drinking session, John Foster lists himself for sale on an online auction site. Flattery, coercion and a strange individual called Chris, his best friend, gives news reporter Maia Long unrivaled access to the biggest story of her fledgling career. This is an opportunity she can't miss and she will do anything to ensure that she doesn't.

The Honey Killer (84m)
dir. by Richard Harrison
The Honey Killer is about 48 hours in the life of London, Hedge Fund Manager, Darryl Maddock who suddenly finds out his beautiful fiance is a serial gold-digger, with a penchant for violence.

SSDD: Same Shit Different Day (88m)
dir. by Greg Hall
The film follows Lee, recently released from prison, and Phil a squatter and former rioter, who both work night shift together.

Inspector Drake - The Movie (150m)
dir. by David Tristram
When a severed head is found in the grounds of Duffield Manor, it looks like a straightforward case of someone dying illegally. But in Inspector Drake's surreal world, nothing is ever as it seems. Our hero, ably hampered by Sergeant Plod, soon finds himself investigating the sinister consequences of an ancient and terrifying curse. Could the spirit of a Nakumban warrior really be behind the ritualistic sacrifice?

Harold's Going Stiff (75m)
dir. by Keith Wright
Harold Gimble has become the first man to suffer from a new neurological disease that is slowly turning him into a zombie-like state. Harold's hermit-like existence is shaken up when a vivacious nurse, Penny, is sent to help alleviate his stiffness. They become good friends. Before long a small group of bloody thirsty vigilante-styled men are pursuing Harold and Penny across dramatic moorlands in the hope of a kill.

The Drummond Will (81m)
dir. by Alan Butterworth
A black comedy set in decaying rural England, a collision between old and new. A . It follows estranged brothers Marcus and Danny Drummond as they find themselves on a surprisingly dangerous undertaking to unravel the mystery surrounding their father's unlikely wealth.

Frontman (105m)
dir. by Ben Hyland
When the former frontman of 'Stanley and the Knives' suddenly dies his old friends and band mates are forced back together after twenty-five years apart. Cracks soon start to appear in their relationships and it becomes clear why they split up in the first place. Frontman is a musical journey of five strangers, becoming friends for the second time.

Stealing Elvis (96m)
dir. by Ed Edwards
Frank and Danny pull an ingenious robbery. On a night out to celebrate, they hook up with Kristina and Alice. The girls discover the stolen money and plot to steal it for themselves...

Zomblies (50m, United Kingdom)
dir. by David M. Reynolds
When a private militia's rookie zombie hunters send out a distress call, it's up to the Rangers to cross The Wall and bring them back as well as uncover the truth about a terrifying new breed of zombie.

SHORT FILMS

Connect (5m)
dir. by Samuel Abrahams

Partygirl (11m)
dir. by Tricia Stewart & James Gutierrez

UNEARTHED (22m)
dir. by Lindsay Harris & Stuart Leach

I Luv Matt Johnson (14m)
dir. by Jon Garbett

Sid's Story (6m)
dir. by Paul Tanter

The Birthday Circle (5m)
dir. by Philip Lepherd

My Mom Smokes Weed (18m)
dir. by Clay Liford

Mary and Dan (5m)
dir. by Will Tribble

40 Years (13m)
dir. by Russell Appleford

 

The Struggle Moseys On
dir. by Kay Stoneham
 

The American Way (15m)
dir. by Richard Theroux

My Mom Smokes Weed (18m)
dir. by Clay Liford

Dawn (5m)
dir. by Adam Samuel

Slashimi (13m)
dir. by Anthony Powell

Vacant Possession (11m)
dir. by Rob MacGillivray

Worm (11m)
dir. by Ryan Vernava

Endless (8m)
dir. by Matt Bloom

Stepping into the Stream (30m)
dir. by Barbara Klutinis

Dijireedub (4m)
dir. by Jonah Sugden &  Jill Mckeagney

Consequences of the Kill (6m)
dir. by Oliver Goodrum

Charlie Darwin - The Low Anthem (5m)

Cat Online, A (4m)
dir. by David Buchanan

This is Not a Plate (1m)
dir. by Alessia Travaglini

Winter Poem (7m)
dir. by Rok Predin

Possession (13m)
dir. by Kameron Webb

Deep Sleep (16m)
dir. by Alejandro Alvarez

Winter in the Garden (15m)
dir. by Jo Smyth

The Terms (12m)
dir. by Jason LaMotte

Desire (18m)
dir. by Drew Pautz

Thinking Straight (previously known as Girl Talk) (9m)
dir. by Ric Forster

3 Hours (14m)
dir. by Regan Hall

Alice (17m)
dir. by Marianne Elliot

Small Protests (10m)
dir. by Zillah Bowes

Guo's Childhood (18m)
dir. by Pankaja Brooke

The Last Emperor (20m)
dir. by Guy Bolongaro

Bon Appitit (4m)
dir. by Kate Shenton

Next (5m)
dir. by Joshan Esfandiari Martin

Natural (7m)
dir. by Resul Keech

Love At First Sight (13m)
dir. by Michael Davies

Scent (16m)
dir. by Darren Bolton

Still Waters Run Deep (13m)
dir. by Michael St.John Savva

Winter Sun (10m)
dir. by Paul Jibson

Now Retired (14m)
dir. by Doug Rollins

Flood Light (13m)
dir. by Constantine Gras

Sometimes The Moon Is Velvet (16m)
dir. by Tom Phillips

Talk (9m)
dir. by Callie Lane

Grow Up (15m)
dir. by Ivan Madeira

Feet (9m)
dir. by A D Cooper

Ante (19m)
dir. by Chris Cronin

Apartment Eleven (22m)
dir. by Mark Player

Tricil - The Emancipation (4m)
dir. by Franck Trebillac