Opening Night
NFT1 Thu 5 Mar 8.10pm
With Golden Globe winning actress Sally Hawkins launching festivities, we present the hottest new filmmaking talent with a selection of mindblowing shorts from around the globe, including Chinese thriller August 15th and artist Sam Taylor Wood's brilliant Love You More, plus a taste of the Vampish delights to come accompanied by the Elysian Quartet.
For venues and booking info click here
Sally Hawkins
Sally Hawkins is known mainly for her performance as Poppy in Happy-Go-Lucky (2008), a role for which she has won several international awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. Other significant roles include Susan in Vera Drake (2004), Sue Trinder in the BBC's Fingersmith (2005), and Anne in Persuasion (2007).
August 15th
Dir Jiang Xuan, USA / China, 2008, 22min
A devastating, award-winning modern morality tale about the fate of a hijacked bus on China’s dangerous mountain passes and the terrifying responsibility of choice.
Good Morning, My Sun!
Dir Uljana Konovalova, Kyrgyzstan 2008, 15min
A touching portrait from the Kyrgyz countryside of an elderly, blind woman brimming with radiant energy, joie de vivre and inspirational insights on life.
Love You More
Dir Sam Taylor-Wood, UK 2008, 15min
Bafta & Cannes-nominated A tender, sumptuous tale of teenagers falling in love over punk music from Turner Prize nominated artist Sam Taylor Wood, a talented young cast and all star UK production team including Anthony Minghella and Oscar-nominated Patrick Marber. www.loveyoumorefilm.com/
Sanctuary
Dir Lovejit Dhaliwal, UK 2008, 3min 30
Hard-hitting animated documentary about a woman who undergoes unspeakable tortures in her home country, only to find the official structures in her adoptive UK home less than sympathetic to her plight.
Trip
Dir Harry Wootliff, UK 2008, 15min
A heart-breaking tale of separation in which an estranged father is desperate to play happy families with his two young daughters – whatever the cost.
The Elysian Quartet
Musical Accompaniment to clip of vamp film Asphalt
The Elysian Quartet is one of the UK’s most innovative young ensembles. Notable for the breadth of their musical interests, the Elysians have worked with artists as diverse as virtuoso beat-boxer Killa Kela, jazz pianist Keith Tippett, and experimental electronic composer Simon Fisher-Turner.
