THE FESTIVAL | 2024
We were back in person at the lovely Close-Up Cinema in Shoreditch, London!
This year, we screened an incredible selection of short documentaries on the 23rd of March at 6pm.
DATES & TIMES
THE SCREENING
2024
ALFREDO
Director: Jecca Coleman
Set in the heart of the beautiful italian alps in a small town called Bormio, at 80 years old, Alfredo Cantoni has dedicated his life to learning the ways of the mountains whilst skiing down it’s snowy trails and hopes to share his findings with those willing to listen.
A LONDON BOY IN UKRAINE
Director: Oliver Freeston-Wilkes
Last year, myself and my presenter took a week out of University to travel to the frontline of the Ukraine/Russia war. Our aim was to produce a documentary which could act as a bridge between our peer groups (who we felt had very limited understanding of the war) and the Ukrainian people being most affected by the conflict. However, once out there we realised how underprepared and naive we had been. This lack of foresight and innocence leads to a fascinating insight on how war affects the human brain. With the added caveat of an innocent but likeable presenter from Peckham, it gave us a unique perspective of the war.
DRAGONS
Director: Tyrese Shipp
The Bristol Empire Dragons, a Dragon-boat racing community, have to navigate a journey of rebranding and inclusion to survive as a club.
SUNDOWN
Director: Gabriel Alborough
Alzheimer’s Disease has changed Gail’s life in a challenging and surprising number of ways, opening new doors for her creativity, but asking her to confront what life is like when both your past and future are uncertain.
PUFFLING
Director: Jessica Bishopp
Every summer 18-year-old Birta and 16-year-old Selma rescue pufflings (young puffins) at night on a remote island off the coast of Iceland. The pufflings leave their nests for the first time, following the light of the moon to make their journey out to sea and transition into adulthood. Unfortunately, the pufflings get lost in town, mistaking the harbour lights for the moon. Over one night Birta and Selma take it upon themselves to counteract the human impact on nature, exchanging night-time parties for puffin patrol, in a coming-of-age story of young adults and pufflings alike. A documentary about growing up and making choices, worrying about the future and dealing with encroaching environmental pressures. Puffling demonstrates the direct interplay between nature, the environment and human life, exploring the importance of younger generations taking action in global environmental issues.
THE AWARDS
2024
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
*Sundown*
THE WILD ANIMAL AWARD
*Puffling*
THE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
*A London Boy in Ukraine*
THE HERITAGE AWARD
*Dragons*
BEST STUDENT DOCUMENTARY
*Alfredo*
THE AFTERPARTY
Well & Bucket, Shoreditch
