Saturday 25 February 2017 – 16:15
84 mins
Certificate: DFF 15
Venue: Dorking Halls
The Dorking Film Festival asked filmmakers in Surrey, the South-East and the rest of the UK to send us their short films. Here are ten of the best by student filmmakers in higher education. Crash down to the barren surface of unexplored planet Kepler 186, discover how far a college deadline can be pushed and delight in a retelling of Medea Downton Abbey style! A prize will be awarded to the best film in this group at the first prize-giving session at 19:30.
Student Short Films programme
Charlie
Director: Nicole Pott, UK 2016, 19 mins.
A young woman looking for her dog gets lost and shelters at the caravan of a taciturn farm labourer for the night. The pair strike up a halting conversation sparking discovery, new feelings and new friendships sparks in this emotional drama.
Element 186
Director: Bradley Page, UK 2016, 12 mins.
An astronaut plummets down a gravity well to unexplored planet Kepler 186. Aided only by her artificial intelligence helper Christopher she must try to survive on a barren world. Bradley Page’s science fiction film portrays a desperate mission on an alien world.
Extenuating Circumstances
Director: Josh Knight, UK 2015, 4 mins.
A college assignment is due and Philip’s report is late. He’s been sleepwalking again but where is he? Nescott College’s Josh Knight makes the grade.
Hoarse
Director: David V. Glass, UK 2016, 16 mins.
Years after losing his father, teenager Aaron struggles to find himself as he fails to connect with his mother. A professional cast including Juliet Cowan, Alex McSweeney and Brett Allen round off this understated drama about families and secrets they tell.
Latchkey Kids
Director: Hannah Lake, UK 2016, 10 mins.
A pre-teen is looked after by her bored older teenage sister after school whilst her mum is working. Hannah Lake brings social realism to her short film in the same vein as some of Andrea Arnold early works. Set in a council estate in Southampton it raises many troubling issues about modern society.
Medea
Director: Chris Bailey, UK 2016, 9 mins.
Chris Bailey returns to the Dorking Film Festival with a retelling Euripides’ tragedy of Medea. In this version Medea drops her children off at her former lover’s English country house in a Peugeot. Swirling with emotion Bailey dares to shoot his short in the original Greek as if to prove that some dramas are eternal.
Sanctuary
Director: George Martyn, UK 2015, 14 mins.
When Jack, the last man on earth, finds himself drawn to a seaside town, an enigmatic radio message sets him on the path to enlightenment. Impressive special effects in the style of Monsters from a Nescott College student.
Image from Latchkey Kids
