A short film created by Dorset filmmakers is one of only 47 screening at this year’s BFI London Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious film events. The festival usually selects over 150 shorts to be screened, so it’s a huge achievement for the region and its talent.
It’s also the first time the festival has gone partially online, and that the award for Best Short Film is entirely in the audience’s hands.
Produced by Arts University Bournemouth graduate Ashleigh Powell and Swanage-born Simeon Costello, ‘Shuttlecock’ is a sports film like you’ve never seen before. The 13-minute comedy centres on macho man Carl, who is forced to confront his idea of masculinity when an obsession with a mysterious new member of his badminton club spirals out of control.
It’s great to see Dorset and the south-west represented at the festival. When making films outside of London the film-industry can feel a million miles away. Watching and voting for ‘Shuttlecock’ is a great way to support local talent and regional arts organisations like Exeter Phoenix – which is important now more than ever.
Simeon Costello
The film uses a whole host of talent from across Dorset, including fellow Arts University Bournemouth graduate Charis Cherry as Costume Designer, Uplyme-based Cinematographer Boris Hallvig, Bournemouth-born Musician Freddy Mercer, and Morcombelake-based Sound Recordist Stan White. The film was commissioned by south-west arts venue Exeter Phoenix, and is the first of their film commissions to be screened at the event.
It’s a real privilege for Exeter Phoenix to be able to support regional filmmaking talent and seeing the success of ‘Shuttlecock’ on the festival circuit has been very exciting for everyone involved.
Luke Hagan, Exeter Phoenix Digital Coordinator
Watch Shuttlecock online on the BFI website.
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