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Bristol Encounters 0117 Hour Film Challenge

Presented by Bristol Film Office, Encounters Bristol International Film Festival & M Shed. Supported by Bristol City Council

A SHORT RIDE TO SUCCESS

Thursday 30 June: Between 17 – 22 June 2011, filmmakers from Bristol and beyond took part in the Bristol Encounters 0117 Hour Film Challenge, a short filmmaking competition to celebrate the opening of M Shed, the new museum of Bristol.

Filmmakers were challenged to make a 2 minute 30 second short film in 117 hours, inspired by an artefact, theme or story from the galleries of the museum. Bristol Film Office provided a selection of strange and spectacular locations across the city such as Bristol Grammar School, Victorian toilets, a large warehouse, Bristol Ferries and more. The teams were also supported by a number of local organisations in the production process including; Big Bang Post Production, Dreambase Sound Studios, Films @59, Mecure Holland House Hotel, Premier Apartments and Visual Impact.

A total of 50 teams registered by Wednesday 15 June, 37 teams arrived at the launch of M Shed museum, and 30 films were finally handed in by the competition deadline at 10am on Wednesday 22 June. A variety of filmmakers took part, from professionals to students, film enthusiasts and artists, who each responded to the museum through an assortment of styles and genres, from live action drama, to animation, documentary, performance, experimental and even 3D. (Please see the full list of teams and films in the sidebar)

The films were judged by a prestigious jury made up of industry professionals and representatives of the city, including Anna Farthing, Producer of the M Shed Launch; Chris Moll, Executive Producer (I Features, Nowhere Boy, Of Time and the City, The Wrong Trousers) and currently working with South West Screen;; Louis Savy, Director of the Sci-Fi-London Film Festival and Sci-Fi 48hr film challenge and Sarah Cox, Creative Director and CEO of ArthurCox, Bristol based animation production company.

The collection of films premiered on 24 June in the magnificent M Shed event space overlooking the city, at a reception attended by over 200 people.

We are delighted to announce that the winner of the Bristol Encounters 0117 Hour Film Challenge 2011 went to The Village Bicycles team for their film ‘Wheelers Love Story’. Inspired by the old fashioned bicycles in the museum, the film follows the romantic journey of two vintage bikes falling in love as they ride across the city.

Staggered by the quality of all the films the jury had a difficult decision but after much deliberation stated, ‘Wheelers Love Story' was well produced and used a fun and lighted hearted way to animate the inanimate that speaks to and of the city. This film has an opportunity to play on an international stage and take Bristol round the world.’ The jury congratulated everyone who took part in the challenge, and gave a special mention to documentary ‘Alan’s Town’, performance piece ‘Reading the Riot’, experimental film ‘Coca da Potata’ and animation ‘On The Bus’.

The Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor Geoff Gollop presented the winning team with a large cheque for £1,000, an engraved paperweight thanks to Bristol Blue Glass, and a selection of ‘I Heart Bristol’ t-shirts donated by Beast Clothing.

Sofia Ejderos from the winning team The Village Bicycles said, 'It was such a good experience, I think the tight deadline made us focused and creativity thrived. Best of all it was a really fun film to make, chipping around Bristol animating bicycles!'

Encounters Festivals Managing Director, Liz Harkman said, ‘We have been overwhelmed by the response to this challenge and look forward to developing the relationship with M Shed and Bristol Film Office to turn this event into an annual activity forming part of the city’s memory and providing a snap shot of Bristol life each year.’

Bristol Film Office, Film Liaison Officer, Esther Mars said, 'The challenge was a fantastic success and shows the range of films that can be created in a finite time, and Bristol’s variety of locations. Filmmaking is really important for Bristol, so I think it’s excellent that we can support filmmakers and the cities locations in promoting them in this engaging and exciting way.'

Producer of the M Shed Launch, Anna Farthing said, ‘Film captures moments in time, and we are delighted that the 0117 Film Challenge enabled the creation of some wonderful films that will be lodged in the city archives so that people in the future will be able to see not only what Bristol was like in June 2011, but the interests of the filmmaking community and the inspiration provided by the M Shed launch.’

The films will join the museum collections and be available to view by visitors in the future. They will also be screened to the public at 7.30pm, 30th July on BBC Big Screen in Millennium Square Bristol, as part of the Bristol Harbour Festival.

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EDITOR’S NOTES

Bristol Film Office is a free service to all productions planning to film in the city, dedicated to making your film, television or commercial photography shoot run as smoothly as possible when on location in Bristol. Bristol Film Office can assist at all stages of production from initial location and crewing advice to recces and logistical support. For further advice, please contact the office.
For more information: www.filmbristol.co.uk/

Encounters Bristol International Film Festival is the umbrella festival for Animated Encounters and Brief Encounters which together presents one of the world’s best-known showcases and meeting points for new and established international short and animated film talent. The longest running competitive short film and animation festival in the UK, and one of Bristol’s leading cultural events, Encounters seeks to promote the importance of short film as a means to develop and progress the next generation of creative talent. The 2011 festival will be held in Bristol, UK, between 16 – 20 November.

The festival is funded by Bristol City Council and South West Screen. Encounters Festivals Ltd operates as a registered charity and limited company. For more information: www.encounters-festival.org.uk

M Shed is an exciting and innovative new museum for Bristol due to open on Friday 17th June 2011 that tells the story of the city. The 1950s transit shed, originally called M Shed, on Bristol’s historic wharf will be transformed into the new museum. Thought-provoking and fun, M Shed will challenge the perceptions of what it has meant to live here over the centuries through the recollections of the people who shaped the city. For more information: www.mshed.org

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Bristol Film Office
Office: +44 (0) 117 922 3958
Esther mars, Film Liaison Officer: info@filmbristol.co.uk

Encounters Bristol International Film Festival
Festival Office: +44 (0) 117 929 9188
Mireia O’Prey, Festival Coordinator: mireia.oprey@encounters-festival.org.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Encounters-Short-Film-Festival/16162795635
Twitter: twitter.com/encounterSFF

M Shed
Office: +44 (0) 117 922 4749
Claire Royall, Marketing Officer: claire.royall@bristol.gov.uk