NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) celebrates Britweek with independent cinema on April 28th with a selection of films from the United Kingdom, along with local Los Angeles films. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT
NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) celebrates Britweek with independent cinema on April 28th with a selection of films from the United Kingdom, along with local Los Angeles films. Five filmmakers from the United Kingdom, Polly Steele, Blake Harrison, Simon Ryninks and Garry Crystal will be joining NFMLA for the event, with flights generously provided by Norwegian Airlines.
The night begins with UK feature film Let Me Go by Polly Steele, an intergenerational story about the unraveling of a family secret and its emotional impact on three mothers and three daughters.
Second is InFocus: Britweek, a collection of short films from by UK filmmakers that include stories of love, family strife, foreboding and the search for human connection, featuring the world premiere of Blake Harrison’s (The Inbetweeners) directorial debut.
The night concludes with a narrative shorts program highlighting local Los Angeles talent and prominently features themes of finding, losing and letting go.
Feature Film
Let Me Go - Directed by Polly Steele
United Kingdom/Austria
Los Angeles Premiere
Helga was abandoned by her mother in 1941 when she was just four years old. When she receives a letter telling her that her mother is close to death, her granddaughter volunteers to accompany her to Vienna to meet the great-grandmother she thought was dead, and experience the unraveling of the darkest of family secrets. Developed from Helga Schneider's true life story.
About the Director -Polly is an award winning UK based, independent, filmmaker renowned for her ability to tell the most compelling and sensitive stories. Her work includes BAFTA-winning documentary project Video Diaries (BBC). She has made films for all of the UK’s major broadcasters, and produced/developed fiction as MD for Rocket Pictures with Elton John and David Furnish and for her own company In Trust Films. She wrote and directed Let Me Go starring Juliet Stephenson, Johdi May and Lucy Boynton, with Radiohead’s Philip Selway composing.
Shorts Program #1: Infocus: Britweek
The Fox and The Rabbit - Directed by Garry Crystal
United Kingdom
West Coast Premiere
Francis Henry runs his family’s century-old tailors and seems to be doing everything he can to bring about its downfall. In the evening, he visits his unwell father and taunts him with news of the declining business.
About the Director - In addition to being a History and Law graduate, Garry Crystal is a former television actor, having appeared in leading UK dramas such as “Fat Friends”, “Peak Practice” and “Children’s Ward.” This background has provided him with strong critical evaluation skills and an appreciation of story-telling, which he considers as essential tools for film-making. He has edited BAFTA, EMMY, Grierson and RTS winning and nominated documentaries and films, and is now venturing into directing.
Hooves of Clay - Directed by Blake Harrison
United Kingdom
World Premiere
Guy wants Jill. Jill wants Guy. But there's something unspoken. A secret yet to be revealed. What is Guy hiding? And is it something that Jill can accept?
About the Director - As an actor, Blake Harrison starred in three series and two subsequent films of the multi-award winning comedy 'The Inbetweeners' as Neil Sutherland. He also starred in the 2016 remake of Dad's Army where he played Private Pike alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sir Michael Gambon. His other film work includes Keeping Rose, Madness in the Method and Reuniting the Rubins. Harrison's TV work includes three series of US comedy 'The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret' for IFC, 'Prime Suspect:1973' & 'Houdini & Doyle' for ITV. 'Way to Go', 'Him & Her', 'The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff' & 'Trust Me' for BBC. As well as 'Tripped' for E4. Hooves of Clay is his directorial debut.
Real Gods Require Blood - Directed by Moin Hussain
United Kingdom
Manchester, 1990. Alice is roped into babysitting for her hysterical neighbor and encounters two children who claim to be visited each night by a creature that must be fed when the lights go out.
About the Director - Moin Hussain is a London and Norfolk based director with a background in short films and music videos. After being selected by the Directors Guild of Great Britain to take part in a scheme for new talent, Moin’s first short film Holy Thursday was funded by Creative England and went on to screen internationally. His latest short Real Gods Require Blood premiered at Cannes film festival this year during Semaine de la Critique and had its UK bow at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. His film ‘Real Gods Require Blood’ was produced by BAFTA Award Nominated Producer Michelle Stein.
Us - Directed by Will Darbyshire
United Kingdom
North American Premiere
On the journey to the airport, a young couple lock horns over the differing views of their tumultuous relationship, inspiring a conversation about distance, commitment and the uncertain future ahead.
About the Director - Will Darbyshire is a 24-year-old British filmmaker with a following of nearly 700K followers on his YouTube channel, as well as a large audience on his Instagram and Twitter channels. His thought-provoking videos and photos present a unique, personal, worldview. Will has published a book of curated love letters, 'This Modern Love’, to great acclaim worldwide reaching no.1 on the UK Sunday Times Bestseller List.
Contractor 014352 - Directed by Simon Ryninks
United Kingdom
Real and imaginary worlds collide when a lonely data entry clerk reaches through his computer screen, in search of a genuine connection.
About the Director - Simon is a director living and working in London. He has just completed his third short film Contractor 014352, starring Johnny Flynn (Genius, Lovesick, Song One), which had its world premiere at Palm Springs International Shortfest 2017 and has played at 9 festivals internationally, winning several awards. Previously he had been a finalist of the Sundance London Short Film Competition and IMdB New Filmmaker award.
Shorts Program #2
The Shuttle - Directed by Lu Han
USA
Wenhua, a Chinese immigrant living in Los Angeles runs a nail salon, while her husband, Yong drives the shuttle for the manicurists. Wenhua suffers from infertility, as well as Yong’s repeated infidelity. Wenhua becomes suspicious when the shuttle arrives late yet again.
About the Director - Lu Han currently attends the MFA film production program at Loyola Marymount University. Han, a writer and director, was raised in mainland China. She came to the United States seven years ago on scholarship, where, passionate about social studies, she received her bachelor’s degree in anthropology and sociology. Always fascinated with the art of storytelling, Han chose to incorporate her compassion for humanity into her interest in filmmaking. She strives to deconstruct complicated social relationships between religion, class, race, culture, and ideology. Her works explore issues of morality while portraying daily life. Han's short films have screened in the United States, Canada, and China.
Dear Sister - Directed by Jess Harbeck
USA
After learning her estranged, violent father has married into another family, a woman attempts to save his new stepdaughter from the same fate she suffered by any means necessary.
About the Director - Jess graduated from The University of Colorado, where she studied English Literature and competed as a multi-sport athlete. Her passion for great storytelling combined with a versatile athletic background made a move to LA and a career in the stunt business a natural fit. After years of stunt performing she transitioned to stunt coordinating and became captivated by the creative aspect of filmmaking. As a director, Jess brings with her the unique perspective of a member of the stunt department who has helped create action on over 100 + Film and TV shows. She looks forward to the next natural step in her career, using this knowledge to direct action oriented stories centered on strong female characters.
EVOKE - Directed by Asia LeMasters
USA
Despite how pure love can be, relationships don’t always end so perfectly. The evolution of Hailey and Emma's relationship is explored through their collective memories as the girls retrace their times together. After their relationship ends, Hailey goes to a desperate length to be with Emma again.
About the Director - Asia LeMasters graduated with a degree in Film Production Technology from Valencia State College in Orlando and moved to Los Angeles in 2013. She is an experienced script supervisor, but in recent years has focused more on producing and production management. She’s been writing screenplays, fiction, and poetry since she was a teenager, and her short film EVOKE is her directorial debut. Her years of interaction with many different directors has helped her develop her own directing style, and gain the understanding of how to approach different types of actors.
My Treasure - Directed by Michael Flores
El Salvador
A cleaning woman steals a Salvadoran Civil War map and hunts for a treasure in the hopes of reuniting with her son.
About the Director - Michael Flores is a writer/director based in Los Angeles. His most recent work is a series of narrative short films in post-war and soviet nations (Serbia, El Salvador, Belarus). Currently, he is working on a feature length Jungle Western in the volcanic terrain of Central America.
Additional event information is available at www.nfmla.org
Founded in 2007, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. NFMLA’s programs annually serve approximately 25,000 patrons in the Greater Los Angeles area. NFMLA has screened over 2,500 films from 75+ countries, highlighting local and international talent. |
