Solihull Arts Complex

Solihull Council and Culture Solihull are proud to present the very first Short is Beautiful Film Festival, in association with IMA Festival. This exciting new short film festival gives both established and new artists the chance to try out new ideas, concepts, and ways of working. Short is Beautiful is an exciting opportunity to support and develop filmmakers from across Solihull and the West Midlands.

The festival will take place across 16 and 17 October at The Core Theatre Solihull, with a programme of industry panels, workshops, and screenings.

CRITERIA

All submitted films will be judged by our panel of judges and shortlisted ahead of the Film Festival. The shortlisted films will be screened at the festival event on Tuesday 17 October at The Core Theatre Solihull. All shortlisted finalists will receive two complimentary tickets, a selection laurel and certificate.

Winners of each category will be announced at the Festival, as well as an award for the ‘Best Overall Film’. Each category winner will receive a winner’s laurel, certificate, and gift card.

Categories are as listed below:

• Trailers and under 5 minutes
• Between 5 and 10 minutes
• Between 10 and 15 minutes
• Between 15 and 20 minutes
• Best Young Filmmaker (18 and under)

To view the full terms and conditions, please visit Film Freeway.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR FILM

Film submissions must be made via Film Freeway before the deadline of Sunday 17 September 2023. All applicants will be notified by 2nd October 2023 as to whether their film has been successful.

Entries for the best young film maker category maybe made by  wetransfer please email shortisbeautifulfilmfest@gmail.com for more information

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR FILM VIA FILM FREEWAY

ABOUT THE JUDGES

Hayley Pepler

Hayley Pepler is a Screen Director and Producer. She was Head of Content & Digital Broadcast for the UK City of Culture programme in which time she produced and directed over 500 films for TV, film and online platforms. Hayley has produced numerous live streams for the Royal Shakespeare Company for TV and cinema release. Hayley is an Associate Director with Directors UK, a ScreenSkills Associate and an Associate with The Space.

Daniel Alexander

Daniel Alexander is an award-winning director and BAFTA Connect filmmaker based in Birmingham. He currently produces and directs work for platforms and agencies including the BBC, BFI, WARNER BROS, and the official film for the COMMONWEALTH GAMES HANDOVER CEREMONY. Daniel is the creative producer and curator of the region’s leading Black film development programme, BACK IN.

Jez Alsop

Jez Alsop is a Midlands-based film director, known for directing the feature film Fixed (2021) which won Best Feature Film at The Northampton Film Festival 2023, as well as Best Actor in a Leading Role at Midlands Movies Awards 2022, where it was also nominated for Best Feature Film and Best Cinematography. The film was also nominated in the National Film Awards for Best Thriller. Alsop has also directed numerous short films including Close at Hand (2007) and Love in a Lecture Theatre (2004). Jez lectures on the Creative Film, TV & Digital Media Production courses at The University of Northampton.