The Winners of Reed’s annual Short Film Competition were proudly announced on Wednesday May 30th at an exclusive awards ceremony hosted at London’s Hospital Club.

We were pleasantly greeted with a Champagne reception which was enjoyed with the intimate gathering of Reed staff, directors, actors and judges. The space was modern and the creative canvases marking each finalists’ film displayed across the walls gave it a personal touch. A few topped up champagne glasses later we were ushered into the screening room to reveal what everyone was waiting for: The 2012 winners.

Just to recap- with over 500 entries from film makers around the UK who each created their piece based on the theme, ‘The Boss’ the following 12 were shortlisted:

‘Boss Boot Camp’ by Paul Cook
‘Disconnected’ by Tom Edkins
‘Gaffer’ by Alex Hinx
‘Going Up’ by Francis Annan
‘Man Up’ by Caroline Giammetta
‘Mourning Rules’ by Daniel Castell
‘Moynihan and The Boss’ by Mat Laroche
‘My First Time’ by Steve Lennon
‘Spider and Fly: Private Eye’ by Oliver Smith
‘The Boss’ by Alex Emslie
‘The Devil’s Apricot’ by Jonathan Brooks
‘The Wireless’ by Mark Fitzsimons

The charismatic Steven Mangam from television series Green Wing delivered a very humorous introductory speech which had us laughing and generated a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Then it was time for the results to be announced.

Chris Harvey @ fresh cut creative media

 The People’s Choice Award (chosen by visitors to Reed.co.uk) was presented by Nicola Reed who described it as “hiliarous” and “unpredictable” duly went to “Going Up” by Francis Annan. “On their way to an interview, Simon and Kevin get trapped in a lift. Personalities clash, tempers fray, but as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait…” This was definitely a personal favorite of mine and is well worth a watch. I spoke to Francis later in the evening about what’s in store for the future and it was revealed that he has just gained rights to a book which is a political thriller about a man who was wrongly imprisoned. We can expect to see this full length film in 2014.

 

Judges’ Commendation Award, presented by Ben Ridolphi and Phil Derren and described as “imaginative” went to “The Devil’s Apricot” by Jonathan Brooks. “In this documentary, Damon, a satantic message producer, is visited by the Head of Treble Six and Lord Darkness, Satan..” Jonathan is hoping to make a horror comedy based on a group that go to record an album in a remote recording studio and accidentally open the gate way to hell. He has written the script and is talks with Lions Gate about making it for it hopefully to be released next year. Another one to look out for!

Credit: Chris Harvey @ fresh cut creative media

The staff of reed.co.uk also selected the winner of this year’s Best Animation Prize with the shortlist comprising of:

‘How to be boss. What Plato says’ by Tim Wilson

‘Park Life’ by Lee Parker

‘The Boss’ by Mohan Subramaniam

“How to be boss. What Plato says” which is “a very quick survey of Plato’s leadership theories” claimed the prize.

With the celebratory tone still on a roll it was time to reveal The Grand Prix Award whose winner would be awarded £10,000 along with a membership to London’s Hospital Club and subscriptions to The Reel and Shooting People. Paul Waleand took to the stage to present and described it as “original with a superb use of special effects” before awarding the prize to…….. “The Boss” by Alex Emslie.“One 9-5er turns to office supplies to exact revenge on her boss.”

credit: Chris Harvey @ fresh cut creative media

 

With the winners announced and congratulations given we all headed back to the bar area for a glass of wine and delicious canapès. Having completed its third year, the reed.co.uk Short Film Competition is the only UK competition which invites entrants to create their films to a specific brief. This question now is, what will next year bring?

Once again, a big Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

To view the shortlist entries head to www.reed.co.uk/film