Lights, Camera, Action!

With a total of 40 film entries and 21 finalists shortlisted, this year's Film Festival showcased the impressive creativity of our Senior Harrodian filmmakers.

The work of our young filmmakers was celebrated on 22nd March at Harrodian’s eighth annual Film Festival.  Pupils, parents and aspiring directors gathered in the School Theatre for a screening of short films created and produced by Senior and Sixth Form students and prizes were awarded for the best films by a distinguished trio of judges, consisting of Empire Design and Olympic cinema founder, Stephen Burdge, producer, director and former CEO of BAFTA LA, Chantal Rickards, and global set decorator, Claire Nia Richards. (photographed above with our Sixth Form compères for the evening)  

The range of character and genres tackled in the prizewinning films reflected the diversity of the work on show at the festival as a whole. The winner of the Sixth Form category was Charles (L6th), photographed above with the judges, for his film Why the Long Face which was described by Stephen Burdge as 'beautifully shot, well-made and fun,' and by Chantal Rickards as 'making good use of sound and props with carefully crafted editing'. A surreal comedy, his film tells the story of an editor who has to make a film from dubious footage from an overbearing director. To view Charles's film please click on it below:

In the Senior category, Jamie from the 13s was awarded first prize for his witty mockumentory Direct(or) that starred his younger brother, Jack (PP3). It was applauded by the judges for being well written but also shot and directed with great maturity and his younger brother's prodigious acting talent was highlighted too. To view Jamie's film please click on it below:

The runners up were Nic (U6th) with See the Light - a dramatic thriller - and Felix (13s) for Revenge - a retro horror story filmed in the style of old black and white silent movies. Special mentions were also given to Rafferty (14s) and Rita (U6th) for their films The Crush and I Do respectively. 

 

A purple carpet, popcorn, ice cream, and black-tie dressed compères for the evening - Scarlett and Amber (U6th) - all added to the glamour of the event.  Both girls were dressed in beautiful outfits from LeblonLondon - one of the sponsors of the evening, together with Olympic Studios and Wimbledon Brewery. A team of Senior Prefects was out in full force, including our Head Boy and Head Girl, helping out either by taking photos (thank you to Eliza and Harvey in the Lower Sixth for the great photos), serving drinks and snacks, selling special Film Festival t-shirts they had made or ushering guests to their seats.

The judges for the evening were particularly impressed with the high quality of the films shown and one member of the judging panel, Chantal Rickards, was quick to articulate this when she says,' clearly good story-telling plays a very important part in the lives of Harrodian students...I particularly liked the films with a sense of humour and of the absurd, and the more personal stories that challenged my thinking.' She also went on to add, 'the filmmaking of young people tells you so much about what concerns them and what entertains them, and these films truly show that Harrodian students are capable, curious, clever and cognisant of the world around them.'

Harrodian Head of Media Studies, Mr Cullis, was also delighted with the event:  ‘This year we had to shortlist from 40 films so the quality was fantastic,’ he said. ‘The festival has become a really valuable way to introduce students into film, improving their imagination and creativity as well as their practical film production skills.’

Sixth Form winner Charles, who joined Harrodian in the 13s, has only been able to attend one other Film Festival due to the pandemic, and that was last year's. He remembers that the event left him feeling determined and inspired to take part in the next one. To win the Sixth Form category this year is a dream come true and he was so glad that the judges were able to appreciate the technical detail of his film. 'My film was more about the technique than the storytelling and I even built a special lens for the close-up, macro shots,' he says. Talking about why the Film Festival is such an important event in the Harrodian calendar, Charles is adamant about what a great opportunity it is. 'For those of us who are interested in pursuing film as a career, the opportunity to take part in this Festival is a big deal. If we want to study related courses at university, then it also looks great on our UCAS form too!,' he explains. Taking the time to credit his competition, he focuses in particular on Jamie (14s) the winner of the Senior category. 'Jamie's film was incredible....but I'm coming for him. I am determined to try and win again!' he adds with a large smile on his face. 

Meanwhile Senior winner Jamie, who had great fun making his film, feels that the Film Festival is invaluable for those students, like him, who are interested in a future career in the film industry. 'I will always want to go along to the Film Festival, even if I don't have a film that makes the shortlist, because I just love seeing everyone else's work,' he enthuses. However when he talks about working with his younger brother, the starring actor in his film, he is ever so slightly less enthusiastic. 'On the whole, my brother Jack did what I wanted him to, but there was a lot of bribery involving snacks!,' he admits.  

Both winners were extremely proud to win in their age relevant category and although they were very grateful to receive trophies, certificates and gift vouchers, it was the positive comments of the judges that they will remember above all.

This year's Film Festival was both a memorable and enjoyable evening for all those who attended or participated.

See some of the judges comments and follow the links below to watch the Harrodian Film Festival winners, runners up and special mentions:

6th Form winner:
Charles (U6th) - Why The Long Face
"Beautifully shot, well-made and fun... made good use of sound and props and the editing was carefully crafted.."

6th Form runner up:

Nic (U6th)  - See The Light
"Well-acted, great overlays in black and white, fantastic."

6th Form special mention:

Rita (U6th)  - I Do*
"Themes of love and entrapment intensified by great set and props."

*warning some darker content not suitable for younger audiences

Senior winner:

Jamie (14s) - DIRECT(OR)
"Funny, inventive, quick witted, shot with great maturity and prodigious acting by Jamie's younger brother ."

Senior runner up:

Felix (13s) - Revenge
"Retro feel with black and white captions, fantastic script and composition."

Senior special mention:

Rafferty (14s) - The Crush
"Short, sweet, a story everyone can relate to and funny!"