We’re nearing the final day of the 20th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival, and while we’re sad to be gearing up to say goodbye, we still have so much more to show off from these amazing filmmakers. With screening blocks featuring Animation, Social Impact, the SAGindie selected films, Romance and a block of films from the UK, we’re not quite ready to wrap things up just yet. So please check out our selections for today, and for those who might be up for attending the final night of the festival, please check here if any more tickets are available. Those unable to attend can also see the films on BitPix. And be sure to check out our interview with filmmaker Jammal Lemy, whose film Happy Birthday is screening later today.
ANIMATION
Gary! – Nicolai Pike’s animated film looks quite adorable on the surface, but in reality, it’s the story of Gary, a guy who sucks. The last of his kind thanks to a screw-up on his part that blew up his planet, Gary is trying to find a new home, despite his reactionary mindset and the android companion who never ceases to tell him when he’s being a problem. With Jane Ramsey playing the AI companion and Edward Finlay as the absolutely incredible Roberto Robotico, this is a film that looks silly on the surface, and is so much sillier when you take a closer look.
SOCIAL IMPACT
The Last Ranger – Director Cindy Lee and writer David S. Lee show a glimpse of the true damage done by African rhino poaching in this film, which mixes fiction footage with the real film taken by Rangers protecting the rhino population. Based on these brave wilderness protectors, this film tells the story of Khusi and Rob, two rangers tasked with protecting rhino in Africa. Joined by a young acquaintance, Khusi is shown having to deal with poachers as they infiltrate the preserve, with the film showing the aftermath, both fictional and real. This is a barbaric practice that kills vulnerable and endangered wildlife, not to mention the lives of the rangers that are taken every year as well. This film is informative, heart-breaking and powerful in so many ways.
SAGINDIE
Happy Birthday – Bentley Green stars in this Jammal Lemy film that sees trauma as a commodity, and how even the most harmful traumas can still be valuable to the person it belongs to. Craig (Green) sees an infomercial that promotes the selling of trauma for cash, and Craig investigates as he can’t seem to get rid of his own. But when one of his biggest traumas is unresolved, he has to go to great lengths to get himself through it, though it could mean ridding himself of it in a way he may not want. It’s a brilliant film that takes on the idea of processing harmful memories in a unique way, and it’s delivered in such an impressive form. Green is terrific in it as well, showing a huge range of emotions that hit every time.
A TOUCH OF ROMANCE
Shouting At The Sea – Harry Michell and Maddie Rice star in this film, directed by Benjamin Verall and written by Verall, Amelia Rowcroft, Ruth Marshall and Kate Auster. Two old friends meet in their seaside hometown after a long time apart, spending the day together as they catch up on life. They talk about who they are now, who they were then, and the event that broke them apart. It’s a sweet and touching story that can show that not all romance is found in a relationship, and platonic love can be just as powerful. Michell and Rice do such a wonderful job showing the chemistry that would have made their characters such close friends, while also displaying the vulnerability of being apart for so long.
UK
Dragon Slayers United – Tom Levinge and Adam Pearson pen this film, which was directed by Levinge and stars Phyllida Swift, Rosie Jones, Adam Pearson, Shani Danda, and Dan Edge. Nic (Swift), while looking for a disability support group, instead finds a group of friends, all who live with disabilities, as they continue their tradition of playing Dungeons &Dragons at a local pub. While dealing with dragons, magic and some extremely rude bar patrons, Nic and the rest of her new friends manage to work together to win the battle, both in and outside of the game. It’s a very fun film, and mixing animation with live action, it makes it a really special film in terms of visual presentation. Also using disabled actors in the roles is a major plus, as they all do an excellent job.
A big thanks to all the filmmakers that were showcased today! Be sure to check back tomorrow for the final screenings of this year’s festival, and enjoy this interview with Happy Birthday writer/director Jammal Lemy!
What inspired you to start making films?
My family and the film “City of God.” My dad may not remember it from my childhood, but on our grocery runs, we would scour the five dollar movie bins for DVDs every week. Those moments, along with making YouTube videos when I was in middle school with my friends, were formative in igniting the curiosity for storytelling within me.
What were the challenges in making this project?
Really everything.
How much time do you have? There’s never a set-in-stone timeline on how long it should take to make a film but there were points where I wasn’t sure this film would be made. One of our main challenges was trying to find the right cinematographer. We got ghosted by three. Then it was finding the right person to cast as the Al character. Then it was scheduling — don’t shoot your film in December if you can help it — and financing the film. In the end though, I’m truly proud of what we made in the face of all these challenges.
Is there any type of message or emotion that you hope the viewer takes away from watching this film?
I really want this film to be a conversation around how we engage with our past and our own trauma. How do our memories inform our identity and sense of self?
How does it feel to be able to screen the film at HollyShorts?
I started the journey of making this film after a lot of personal loss — so it’s an honor to have even brought this idea to screen. And then to have the world premiere at a festival like HollyShorts is nothing short of incredible to me. This is my first non-student film and the second film I’ve ever made. To be a part of a festival like HollyShorts with all the amazing other films is an honor. I feel very grateful.
What’s on the horizon for you?
Continuing to show this film for sure. I’m developing the feature for Happy Birthday that expands on the world of the short. Applying for grad school. Developing other films and projects.
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