Screen Ashford’s Short Film Competition Winners Announced

Press release courtesy of Screen South

Screen South and Ashford Borough Council are delighted to announce the four winners of the Screen Ashford Short Film Competition, an initiative designed to spotlight and showcase local filmmakers. Following a competitive selection process, four filmmakers based in Ashford & the surrounding areas of Kent have each been awarded a £3,000 commission to create their proposed short film.

The four winning filmmakers, selected for their creative, unique proposals and intriguing perspectives, present shining examples of the incredible array of talent in the Ashford region, underscoring the significance of programmes like Screen Ashford in providing a launchpad for emerging filmmakers to achieve recognition in the screen industry. With the support of the local creative community, Screen Ashford is forging a new spotlight under which a new wave of storytellers can flourish.

Our four winners, whose films are due to be completed in February of 2025, are as follows:

11+

Written and directed by Alexander Arnold

Produced by Augusta Wood

In the summer of 2002, two best friends, Louis and Jordan, embark on what might be their final adventure together before heading off to different secondary schools.

Notification

Written by Nadia Nadif

Directed by Tamer Akeil

Produced by Joyce Veheary and Natasha Markou

Co-produced by Evelyn Sharples

Norah and Jeremy have recently moved to Ashford.  Jeremy doesn't read the news at all.  Norah does, a lot.  A heartfelt exploration of when we can't switch off in an “always-on” digital age.

Lost Toys

Written by Jake Thompson

Directed by Morgan O’Callaghan

Produced by Tim Arnold

Two lost-toys - Flick and Starr - travel across the streets of Ashford in an intense battle to win their owners affection.

Esc.

Written by Christian Azzola and Bex Harvey

Directed by Christian Azzola

Produced by Syd Heather & Danny Eycott

In a world where everyone is glued to a screen, discontented Clive rediscovers a forgotten passion when he finally looks up - but it’s the support from some unlikely friends that brings his dream to life.

Jo Nolan, Managing Director, Screen South, said: "The Screen Ashford Short Film Competition has been absolutely instrumental in showcasing the diverse range of creative voices in Ashford and the surrounding community.”

Chris Dixon, Arts & Cultural Industries Manager, Ashford Borough Council, said: “We’re really pleased to be supporting local creative talent, and to encourage more filmmaking to take place in Ashford. We can’t wait to see and show the final films, as well as help each filmmaker in the next stage of their career.”

All films will shoot in the Ashford over the coming months. The production teams will be working with as much local crew and talent as possible, promising an exciting time for filmmaking in Ashford.

Screen Ashford Short Film Competition is just one example of Screen Ashford’s commitment to fostering and showcasing talent within the Ashford community. The competition invited filmmakers based in Ashford and the surrounding region to submit proposals for short films, with four projects selected for funding based on creativity, vision, and storytelling potential. Winning films will be produced over the coming months and are currently scheduled to be finalised in February 2025.

Screen South are the delivery organisation for Screen Ashford, a programme funded by Ashford Council as part of their UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation to support the Creative Industry Digital & Screen.