NewFilmmakers LA Celebrates British Cinema Co-presented by Britweek, BAFTA LA and Screen International
NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) celebrates Britweek with independent cinema on April 28th with a selection of films from the United Kingdom, along with local Los Angeles films. Five filmmakers from the United Kingdom, Polly Steele, Blake Harrison, Simon Ryninks and Garry Crystal will be joining NFMLA for the event, with flights generously provided by Norwegian Airlines.
The night begins with UK feature film Let Me Go by Polly Steele, an intergenerational story about the unraveling of a family secret and its emotional impact on three mothers and three daughters.
Second is InFocus: Britweek, a collection of short films from by UK filmmakers that include stories of love, family strife, foreboding and the search for human connection, featuring the world premiere of Blake Harrison’s (The Inbetweeners) directorial debut.
The night concludes with a narrative shorts program highlighting local Los Angeles talent and prominently features themes of finding, losing and letting go.
Feature Film
Let Me Go – Directed by Polly Steele
United Kingdom/Austria
Los Angeles Premiere
About the Director – Polly is an award winning UK based, independent, filmmaker renowned for her ability to tell the most compelling and sensitive stories. Her work includes BAFTA-winning documentary project Video Diaries (BBC). She has made films for all of the UK’s major broadcasters, and produced/developed fiction as MD for Rocket Pictures with Elton John and David Furnish and for her own company In Trust Films. She wrote and directed Let Me Go starring Juliet Stephenson, Johdi May and Lucy Boynton, with Radiohead’s Philip Selway composing.
Shorts Program #1: Infocus: Britweek
The Fox and The Rabbit – Directed by Garry Crystal
United Kingdom
West Coast Premiere
About the Director – In addition to being a History and Law graduate, Garry Crystal is a former television actor, having appeared in leading UK dramas such as “Fat Friends”, “Peak Practice” and “Children’s Ward.” This background has provided him with strong critical evaluation skills and an appreciation of story-telling, which he considers as essential tools for film-making. He has edited BAFTA, EMMY, Grierson and RTS winning and nominated documentaries and films, and is now venturing into directing.
Hooves of Clay – Directed by Blake Harrison
United Kingdom
World Premiere
About the Director – As an actor, Blake Harrison starred in three series and two subsequent films of the multi-award winning comedy “The Inbetweeners” as Neil Sutherland. He also starred in the 2016 remake of Dad's Army where he played Private Pike alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sir Michael Gambon. His other film work includes Keeping Rose, Madness in the Method and Reuniting the Rubins. Harrison's TV work includes three series of US comedy “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret” for IFC, “Prime Suspect: 1973” & “Houdini & Doyle” for ITV. “Way to Go,” “Him & Her,” “The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff” & “Trust Me” for BBC. As well as “Tripped” for E4. Hooves of Clay is his directorial debut.
Real Gods Require Blood – Directed by Moin Hussain
United Kingdom
About the Director – Moin Hussain is a London and Norfolk based director with a background in short films and music videos. After being selected by the Directors Guild of Great Britain to take part in a scheme for new talent, Moin’s first short film Holy Thursday was funded by Creative England and went on to screen internationally. His latest short Real Gods Require Blood premiered at Cannes film festival and was produced by BAFTA Award Nominated Producer Michelle Stein.
Us – Directed by Will Darbyshire
United Kingdom
North American Premiere
About the Director – Will Darbyshire is a 24-year-old British filmmaker with a following of nearly 700K followers on his YouTube channel, as well as a large audience on his Instagram and Twitter channels. Will has published a book of curated love letters, “This Modern Love,” to great acclaim worldwide reaching no.1 on the UK Sunday Times Bestseller List.
Contractor 014352 – Directed by Simon Ryninks
United Kingdom
About the Director – Simon is a director living and working in London. He has just completed his third short film Contractor 014352, starring Johnny Flynn (Genius, Lovesick, Song One), which had its world premiere at Palm Springs International Shortfest 2017 and has played at 9 festivals internationally, winning several awards. Previously he had been a finalist of the Sundance London Short Film Competition and IMdB New Filmmaker award.
Shorts Program #2
The Shuttle – Directed by Lu Han
Dear Sister – Directed by Jess Harbeck
EVOKE – Directed by Asia LeMasters
My Treasure – Directed by Michael Flores
Additional event information is available at www.nfmla.org
Founded in 2007, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. NFMLA’s programs annually serve approximately 25,000 patrons in the Greater Los Angeles area. NFMLA has screened over 2,500 films from 75+ countries, highlighting local and international talent.