Solihull Arts Complex

Solihull Council and Culture Solihull are proud to present the very first Short is Beautiful Film Festival in association with IMA Festival. This exciting new short film festival will award filmmakers from the West Midlands, giving both new and established artists the chance to try out new ideas, concepts, and ways of working. Short is Beautiful is an exciting oportunity to support and develop filmmakers from across the Midlands.

The festival will take place across 16 and 17 October at Cineworld Solihull, with a programme of industry panels and screenings. There will be an accompanying gallery exhibition held in The Courtyard Gallery at The Core from 4-18 October, which is free to view.

EVENT PROGRAMME

DAY ONE – Monday 16 October

• 6pm – screening of three specially commissioned films by local film makers Nicola Prestage, Carl Words and Andy Howlett
• 7pm – Panel – In discussion with Carl Woods Director of ‘My Everest’ and Jez Alsop Director of ‘Fixed’. Making a feature film and securing distribution deals.
• 8pm – Screening of My Everest, a film by Carl Woods (86 minutes)

DAY TWO – Tuesday 17 October

• 6pm festival begins
• Screening and Awards Young Film Maker category
• Screening of all other categories
• Judges panel and Q&A
• Presentation of Awards

 After the Young Filmmakers' awards have been handed out, the recommended age guidance for the film festival will be 15 years and up.

 

Screen Careers in the West Midlands 10-4 Monday 16th October @ The Courtyard Gallery, The Core

In this one day workshop with Caroline Officer you will explore the range of screen careers in the West Midlands and further afield.

Whether you’re interested in TV or Film, High End Drama or Unscripted this workshop will explore how to apply your skill set to a career in TV or film.

How do you launch a career in the screen industry? What are the routes in?

What skills is the sector crying out for and how do you make yourself as employable as possible?

 

 Portfolio Reviews with Carl Woods 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm, Tuesday 17th October @ The Courtyard Gallery, The Core

Director of My Everest Carl Woods will lead portfolio review sessions. A chance to look and share content with other film makers and content creators, give and receive feedback and engage in a creative dialogue around developing an effective portfolio.

Session 1: 10am - 1pm

Session 2: 2pm - 5pm

 

ABOUT THE JUDGES

Hayley Pepler

Hayley Pepler is a Screen Director and Producer, and the Head of Content & Digital Broadcast for the UK City of Culture programme. Hayley also works with the Royal Shakespeare Company, as the producer of the Live from Stratford Upon Avon cinema broadcasts.

 

 

Daniel Alexander

Daniel Alexander is an award-winning director and BAFTA Connect filmmaker based in Birmingham. He currently p roduces and directs work for platforms and agencies including the BBC, BFI , WARNER BROS, and the official film for the COMMONWEALTH GAMES HANDOVER CEREMONY.

 

Jez Alsop

Jez Alsop is a Midlands-based film director, known for directing the feature film Fixed (2021) which won Best Feature Film at The Northampton Film Festival 2023, as well as Best Actor in a Leading Role at Midlands Movies Awards 2022, where it was also nominated for Best Feature Film and Best Cinematography. The film was also nominated in the National Film Awards for Best Thriller. Alsop has also directed numerous short films including Close at Hand (2007) and Love in a Lecture Theatre (2004). Jez lectures on the Creative Film, TV & Digital Media Production courses at The University of Northampton.