![](https://cdn.lsff.newbuild.studio/events/champion-of-the-worldweb-w640h480.jpg)
NEW SHORTS #17 LONDON LIVES
18:30 Tue 14 Jan 2014
A selection of short films that show off the glory and diversity of our fair city. We see a darker side that’s not so welcoming in the animated documentary Act of Terror, the ‘state of the nation’ drama Best of Britain (set against the backdrop of the Royal Wedding), and the tube suicide drama Under. There are happier moments at the Abbey Road crossing in The Other Side of the Road and Olympics training on the running track in Champion of the World.
103 min
Ciné Lumière
SW7 2DT
-
ACT OF TERROR
Gemma Atkinson & Fred Grace 7 mins (UK, 2013)
While filming a routine stop and search of her boyfriend on the London Underground, Gemma suddenly found herself detained, handcuffed and threatened with arrest. Act of Terror tells the story of her fight to bring the police to justice and prevent this happening to anyone else, ever again. -
BEST OF BRITAIN
David Anderson 14 mins (UK, 2013)
For the first time in months Dan has work: a removals job but his van won't start. Without the money to get it fixed Dan's fiancee heads off to sell the only thing they have of any real value - her engagement ring. Dan sets out to stop her, unaware that London's streets are packed with people celebrating a National event. -
CHAMPION OF THE WORLD
Bim Ajadi 22 mins (UK, 2013)
Sophie is a talented young Deaf athlete. After being hit by a car, she fears she may never compete again. With sheer grit and determination, and the support of previously absent father, (a talented athlete in his youth) she proves that anyone could be champion of the world. -
EARLY ONE MORNING
Alexandra Kelsall and Matilda Hay 4 mins (UK, 2013)
We aimed to capture our area as it rises in the early morning and interwove this with a narrative about two lonely hearts who almost meet but don't, inspired by the anonymity of London. To add some levity, and to contrast with the banality of daily routines, we have linked our characters through a melodramatic love ballad by Meat Loaf. -
HUNGRY CORPSE, THE
Gergely Wootsch 9 mins (UK, 2013)
A short tale set in London's bustling, yet desolate Trafalgar Square about an ancient, rather hungry Corpse and... a Pigeon. Voiced by Bill Nighy ('Love Actually', 'Pirates of the Caribbean') and Stephen Mangan ('Green Wing') the film is a tale of companionship but also, a textural imprint of a dark, monochrome London from the perspective of a still, solitary protagonist. -
KILBURN
Mark Blackman 3 mins (UK, 2013)
A gut-wrenching tale of loneliness and love set to the backdrop of London's Kilburn, a withdrawn, vulnerable woman makes a connection with a stranger that ultimately leads to tragedy. ‘Kilburn’ is an independent music video starring London To Brighton lead Lorraine Stanley, with the dramatic ‘relationship thriller’ style and approach of Director Mark J. Blackman. -
LAST BUS HOME
Mark Jackson 3 mins (UK, 2013)
A young woman is on her way home after a night out. While waiting at a remote bus-stop she finds herself sitting opposite a loud-mouthed, intoxicated bloke. At first his flirting seems harmless. But when he goes too far and she tries to get away, she finds herself having to come his aid and ultimately learn the terrifying truth. -
LISTEN HARD
John Maloney 6 mins (UK, 2013)
Will collects nature recordings and uses them like narcotics, transforming the chaos of inner-city London. With headphones he smothers ringing phones and traffic with birdsong, waves and tranquility. But after leaving himself vulnerable in the street, he starts to suspect his sound habit is turning against him. -
OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE
Pippa Riddick 7 mins (UK, 2013)
Forty years after that band took that photo, the realities of living on Abbey Road are uncovered. A one off portrait, highlighting a ridiculous legacy that that band left behind. -
TOUCHED
Jeremiah Quinn 3 mins (UK, 2013)
Emilia wanders through Hampstead Heath. She reads the dedications to the departed on benches, and remembers her own lost love. But her own account of events is unsettling, and we have to wonder if we can trust Emilia and her strange emotions, and even question if she is actually alive -
UNDER
Dean Loxton 11 mins (UK, 2013)
Kerry is a train driver on sick leave due to a trauma at work. While roaming the train network to make sense of her tragedy she meets a man who understands her and knows what she needs. -
VOX POPULI
Timur Bekir 5 mins (UK, 2013)
In south London sit three unremarkable streets named after three remarkable philosophers. Filmmaker, Timur Bekir, went out onto these streets to ask the beautiful people of Brixton and Clapham for their own philosophical take on the big questions in life. Their answers are perceptive, funny and moving. Showing that we're all philosophers at heart. -
WOODHOUSE
Fred Rowson 9 mins (UK, 2013)
The Woodhouse Nature Reserve, South East London. It’s a sprawling hectare of knotted ivy and mossy tree stumps. And while its edges are speckled with rusting tins and damp takeaway boxes, its interior is verdant, untouched. There, beyond the padlocked gates some thing, some creature, is living.