BAFTA and British Council Film present Short Sighted, an annual all-day event dedicated to maximising the impact of your short film, in association with Shooting People.
Some of the major players in short film distribution give you the inside track on getting your film seen. Representatives from London Film Festival and Sundance as well as BAFTA-nominated filmmakers share insights on navigating the festival circuit, developing your film festival strategy and bridging the gap from shorts to feature.
10.30 - Welcome address from BAFTA and British Council
10.40 - The Festival Circuit - What do festival programmers look for in a short film and how can you make the most of your festival experience? A panel of short film festival directors and programmers from festivals including London Film Festival and Sundance, advise on navigating the festival circuit.
Philip Ilson, Artistic Director (London Short Film Festival) and Short Film Programmer (BFI London Film Festival)
Katie Metcalfe, Shorts Programmer, Sundance Film Festival
Liz Harkman, Programmer, Locarno Film Festival, Switzerland & Flickerfest, Australia
Anna Bogutskaya, Underwire Film Festival
Hosted by Briony Hanson, Director of Film, British Council
11.40 - Coffee break
12.00 - Festival Favourites screening - Sit back and enjoy a selection of UK shorts currently enjoying success on the UK and international festival circuit
13.00 - Break
13.45 - Fireside Chat - Two filmmakers whose work has shown at top international festivals talk us through their work in short film, including how to make the most of your festival journey and top tips on gaining the maximum exposure for your film.
Sorcha Bacon, BAFTA nominated producer (Wren Boys)
Jenn Nkiru, Director (Rebirth is Necessary)
Hosted by Joanna Duncombe, Film Programme Manager (Shorts)
14.45 - Delivering and Marketing your film - A succinct session on how best to present and package your short film. What are festival programmers looking for? We explore their do's and don'ts with a marketing expert.
Sarah Mosses, Founder and CEO, Together Films
15.10 - Break
15.30 - Beyond the Festival Circuit - How can your short reach audiences, beyond the festival circuit? We talk to experts in VOD, and curated cinema exhibition about finding audiences for your short film.
Isobel Moir, Film Programmer, Independent Cinema Office (ICO)
Simon Young, Vice President EMEA Acquisitions, Shorts International
Ananda Pellerin, Senior Editor, Nowness
Hosted by Joanna Duncombe, Film Programme Manager (Shorts), British Council
16.30 - Developing Your Talent - Moving from Shorts to Features - So you’ve made your short film - what next? We welcome a panel of debut directors and producers to discuss their journey, with input from funders, talent agents, distributors and sales agents on the hunt for new talent.
Ellie Gibbons, Creative Strategy Consultant (Pia Pressure) and former Acquisitions & Development Manager (Altitude)
Ben Luxford, Head of UK Audiences, BFI
Rowan Woods, Film Programme Manager (Festivals), British Council
Prano Bailey-Bond, Director
Joy Gharoro, Producer
Hosted by Matimba Kabalika, Talent Development Executive, Troika
17.30 - Networking drinks - Round off the day’s events with a spot of networking and a drink (or two!) on us.
Short Sighted will be coming to Cardiff in December. Keep your eyes peeled for updates shortly.