Latest news with #shortfilm
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Alesha Dixon reveals surprise career change as she makes major move away from music
Alesha Dixon has revealed her latest career change as she has made a surprise move away from music. Alesha, 46, is best-known as a singer and TV host, rising to fame in Mis-Teeq before securing presenting gigs on shows including Britain's Got Talent. However, she has now made a big move into the film industry as she has signed up as an executive producer of a short film. Alesha has joined the team producing Fire Lily, which tells a story about the systematic abuse of power in society and has been written by Phil Dunn. Alesha's involvement in the project was announced in an Instagram post on Wednesday, with Alesha then excitedly promoting the venture on her Stories. Alesha said of her major move: 'I'm honoured and excited to join an already stellar team of creatives and watch Fire Lily blossom. Alesha has signed up as an executive producer of Fire Lily, a short film about the systematic abuse of power in society which has been written by Phil Dunn 'I believe this film will make a powerful impact on the world and inspire many people.' Alesha was previously listed as an executive producer on her music video Chargie, but this marks her first major venture into the film industry. She is joining Danish film producer Kim Magnusson and actress Theresa Godly - who has taken on minor roles in Motherland and EastEnders - on the project. Kim, 59, has signed on off the back of his major success at the 2025 Oscars with I'm Not a Robot, which won the award for Best Live Action Short Film. According to a synopsis, 15-minute short film Fire Lily will tell the story of a Black dancer being wrongful detained by a white police officer. It adds: 'As violence flares, reality ruptures into stunning poetry, movement, and sound. Fire Lily is a searing short film about injustice, shared breath, and beauty that blooms amid devastation.' The film is currently fundraising online for its production and has so far achieved 80 per cent of its $15,000 (£11,000) goal, with one day to go until the deadline. Writer Phil's last film, titled The Stupid Boy, qualified for Oscar and BAFTA consideration, but didn't make the final shortlist. Alesha rose to fame in the 2000s as part of R&B and garage group Mis-Teeq and she has since become a sought-after TV presenter. She has hosted Children In Need and Comic Relief, and has served as a judge on Britain's Got Talent since 2012. However, the talent show's judging panel has undergone quite the shake-up as her co-star Bruno Tonioli has reportedly quit after two seasons. It has been claimed that internet sensation KSI is in discussions to take over the position after filling in for Bruno on the most recent series, according to The Sun. Bruno, 69, who previously judged Strictly Come Dancing, joined the ITV show in 2023 following David Walliams ' departure. Despite reported efforts from show boss Simon Cowell, 65, to convince him to remain, conflicting commitments with Bruno' Dancing With The Stars gig in the US are said to have made it impossible to continue. A source told the publication: 'Bruno has officially quit Britain's Got Talent and they are hoping that KSI will replace him. 'He absolutely loved being on the panel with Simon, Alesha and Amanda Holden but Bruno just can't juggle his schedule with filming. 'There is no bad blood and Bruno is leaving with a smile on his face.' MailOnline contacted Bruno's representatives for comment at the time.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Kent filmmaking scheme to 'nurture new generation' of talent
An event in "celebration of local film talent" is being hosted to create filmmaking opportunities and a short film competition for Kent-based directors and Ashford, a collaboration between Screen South and Ashford Borough Council (ABC), said it seeks to "support the local industry and nurture a new generation" of filmmakers following its launch in said three short films from local artists will be shown at the free event, followed by Q&A sessions with the filmmakers and networking is set to take place at the Ashford Cinema from 19:00 BST on Wednesday, 30 July. Screen Ashford's past events have included film workshops, screenings and a 48-hour film challenge with entries planned, shot and edited within two days."These activities have reached over 1,500 participants across Ashford, with a focus on young people aged 14–35 and underrepresented groups," a spokesperson from Ashford Borough Council scheme has supported creating four locally commissioned films, with each previous short film winner receiving £3,000 to bring their pitches to said it has also helped build a grassroots screen hub at The Ashford Cinema in Elwick took over the site after Picturehouse said it would be leaving the cinema, with the council rebranding and opening its doors in early Nolan, managing director at Screen South, said: "[The scheme] has been absolutely instrumental in showcasing the diverse range of creative voices in Ashford and the surrounding community."Funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which provides £2.6bn in government funding for local investment and upskilling in communities and businesses by March this year, is used to support the year-round programme.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
To Make ‘Toots,' My Sensitive Film About Aging, I Needed the Perfect Fart Noise
Chris Evans is a Shreveport, Louisiana-based filmmaker whose latest film, "toots." is on a festival run that has recently included Indy Shorts. In the piece below, he discusses the importance of sound. The amazing Phoebe Waller-Bridge once gave me some advice (via an Instagram reel, but still): 'Disarm an audience with comedy and then punch them in the gut with drama when they least expect it.' I applied it to my short film, 'Toots.,' the story of a devoted son grappling with the responsibilities of caring for his aging mother with Parkinson's. Where's the comedy, you ask? It lies in an extended flatulence scene that sets up a heartbreaking finish. Risky: Because the success or failure of the scene depends, in part, on the sound of the flatulence. Related Headlines Lisa Dahl: Blessed by Grace Recounts a Mother's Journey From Tragedy to Nourishing Others Sean Connery as 007: 12 Behind the Scenes Images of Bond at His Best 11 Shameless 2000s Comedies That Just Don't Care If You're Offended Folks loved the script, but you can't hear a script. I had a strong sonic concept of how it should play out, but I didn't know exactly how to compose it in the sound design, or communicate it to the production team. Also Read: 11 Films of the 1940s That Are Still a Pleasure to Watch The fart sounds you find in sound packets on the internet just don't cut the mustard. I had a small budget of $1,500 for sound design — which we went over — and a strong sense of what the laughing/tooting scene should sound like. 'Toots' Director Chris Evans on the Quest for the Perfect Flatulence Our lead actress, Pam Dougherty, was on board to play the aging mother. In Pam's 'fart scene,' her character would have a laughing fit, which would stimulate a symphony of toots meant to harmonize with her laughter, as if her diaphragm was pushing out both ends. When Pam and I talked this scene over, prior to filming, she said, 'I can laugh on cue no problem. But I'm not sure I can fart on cue.' I assured her no practical flatulence was required. First, we had to film the scene. I needed reactions from the son, played brilliantly by Logan Sledge, as well as rhythmic laughter from the mom. We wanted clean audio of her laughs without the toots, so we could add them in later. In early takes, I threw out 'brrnnhh' noises, but it just didn't work. Pam looked at me one time and said, 'What does that mean?' She wasn't used to her director speaking in onomatopoeia. The next problem I didn't foresee was that the sound designer needed a long time to get things perfect. I had to get placeholder audio in for the editors, and needed an edit so the composer could get to work. None of them would have the final sound design while they worked. People were really frightened. The early placeholder farting was truly cringe. At one point an editor took out the farting sounds and replaced them with music, so the viewer would see the scene and hear the laughing, but not the toots. For a moment I thought she was onto something — maybe we wouldn't be able to pull this off. The composer, Lucas Lechowski, was touched by the story, but understandably nervous about the heavy-handed farting that was in the edit he was working with. Lucas tried ever so subtly to ask me to dial it back. I reassured him that his instincts were in line with mine, and that I was still working on the sound design. Enter the real hero of this story, sound designer Gregory C. Vilfranc. Gregory and I had a long talk before we agreed to work together on this, and thankfully, he also was touched by the story. We talked about ways that the farting cadence could mimic the laughing cadence. 'Is that even possible?' I asked. He answered with some very long and technical jargon that sounded like a 'yes.' We went back and forth trying to find just the right balance. Each time we would dial the farts back, or cut a couple out, or replace the position of where they landed. Everything had to sound real, not cartoony. It had to satisfy the moment in the story that symbolized a return to fonder days between the mother and the son. The fart scene also had to set up a final scene in which the son finds the mother after she has peacefully expired in her sleep. Oof, heavy. If we didn't get it right, this film was going to be an embarrassment. I found myself giving Gregory notes like, 'They need to sound more demure' or, 'They need to sound like they are slipping out instead of being pushed out' or 'They need to sound more airy.' The real magic came in this back and forth communication. I really feel like we could've kept fine-tuning forever, but at some point you have to call it finished. For me, that point was when the 'laughing scene' elicited more of a smile than a full belly laugh. Just enough humor was perfect. Too much humor would be detrimental. A little bit of feeling sorry for the mother was perfect. Feeling grossed out would be detrimental. The real key was when the death scene felt truly heartbreaking. It's a magical thing how edits to a prior scene can completely change the feeling of the ensuing scene, especially when you're not changing the ensuing scene at all. Through strong conviction and excessive communication, the right balance of sweetness and silliness was found, and a touching story of caring for each other was preserved. Main image: Pam Dougherty and Logan Sledge in "Toots." Courtesy of Chris Evans Related Headlines Lisa Dahl: Blessed by Grace Recounts a Mother's Journey From Tragedy to Nourishing Others Sean Connery as 007: 12 Behind the Scenes Images of Bond at His Best 11 Shameless 2000s Comedies That Just Don't Care If You're Offended Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Guernsey short film qualifies for British Independent Film Awards
A short film partly shot in Guernsey has qualified for the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).Whispers of Freedom, written and directed by Guernsey filmmaker Brandon Ashplant, tells the story of Chris Gueffroy, a waiter who tried to flee East Germany after he discovered he was being conscripted to the world premiere was held at the Sunderland Shorts Film Festival in May, a qualifying event for BIFA, with an upcoming premier at Worcester Film Festival in a post on social media, production company Golden Goat Films said securing official selection at both of the BIFA qualifying festivals "paved the way" for the film to qualify for the 2025 BIFA's. It said: "Per the BIFA rules, a short film must secure official selection into at least two qualifying festivals on the BIFA category B list to be eligible."Exciting times ahead."The film was supported by both Guernsey Arts and the DDR Museum in team behind the production said "it beat off several thousand other international short films to win a spot in the official selection line-up".Mr Ashplant previously said local actors and crew worked alongside international names on the project including former Doctor Who actor Christopher Eccleston, and Oscar nominee Jonathan Tammuz."There are too many names to mention. One-hundred-and-forty-eight in total, and around 70% them are local. I cannot thank them enough," Mr Ashplant said.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Honor Swinton Byrne, Herbert Nordrum, Charlotte Spencer Board ‘Small One' (EXCLUSIVE)
Honor Swinton Byrne is reuniting with writer-director Anne-Sofie Lindgaard for the National Film and Television School (NFTS) short film 'Small One,' joined by Charlotte Spencer and Herbert Nordrum in what marks the emerging filmmaker's graduation project. The casting represents a significant get for the NFTS production, bringing together Swinton Byrne, fresh off 'A Very Royal Scandal,' with Spencer from 'The Gold' and Nordrum, who broke out in 'The Worst Person in the World.' More from Variety Honor Swinton Byrne, Lily-Beau Leach, Rory Fleck-Byrne Star in 'Do Mosquitos Bite in Winter?' (EXCLUSIVE) Lindgaard, the Danish filmmaker behind festival favorite 'Icelandic Poppies,' is tackling fertility and family dynamics in her latest short. The story follows sisters grappling with opposite pregnancy experiences — one dealing with an unexpected conception while the other faces IVF struggles. The project marks Lindgaard's third collaboration with casting director Simon Higgins, whose recent work includes assembling talent for her Cannes silver-winning short 'Backseat.' Their partnership has become a defining element of Lindgaard's NFTS tenure. 'Casting is such a vital part of storytelling, and working with someone who shares your artistic language brings a rare kind of clarity and joy to the process,' Lindgaard said, praising Higgins' ability to translate her creative vision. For Swinton Byrne, the project continues her relationship with Lindgaard that began on 'Do Mosquitos Bite in Winter?' The director describes their collaboration as 'magical,' citing the actor's 'emotional nuance, generosity, and sensitivity.' The film wrapped production in Denmark and enters post-production ahead of its premiere at the NFTS graduation showcase. Producer Ola Andrzejewska is steering the project toward the festival circuit, following the successful trajectory of Lindgaard's previous shorts. Lindgaard, whose 'Icelandic Poppies' earned a Robert Award shortlist and festival wins, is a Danish filmmaker based in London. 'Small One' continues her exploration of intimate human stories as she builds her growing portfolio. The casting coup underscores the National Film and Television School's ability to attract established talent for student projects, with Swinton Byrne's involvement particularly notable given her rising profile following Joanna Hogg's 'The Souvenir' films. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
