The dates are already in the diary for LSFF to return for its 17th edition, parking up for our traditional ten days across the capital with an eclectic offering of short cinema's finest.
In 2019, we lit up the big screens of the Institute of Contemporary Arts, BFI Southbank, Curzon Soho, Regent St Cinema, Rich Mix and Dalston’s historic Rio, adding the famously underground Horse Hospital to our roster for an overhauled industry week of panels and workshops.
As always, we’re proud to welcome both UK and international submissions. In 2019, we screened 500+ films carefully curated from over 3200 submissions, and our industry esteemed In Competition programmes featured 50 exceptional UK and international short films awarded prizes by a British Council-sponsored international jury.
Each year, the festival appoints an international jury who deliberate on the following categories and award prizes of more than a cumulative £20,0000 value.
In 2019 the international jury consisted of producer Jacqui Davis (Ray & Liz), Dokufest Kosovo’s shorts programmer Samir Karahoda and film critic Wendy Ide (The Observer).
BEST BRITISH SHORT FILM
The British Council is pleased to continue its support of the LSFF 2019 Best British Short Award. The winning filmmaker received a bespoke travel opportunity to a Key International Festival, paid for and supported by the British Council (cash value circa £1500). A member of the film team is working with the winning filmmaker to help select the festival and plan their trip. The winner was also eligible to claim two days of finishing post-production services kindly provided by Envy post production (cash value circa £5000).
A Special Mention was also awarded a British Council support package with a cash value of circa £500.
BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
NOWNESS sponsored the 2019 Best International award which included an opportunity to pitch for a commission, have their work spotlighted on NOWNESS and one-on-one development and mentoring sessions with members of the NOWNESS team.
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM
2019’s Best Documentary award was supported by Sheffield Doc/Fest and The Guardian Documentaries and consisted of a full pass to Sheffield Doc/Fest and a consultation with The Guardian’s Head of Documentaries, Charlie Phillips.
BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
The Best Animated award in 2019 was sponsored by London International Animation Festival with the winner nabbing a full festival pass for their 2019 festival and a consultation with Animate Projects’ Abigail Addison.
In addition, LSFF awards from two other categories by separate juries:
RANDOM ACTS AWARD
Random Acts is Channel 4’s short film strand dedicated to the arts. The winner had the opportunity to have their film screened on Random Acts platforms in addition of an award of £1000.
BEST LO-BUDGET SHORT FILM
Chosen specifically from our UK and international lo-budget entries, this award was sponsored by Fat Llama and came with £500 to spend on their peer-to-peer rental marketplace.
