Action! Half Cut Short Film Festival

An integral part of On The Rocks festival and next up on the St Andrews film-making calendar, Half Cut Short Film Festival is upon us! With the submission deadline – Friday 13th April – drawing ever-nearer there are just a few days left for budding film-makers to get their films up on the big screen at the New Picture House, North Street.

Last week, the University’s very own Lord Rector Alistair Moffat was confirmed as the first member of the awards panel – as a former Director of both STV and the Edinburgh Film Festival, one can feel supremely confident that that Mr Moffat will be an astute and knowledgeable judge of the films on show. More judging announcements are thought to be imminent, with the festival organisers working with dedication to secure more names for the panel.

The first official event scheduled for Half Cut Short Film Festival 2012 is the People’s Choice evening at the Buchanan Lecture Theatre on Sunday 15th April. At this event, attendees will have the opportunity to vote in those films that did not make it past the pre-selection panel – quite literally a chance for the people to make their choice! The initial pre-selection will be carried out by the festival committee along with the help of local student film-maker and actress Maia Krall Fry, whose excellent short film ‘Sunder’ won two awards at the 60 Hour Film Blitz last month. Entry is free for all students, so certainly worth attending to see (and potentially save!) the films deemed unworthy of the main event.

Following this rather democratic evening of cinema comes the glittering Awards Night Gala on the 19th April. This black tie affair is being held in the New Picture House and promises to be a memorable night of exciting, creative short films. All of this will be presided over by the judging committee, who will make their selections for the array of awards on offer. Tickets are priced at £6, and this price includes a complimentary bottle of beer, glass of wine or soft drink from the NPH bar upon arrival. Keep your eyes open for tickets going on sale, those seats could be filling fast!

So, with just a few days left to submit any films you reckon could do the business at Half Cut, aspiring auteurs can find more information on the festival, submission guidelines, rules and regulations and further announcements at www.halfcut.org.uk, on Twitter @HalfCutSFF and by liking the Facebook page.

Half Cut SFF 2012 Promo from Ioanid Nagy-Vizitiu on Vimeo.