Films for change

Ctrl.Alt.Shift short films at Raindance Film Festival 2009 Wednesday 7th October will see Ctrl.Alt.Shift host a special event at Raindance Film Festival 2009, screening 5 provocative short films, followed by a Q&A and after party. The short films include 1000 Voices, War School, HIV: The Musical, Man Made and No Way Through. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Fern Berresford (Man Made) and Ben Newman (War School), Andy Noble (Producer, Extraordinary Rendition), Heydon Prowse (Don’t Panic), Chantelle Fiddy (Ctrl.Alt.Shift) and special guests. The after party will include a DJ set by Matchstick (Warner) and live acoustic performance by MPHO. Ctrl.Alt.Shift is the experimental youth initiative politicising a new generation of activists for social justice. Using the creative mediums of photography, film, stories, illustrations and music, it highlights issues of global development to bring about change. The short films were created as a result of a national competition hosted by Ctrl.Alt.Shift which saw aspiring filmmakers aged between 18 and 25 write a treatment based around three key issues – War + Peace, Gender + Power and HIV + Stigma. Katrin Owusu, Head of Ctrl.Alt.Shift explained ‘the winning treatments were chosen because they demonstrated innovative approaches in bringing global development issues to life whilst pushing the boundaries which surround the way these issues are normally portrayed’. Judges included Riz Ahmed (Riz MC, Shifty), Adam Deacon (Kidulthood) and producer Andy Noble (Producer, Extraordinary Rendition). The 5 winners were given a cast, budget and were mentored by some of the most inspiring names in the film and music industries; Paul Andrew Williams (London to Brighton and The Cottage), Jim Threapleton (Extraordinary Rendition), Kinga Birza (music video director with Katy Perry, Ladyhawke, Noisettes, Katie Nash, Calvin Harris and Le Roux ), Chris Harding (directorial collective Shynola renowned for their acclaimed work with Blur, Radiohead, Grooverider, The Rapture and Queens of the Stone Age, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) and Aoife McArdle (founding member of collective Minivegas, directing music videos with Bloc Party, Test Icicles, and commercials). The films star some of the leading names in UK film and television such as Martin Freeman (The Office), Julian Barrat (Mighty Boosh), Kate Ashfield (Shaun of the Dead) and comedian Adam Buxton. The shorts boast soundtracks specially recorded by some of today’s hottest musical talent including Chipmunk, Shy Child, Young Knives, The Thirst, Metronomy and Jesca Hoop. Ctrl.Alt.Shift 5 short films include: 1000 Voices Director: Tim Travers Hawkins Mentor: Chris Harding Soundtrack: Jesca Hoop Highlighting the issue of conflict, this animation sees a lecture given to a group of teenagers about the merits of the UK's efficient and humane asylum system, while real-life detainees imprisoned indefinitely leave messages detailing the horror of the life that they have escaped. War School Director: Ben Newman Mentor: Aoife McArdle Soundtrack: Chipmunk + Shy Child Starring: Kate Ashfield + Phil Campbell Based around war + peace, a military training camp is created for child soldiers in a British school. HIV: The Musical Director: Joe Patrick and Tim Woodall Mentor: Paul Andrew Williams Soundtrack: Metronomy Starring: Julian Barratt + Martin Freeman An exposure of HIV + stigma, a series of video blogs posted by young playwright, James McKenzie, documents the challenge to his artistic integrity by the ignorance of a film company determined to hijack his script. Man Made Director: Fern Berresford Mentor: Kinga Burza Soundtrack: Young Knives Based around gender + power, Man Made tackles the treatment of women as property and the lack of self worth and identity women feel due to lack of education and the gender inequalities prevalent in many societies. No Way Through Director: Alexandra Bouillon and Sheila Menon Mentor: Jim Threapleton Soundtrack: The Thirst Highlighting mobility restrictions imposed by governments (especially countries in war zones) that limit access to health care, thus violating their fundamental human right to medical care. 1000 Voices and War School have been selected for public screenings at Raindance Film Festival. Ctrl. Alt. Shift Event at Raindance Film Festival: Date: Wednesday 7th October Location: Raindance Cafe, Vinyl Factory, Entrance at Phonica, 51 Poland Street, W1F 7LZ 7.00pm: doors open 7.30pm: 5 short films screened 8.15pm: Q&A panel discussion with Fern Berresford (Man Made) and Ben Newman (War School), Andy Noble (Producer, Extraordinary Rendition), Heydon Prowse (Don’t Panic), Chantelle Fiddy (Ctrl.Alt.Shift), plus special guests 9.00pm: Music with Matchstick (to DJ) and MPHO (acoustic set) 11.00pm: ends Tickets are available to buy for £5 from www.raindance.co.uk or are free to Raindance Film Festival passholders. Note: About Ctrl.Alt.Shift Ctrl.Alt.Shift is the experimental youth initiative politicising a new generation of activists for social justice and global change. Using creativity, photography, film, stories, illustrations and music, it aims to give a voice to the silent majority. www.ctrlaltshift.co.uk About Raindance Film Festival Raindance Film Festival is the UK's largest independent film festival, showcasing shorts and features from around the world and specialising in directorial debuts. Distinguishing itself from other festivals with its rock and roll attitude, the 17th Raindance runs riot in the West End of London from 30th September – 11th October 2009. www.raindance.co.uk

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