Hull International Short Film Festival highlights

GLIMMER The 7th Hull International Short Film Festival, which runs from 21st-26th April, is proud to announce that it has renamed two of its major awards the Anthony Minghella Award for Best International Short and the Anthony Minghella Award for best UK Short. Both awards have been sponsored by the University of Hull and carry cash prizes of £1000 (International Award) and £500 (UK Award).

Anthony Minghella, who sadly passed away in 2008, was one of the British film industry’s most talented directors and respected champions. Minghella studied at the University of Hull and, after a storied career in the theatre, TV and radio, it was Minghella's 1990 feature Truly, Madly, Deeply that cemented his reputation of a director of sensitivity and passion. Other hits included The Talented Mr Ripley, Cold Mountain and The English Patient, the film that netted him an Academy Award for Directing. His love for the industry also saw him serve as the Chairman of the Board of Governors at the British Film Institute between 2003 and 2007.

Glimmer Director Laurence Boyce said:

“We’re proud that we are able to team up the University of Hull and to honour the legacy of one of Britain’s most respected filmmakers. The Anthony Minghella Award for Best International & UK Short sponsored by the University of Hull will see some of the very best short films from around the world shown to an enthusiastic audience. In uncovering new talent and celebrating the art of cinema, we hope that GLIMMER will able to continue the work that Anthony Minghella did in being an advocate of the moving image and a tireless supporter of emerging filmmakers.”

Included in the UK Competition will be the BAFTA nominated short film LOVE YOU MORE, which was produced by Anthony Minghella. Directed by renowned artist and filmmaker Sam Taylor-Wood and written by the Oscar nominated writer Patrick Marber, the film is an evocative tale set in late 70s London. Georgia sits in a Geography class and catches the eye of Peter and they soon find themselves at the local record shop buying the new Buzzcocks single Love You More. With only one copy left they go to her bedroom and listen to the song. But soon the song becomes background to more important matters for the adolescents. A passionate, urgent and nostalgic film, it was one of the most talked about films both at the 2008 Cannes Festival and the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. The film also features two songs by Buzzcocks: the titular Love You More and its B side Noise Annoys, and a cameo appearance from Peter Shelley, the band’s lead singer. You can find out more at www.loveyoumorefilm.com

Other highlights of GLIMMER include a retrospective and carte blanche for legendary experimental filmmaker JOHN SMITH who will be on hand to talk about his storied career, an exhibition of Polish Poster art entitled FREEDOM ON THE FENCE, 3 days of industry events, a retrospective of cult animator DAVID FIRTH and much, much more. A full schedule and ticket information will be available in the coming weeks.

For more information on GLIMMER, and to get on the mailing list, email office@hullfilm.co.uk or ring 01482 381512. You can also find Hull Film on My Space at www.myspace.com/hullfilm.

GLIMMER is funded by Screen Yorkshire, Arts Council England and Hull City Council.

Leading sponsors of GLIMMER are Reel Cinemas, Axis Design, University of Hull and the Polish Cultural Institute.

Media Partners of GLIMMER are Aesthetica Magazine, Shooting People, Netribution.co.uk, Short Film News, Little White Lies, Electric Sheep Magazine, Hull Daily Mail and Hullvibe.co.uk

Hull Film is dedicated to the exhibition and creation of short film as a crucial art form in its own right. In addition to the annual Hull International Short Film Festival, Hull Film has continued to provide a variety of film programmes and educational events in the city of Hull and around the UK. www.hullfilm.co.uk

The University of Hull has over 460 courses within key study areas and has been rated in The Times' Top 20 for Teaching Quality, and was honoured with a place within the THES - QS World University Rankings' top 500. It offers a Single Honours degree in Film (in addition to twelve well-established Joint Degrees) and an MA in British Cinema. Go to www.hull.ac.uk for information.