The 2 Days Later 48hr Horror Shorts Competition was named in the June 2007 edition of Digital Video as the Fourth Best Festival in the UK for new filmmakers to enter. A part of the Canterbury Festival, the competition ranked higher than the National Theatre-based Birds Eye View Film Festival, the increasingly popular 10 Second Film Festival and the international Emergandsee, based in Britain and Europe.
2 Days Later is co-organised by Beeping Bush Productions, a not-for-profit digital media & production company situated in Margate’s historic old town; and Close-Up Film, a national film website & pr company, based in Folkestone and Canterbury.
Says Jean Lynch, Editor of Close-Up Film: "We were surprised and delighted to be rated so highly. The event is extremely popular with filmmakers and it's a pleasure to organise each year, but this vote of confidence from within the industry itself is tremendous.”
The aim of the competition is to devise and produce a chilling short film within 48 hours. Since the competition began in 2003, the organisers have been pleased to see many of their first-time filmmakers go on to careers within the industry with some, such as Herne Bay’s Russell Gomm, of Aurora Pictures, even setting up their own production companies.
Says Mick Etherton, Director of Beeping Bush Ltd: "Horror was chosen as it appeals to the novice film maker, everyone can have a go. It’s about accessibility. We wanted people to not get too worried or scared about making a film and not spend too much time or money on it. As we tell them ‘All you need is a camera and a bottle of ketchup!"
Now in its fifth year, this week saw the launch of 2 Days Later 2007, complete with a fully re-vamped website that contains full information, a trailer for this year’s event, and the opportunity to view previous year’s winning films.
Entrants can request the competition brief here. The closing date for entries is 5pm, Sunday 21st October. You must be 16 or over to enter. There is also a lively community page for 2 Days Later at www.myspace.com/2dl.
To celebrate this milestone fifth year and the rising profile and expansion of the competition, this year’s Awards Screenings and Presentations, on 27 October, will be held at the beautiful, newly-refurbished Theatre Royal in Margate.
Says Mick: “The event has a fantastic atmosphere, attracting filmmakers from all over the country. Some even come in fancy dress.”
Awards will be given for Best Film as voted by an industry panel; Best Film as voted by the audience; Best Student Film, plus awards for Best Screenplay, Cinematography, Sound, and Special Effects.
The prize package will continue to grow between now and October but already includes two places on the famous Raindance Lo-to-no Budget two-day filmmaking course, and copies of the Netribution Film Finance Handbook, essential reading for any filmmaker.
The judging panel will be announced shortly but previous judges have included Canterbury-based writer and broadcaster Jon Holmes (Dead Ringers, The 11 O’Clock Show); Mark Bowsher, of Liongate Films, a leading horror film distributor, and Jakob Ihre, cinematographer of Exodus, the Channel 4 feature shot in Margate.
The competition expanded into a fully-fledged festival in 2006 with the introduction of a series of free filmmaking workshops. These will take place again in this year, plus other new events include a lecutre on horror films by Canterbury Christ Church lecturer, Alan Meades, the winner of last year’s Best Film category.
The festival is supported by Screen South and Thanet District Council, with in-kind support from Canterbury Christ Church University.
Find out more about the companies and their services at www.beepingbush.co.uk and www.close-upfilm.com. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunites please email info@2dayslater.co.uk
Press Contact:
Jean Lynch, Close-Up Film
Mobile: 07980 040217
Email:jeanl@close-upfilm.com
Competition Contact:
Mick Etherton / Chris Cordwell, Beeping Bush Ltd
Telephone: 01843 223800
Email: info@beepingbush.co.uk
