SSAW News
3 January 2007 -
Welsh contenders one of four animated films selected for prominent
Sundance Festival
Welsh animators Dan Gray and Tom Brown, recent graduates of the Skillset Screen Academy Wales (International Film School Wales), have received the phone call that all filmmakers hope for – the call from Utah, from Robert Redford - from Sundance.
The Sundance Film Festival is organised by the Sundance Institute, which was set up 25 years ago by Robert Redford. The festival, which is renowned for starting the careers of independent filmmakers, is considered to be the premier U.S. showcase for American and international independent film.
The Welsh film t.o.m. created as a graduating film by Dan and Tom has been selected by Sundance as one of the 71 short films to be screened from the 4445 international submissions received. The film - one of the only 4 animated short films chosen - will be competing for the short film prize to be awarded for outstanding achievement and merit.
"There is artistry to making a short film, whether cutting-edge drama, animation or just shining examples of this often overlooked genre,” said John Cooper, Director of Programming, Sundance Film Festival. "At Sundance we work hard not only to find the best made shorts possible, but we continue to explore ways to bring them well-deserved attention and higher profile. We facilitate this visibility through screenings during the 10 days of the Festival in Park City and more broadly through the Festival website, where we stream short films free of charge and are building a world-wide audience for this amazing work.”
Short films have always been a part of the Festival program and accessible to all festival–goers. Sundance Film Festival short film alums include such renowned filmmakers as Todd Haynes, Spike Jonze, Paul Thomas Anderson, Wes Anderson, Field, Gus Van Sant, Trey Parker, and Matt Stone.
t.o.m…the journey of a young boy… was created by Dan and Tom in Dan’s parents’ garage as their graduation film – the animators started on the production in January and finished in May, working 17 hours a day 7 days a week. A digital production, the 3 minute film which cost £3000 to make has now gone on to garner critical acclaim internationally.
t.o.m picked up the Best Student Film award at the Norwich Film Festival in October and then received the UK nomination for the prestigious European Cartoon D’or at the Encounters Festival in Bristol in November – bringing the film to an appreciative UK audience.
The Sundance nomination is now sure to put the young filmmakers on the international map.
“Sundance is an opportunity that we only really joked about having,” said Daniel Gray. “ We now have the chance to show t.o.m to people who could really make a huge difference to how our careers pan out.”
Dan, who is originally from Newport (Caerleon) and is currently living there and Tom, originally from Berkshire but now settled in Newport, will be attending the Sundance Festival with support from the British Council and the Skillset Screen Academy Wales.
“The Screen Academy is fully committed to supporting our students while they study and when they start to work in the film industry and this is fantastic news for Tom and Dan – an excellent, thrilling start to their careers,” said Hannah Raybould, Project Manager of the Screen Academy Wales. “Having a nomination from Wales chosen from 4445 entries worldwide will certainly make the international filmmaking community look at our graduates and their untapped talent.”
Tom and Dan are currently working on the sting for the Ffresh Student Moving Image Festival 2007 and are working on a slate of ideas for future film together whilst working freelance.
“We wanted to create a film that kept festival audiences attention. Travelling to Sundance with t.o.m. is the sort of chance that for most comes around once in a lifetime so we will be sure to take full advantages of the trip and social networking opportunities at the festival.”
The Sundance Festival takes place on the 18th –28th January in Park City, Utah.
www.tdotodotm.com
sundance festival