Filmmakers from UK, Italy and Russia shared the glory in this year’s Depict – Watershed’s 90 second filmmaking competition – at the recent Encounters Short Film Festival from a shortlist selected from over 500 entries from 59 different countries.

The Main DepicT! Award presented by Jury member David Sproxton, Aardman Animations Co-Founder and Executive Chairman went to Head Over Heals by director Leonid Grigurko, who travelled all the way from Russia to pick up his award – a £1,500 cash prize and a lifetime membership to our friends at Shooting People.

David explained that the jury felt that this film was “beautifully choreographed, making imaginative and physical use of the camera within a set frame”

In reaction to winning the award Leonid commented:

“For a whole year, my film has travelled through festivals, receiving awards, but it all happened without me. This time, I played a little part in its life. It’s the first time I have attended a foreign festival and I had a unique and incredible experience. I have overcome the geographical and language barriers between our countries, and as a result I realise that there are no barriers. We can communicate in the language of cinema and perfectly understand each other. I want to say a big thank you to all of you at Depict and Encounters for appreciating my film. You are all in my heart. With big love from Russia!”

The jury also gave a commendation to another Russian film – Escape by Anton Dushkin “for its playful sound design and joyous attention to detail.”

The Depict British Special Mention Award, which comes with a package of career development opportunities for a UK-based filmmaker from NFTS, BAFTA, Shooting People and BFI NETWORK went to Echo by Aimie Willemse. The award was presented by Producer and Founder of Try Hard films Sorcha Bacon who stated:

“Echo reimagines a Hans Christian Andersen story in a really exciting way, and achieves what it set out to do with minimal means and wonderful attention to details.”

In response to winning the award Aimie commented:

“Being shortlisted for Depict was a delight but winning the Special Mention award is just the most amazing surprise ever! I never dreamed that a 90 sec short made on an impulse like Echo could take me so far and open doors to exciting, new opportunities.”

Next up was the Depict The Royal Photographic Society Award, which carries a £1000 cash prize. Andy Golding FRPS, Principal Lecturer in Photography & Film read out a short statement from twice Oscar® and BAFTA nominated Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey ASC BSC about the winning film Traum(a) Novelle by Italian director Francesco Faralli, describing it as “beautifully made, with such a distinct photographic signature”

Reacting to his award Francesco said:

“WOW! I’m so amazed, happy and proud to have won the Depict Royal Photographic Society Award. It’s such a honour – all together with the endorsement of the jury and particularly Mr. McGarvey – that I’m speechless. It means a lot to me, it gives me hope for the future, if even a small short shot with a mobile and no crew can reach and win an international festival like this”.

Channel 4 Random Acts commissioning editor Catherine Bray then presented the Random Acts Award, which gives one lucky winner the unique opportunity to be featured on Channel 4’s Random Acts platform and receive mentoring. The Award went to British film Portrait of a Painterby director Euan Gilmour. Catherine remarked that she rarely comes across shorts that “manages to pack a three act structure in such a short film.”

Last but not least the Depict 2018 Shooting People Audience Awardselected by you went to Escape by Anton Dushkin. who also picks up a Lifetime Membership to Shooting People.

A big thank you to all the filmmakers who entered this year, to our fantastic jury members including Alexzandra Jackson BFI Network Talent Executive; Catherine Bray, Channel 4’s Random Acts Editor; Sorcha Bacon, Producer and founder of Try Hard Films; Chris Auty, former film critic and producer, Head of Producing at NFTS; Colm McAuliffe, Shooting People Event Producer; David Sproxton, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Aardman Animations; and BAFTA winning Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey ASC BSC on behalf of The Royal Photographic Society.

Thanks everyone for voting, all our partners and sponsors for their support and all the filmmakers that entered a film into Depict this year… And congratulations to all the shortlisted filmmakers. If you missed the Depict showcase at #Encounters2018, you can catch up with all the shortlisted and winning films here: depict.org/watch-films

The 2019 call for entries opens soon so watch this space for updates…

---