During lockdown Bristol calls on filmmakers’ creativity with #Shortitout

The city of Bristol, a UNESCO Creative City of Film in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, has launched the collective movie initiative #Shortitout in response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease. To highlight the central role of film in the city’s cultural identity during these trying times, the British Film Institute (BFI) Network in partnership with the Encounters Short Film Festival, Watershed and various industry partners including Channel 4 and BBC, launched this initiative in mid-April.

Filmmakers from all over the world, of every age and experience level, are invited to submit a 90-second film encouraging creativity and storytelling. A dedicated #Shortitout online space is set up to share tips and inspiration, from both filmmakers and industry experts, to provide opportunities for enhancing filmmaking skills and connecting with peers.

The online digital creative space also includes Q&As and live interviews with celebrated directors, such as Desiree Akhavan (The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Appropriate Behavior), and Jim Cummings (Thunder Road), as well as blogs and short films on DIY filmmaking from emerging talents. More content has been commissioned and is foreseen to be published regularly over the next coming months.

The #shortitout hub will also host curated playlists of the most compelling submissions, selected by representatives from BFI Network, Encounters and Watershed. In addition, the most innovative and original films will be showcased on the #shortitout online hub. The selected UK films will be presented on the BFI player and the National Archive, to ensure the preservation of the nation’s screen heritage, allowing future generations to access these creative cultural expressions in exceptional times.

To ignite further discussions and collaborations, a series of watch along events are also expected to offer a sense of communal viewing, encouraging audiences and fellow filmmakers to discuss films and filmmaking amongst others.

Interested filmmakers are invited to share their creations on the social platforms until 4 June.

To know more about #Shortitout, please visit:

• encounters-festival.org.uk/shortitout
• Facebook: Depict and Encounters Film Festival
• Twitter: @depictshorts @BFINETWORK @encountersSFF
• Instagram: @depictshorts @BFINETWORK @encountersSFF