discover.film has announces the shortlist for the 2021 Craghoppers’ Student Film Prize and Social Impact Prize. The Craghoppers’ Student Film Prize was established to recognise the very best and outstanding new talent from around the world, shining a light on filmmakers whose debut films have a strong, distinct vision, compelling storytelling and the potential to entertain and engage global film watchers. This year’s shortlisted films have been selected from over 1000 submissions made by both independent newcomers and students at film schools from more than 50 countries.

The Craghoppers’ Student Social Impact prize which comes with a £5,000 cash prize was established to highlight global issues faced by all communities and is open to filmmakers from around the world.

An esteemed judging panel of industry experts will now judge the overall winner for Best International and Best UK Craghoppers’ Student Prize each awarded with a £1000 cash award. Both winners will become eligible to win the prestigious Craghoppers’ Film Prize to be awarded at the 10th edition of the Discover Film Awards held in London this October, the winner of which will receive £20,000.

Joanne Black, Director of Product and MD of Group Retail for The Regatta Group, said, “We are delighted to be celebrating, this year, the amazing talent in short film after such a challenging time for the Arts. We created the Craghoppers’ Film Prize in 2018, in partnership with discover.film. Short film is still hugely underfunded, so by offering such a significant cash prize at the Discover Film Festival, and including categories specifically for students both from the UK and Internationally, we are hoping to encourage new talent and help it to grow. I’m particularly proud of our Best Social Impact award which I feel reflects our commitment to social responsibility, something we strive to improve on every year. From how we produce our clothing sustainably to the ethical way we work with our suppliers. This ethos runs throughout the company. And of course, this all culminates at the exciting Discover Film Festival, a fantastic celebration. I am very excited to see who will be walking away with the top prize of £20,000.”

Winning films will be screened during the Discover Film Awards which is one of the largest and most celebrated short film festivals in the world. The three-day festival which opens on Friday 1st October will bring together global filmmakers, producers, senior TV execs, film industry experts and film fans from around the world.

Jaine Green, Head of Content and Acquisitions for discover.film said, “It’s been a tough 18 months globally and certainly the thousands of entries we received reflect that. What is most inspiring and exciting is that filmmakers did not stop filming in the face of a global pandemic. They found new ways to continue telling their stories turning adversity in opportunity. All the filmmakers should be proud of completing a film in lockdown conditions, but particularly those in this year’s Craghoppers’ shortlist given the exceptional quality required by these prestigious awards. I’m sure the generous support of Craghoppers’ will enable these already fantastic filmmakers to really shine as the world slowly finds its new normal.’

This year the organisers have added an additional online aspect to the event to help international filmmakers, in particular, to celebrate their achievements despite travel global restrictions. All winners, including the Craghoppers’ Student, Social Impact and coveted Craghoppers’ Short Film Prize will be announced at the glamorous VIP red carpet awards held at the Proud Embankment overlooking the Thames.

All shortlisted and winning filmmakers will be invited to launch their film onto discover.film which is now available in more than 190 countries with an estimated reach of almost half a billion viewers.

UK STUDENT

DO NOT FEED THE PIGEONS

In a coach station, around 2am, a collection of lonely and tired travellers are waiting for the coach. Somehow, in that cold and depressing place, the resident pigeons manage to create a magical connection between them for a beautiful instant.

Director: Antonin Niclass
Country of Production: UK

JAMIE

A struggling nineteen-year-old is contemplating ending her life. On the train to her nan’s, her journey is interrupted by another young woman’s death.

Director: Esme Creed-Miles
Country of Production: UK

BUILD ME UP

After the death of their creator, two robots are left to process their grief in a perilous new ice age and must learn to rely on each other to survive.

Director: Steve Lawson
Country of Production: UK

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

REDEMPTION

Losing all reason to live, a man stands on the precipice of life and death.

Director: Seora Hong
Country of Production: USA

THE LAST THING THAT DIES

Hans, an 80 year old man living his life alone and bound by routine is forced out of his comfort zone when a young girl comes knocking on his door looking for her lost cat.

Director: Jacob Wahlqvist
Country of Production: Sweden

UMAMA

The morning after having made a promise to celebrate her son’s academic achievement, Domestic worker Sibongile wakes to find he is missing.

Director: Talia Smith
Country of Production: South Africa

SOCIAL IMPACT

PANGOLIN MAN

With the people of south-western Uganda forced to hunt pangolins for survival due to a lack of income, one local man fights to save not only the lives of the pangolins, but the very people themselves.

Director: Ellie Stones
Country of Production: UK/Uganda

CASTELLS

In the face of oppression, the Catalan people have always endured a strong sense of identity. In the past they were persecuted for even speaking their own language. Today they persevere, expressing their culture throughout the region.

Directors: Pedro de la Fuente, James Worsley
Country of Production: UK/Spain

ONLY ONE WORLD LEFT

A Social Awareness Underwater Short Film of Single-Use Plastic Effects to the Oceans.

Director: Alican Abaci
Country of Production: Turkey

Categories: Press Releases

Tags: discover, discover.film