COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL 2014 28

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COMEDY
FILM FESTIVAL
2014
28th and 29th Oct 2014
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The Grave Sketch
Dir: Richard Woolford - Sketch
Seymour was having trouble finding a grave of a relative of his but luckily there
was somebody there to help.
The Butcher
Dir: George Kane - Short Film
A profile of a highly-strung butcher who minces everything but his words.
Jeff & Caroline
Dir: Plum Stupple-Harris - Short film
Jeff and Caroline. A relationship as twisted as the rest. Jeff's neglectful ways
prompt his wife to take drastic measures to regain their connection. Does she
go too far? Maybe... a little bit... ish.
Randolph Tempest - Professional Thespian
Dir: Anthony Sabanskis - Short film
A day in the life of deluded master thespian - Randolph Tempest.
The Office Cult
Dir: Stephen Pipe - Short film
Carl Higgins, AKA ‘Second Coming of Christ' decides to lead his worshippers/
colleagues to paradise. All in their dinner hour.
Ashes to Ashes
Dir: Aurora Fearnley - Short film
A tardy funeral director discovers she's at the wrong ceremony at an
inescapable moment.
The British Comedy Guide is running
The Big Comedy Conference 2014
in London on Saturday 29th November.
It's a day focused on how to get on in TV and radio comedy writing, with the
best practical advice from the biggest names in UK comedy. Speakers include
stars such as Inbetweeners co-writer Damon Beesley. All tickets get a free
half hour one-on-one script session too.
To find out more visit
www.comedy.co.uk/bcc
Ivan Brackenbury
Dir: Jason Wingard - Sitcom Pilot
Tom Binns plays tragic hospital radio DJ Ivan Brackenbury who dreams of
becoming a radio one DJ.
Baby by Heffernan & Fletcher
Dir: Tony Lundon - Short film
Sophie struggles to come to terms with best friend Meg's new 'mumsy'
personality and her own apathy towards motherhood.
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Film Programme 3 and 4
Auditorium • 18.30
Shortlised comedy films, sitcom pilots & comedy sketches
with live comedy acts and 15 min interval.
Modern Conversation
Dir: Ben Garfield (performers Mixed Doubles) - Sketch
A very modern conversation as two old friends catch up . . .
Welcome to the 3rd COFILMIC Comedy Short Film Festival and Awards. Thanks for coming and hope you have
a fantastic time.
Seabastards
Dir: Hot Gulp (Hal Branson, Patrick Low & Sean McKenna) - Sitcom/Web Pilot
Meet the residents of Roddigan’s Cusp. Somebody has to.
Hampstead Police
Dir: Simon Fox and Stephen Dinsdale - Sketch
An adaptation of one of TeakShow's sketches about some very refined north
London police.
We have a great selection of daytime events, including live competitions, workshops and industry sessions –
hearing from those who commission, fund and make comedy across film, television and radio.
The evenings are given over to the shortlisted films, sketches and sitcom or web series pilots which have been
selected from the hundreds of entries we received. We also have some fantastic live comedy from new and
established comedians and sketch performers.
Make sure you stick around for the grand finale COFILMIC Awards ceremony on the second night. You will find
Help The Homeless
Dir: James Roberts - Sketch
A chilling take on the truth behind those sinister charity ads . . .
out the winners and runners up in each category as well as the three people chosen by Wildseed Studios, the
sponsors of the £10,000 Grand Prize, to enter a development period before they select their outright winner.
This year we have partnered with The British Comedy Guide who are hosting two sessions, including a sketch
workshop. We are also proud to work alongside Salford University who will run an improvisation workshop and
Bullet Hole
Dir: Chris Green - Short film
A comedy film about two coppers, a drugs bust and a dealer who must either
fart...or die!
Return of the Chugger
Dir: Hot Gulp (Hal Branson, Patrick Low & Sean McKenna) - Sketch
They say charity begins at home, but this is a step too far.
showcase the best in new comedy performing talent emerging from the University itself.
All exciting stuff!
Thanks, as ever, to our hosting and production partners, The Comedy Store and Lion Eyes TV – without them
this event simply would not happen.
Have fun.
Dan of the Dead
Dir: Peter Ellis - Short film
Dan’s moment of peace is disturbed when he is confronted by a brain thirsty
zombie. He has to think on his feet and try his best to kill the zombie in the
drunken state he has got himself into.
Ghosts Monsters & Legends
Dir: John Rutledge - Web Pilot
Leading Paranormal researcher, Richard Helix, almost reveals the facts behind
the unexplained.
INTERVAL
Janet Harrison
Managing Director
COFILMIC
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
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Judges & Panellists
Steve North
General Manager, Dave: Gold and Watch
In 2007 Steve led the highly successful re-brand of UKTV G2 into
Dave, the home of witty banter. He led on highly successful
commissions and acquisitions including Red Dwarf , Crackanory,
Dave Gorman’s Modern Life is Goodish, Ross Noble
Freewheeling, Suits and Storage Hunters. He has also overseen
the investment in new content for Gold, the successful comedy
channel and his remit has expended to include UKTV’s
Entertainment channel Watch.
Jon Mountague
Commissioning Editor, Comedy: Sky 1, Atlantic, Living
and Arts
Amongst other projects, Jon has commissioned and execs Stella,
Trollied, Mount Pleasant and A Young Doctors Notebook.
Previously he ran BBC Comedy North which created the award
winning shows Ideal with Johnny Vegas, I’m With Stupid,
Scallywagga and We Are Klang. He is a qualified bus driver and
was once re-tweeted by Steve Martin.
Mark Boosey
British Comedy Guide
Mark Boosey is the founder and Editor of The British Comedy
Guide, the UK's most visited comedy-related reference website
with over 500,000 readers a month.
Celine Coulson
Development Editor: Film4
Prior to Film 4, Celine worked in development at Liberty Films.
She has also worked in the production of films such as Skyfall,
Warhorse and Beloved. Film4 develops and co-finances films and
is known for working with the most innovative talent in the U.K.
whether new or established.
Hollie Ebdon
Mike Leigh Associates
Hollie Ebdon is a talent agent specialising in comedy. She
represents acts for writing and performing across all medias with
the aim to guide and support with an emphasis on longevity and
creativity. Hollie currently works at Mike Leigh Associates and her
clients have have accrued credits such as Paddington (feature),
Survivor (feature), High Rise (Dir. Ben Wheatley, feature) Edge of
Heaven (ITV) and many more.
Kristian Brodie
Head of Development: Agile Films
Kristian joined Agile Films in the summer of 2008 to oversee the
establishment of their feature film department. With responsibility
for Agile's £100,000 annual development fund, he has pulled
together a varied slate of feature film projects across all genres,
and established Agile's reputation for developing commercially
viable, yet culturally valuable projects from emerging writers and
directors. In 2014, he produced Agile's documentary feature,
'NEXT GOAL WINS'.
Steve Oram
Writer, Actor and Film Maker
Steve Oram is the co-writer and co-star of Sightseers, a dark
British comedy directed by Ben Wheatley, which won BIFA and
Critic’s Circle Awards for best screenplay as well as Empire’s Best
British Film Award. Steve is currently in post-production on his
next self-penned feature Aaaaaaaah!, a dystopian comedy in
which everyone in the cast speaks like monkeys. He is also soon
to be seen in three other feature films, The Greatest Englishman,
Altar and The Canal. Steve has a background in live comedy and
regularly performs his live show ‘Club Fantastico’ with comedy
partner Tom Meeten.
Jesse Cleverly
Creative Director: Wildseed Studios
Before co-founding Wildseed Studios, Jesse ran his own IP
development company called Connective Media and during this
time created shows with international partners, sold a film script
to Hollywood, and worked with major broadcasters and
producers all around the world to bring their projects to screens
big and small. Before Connective, Jesse was an award winning
creative executive at the BBC creating new work for youth
audiences and adults in digital, television and film.
Rebecca Papworth
Excutive Producer: BBC North
Rebecca started her career in Manchester working with Frank
Sidebottom, Charlie Chuck and Mark & Lard. She became the
first female Producer of Have I Got News For You, then set up Hat
Trick North.
An original Exec on The Gemma Factor, she then went to the BBC
as a Commissioning Executive for the nations and regions where
she oversaw shows including Rab C Nesbitt, The Old Guys, Gavin
& Stacey series 3, Lunch Monkeys, The Gemma Factor, Life Of
Riley and The Royle Family. She launched the first Salford Sitcom
Showcase in 2011 - which spawned Citizen Khan as well as
Hebburn.
Wednesday 29th October 2014
Event 1
12.30-13.30
Wildseed Studios: Creating Fearless New Comedy
Free
1 hour
An ‘in conversation’ session about creating fearless new comedy. Includes
information on current projects, what the market is like out there for new creators
and the Wildseed approach to creating content.
Ryan McDermott, co-creator / director, Staff Room
Adam Brown, co-creator / co-writer, Staff Room
Nicholas Bowe, creator, Peter’s Place
Featuring new videos from Nick Bowe's Peter's Place and the latest episode of
Staff Room.
Event 2
14.00-15.30
The Joy of Sketch - Workshop
£5/£3 concs.
90mins
Dave has written for loads of topical comedy shows including Dead Ringers, Have
I Got News For You, News Quiz and Spitting Image. His sketch-writing classes are
popular, fun and always packed out so book quickly as places are limited.
Event 3
16.00-17.00
How to Make A Living at Comedy
£5/£3concs.
1 hour including Q&A
Dave Cohen hosts a 1 hour session with guests including Justin Moorhouse,
comedy writer Danny Peak and Kate Haldane, an agent from PBJ Management.
The session includes how to 'break into' the business, stand-up, writing for standups, radio and the internet and much more!
Event 4
17.30-18.30
Script to Screen: Feature Films
£5/£3 concs.
1 hour including Q&A
Steve Oram will talk through his journey in the making of Sightseers, with Alice
Lowe, which he also stars in.
Other guests include Celine Coulson from Film 4 and Kristian Brodie from Agile
Films who will explain how they work with new and emerging comedy feature film
makers.
Event 5
19.30-
Shortlisted Film Screenings, live sketch comedy + Awards Ceremony!
£8/£6 concs.
When she has a minute, she writes and attempts to parent two
awesome daughters.
Henry Swindell
BBC Writersroom North
Henry is Development Producer for BBC Writersroom North
where he works across Film, TV and Radio finding and developing
writers for the BBC. Henry’s background is as a TV, Film and
Theatre Producer. His 2011 award winning film All That Way For
Love has been shown at film festivals all over the world.
Film programme 3 and 4 with live sketch and character comedy.
1 Day Pass: £20/£13 concs.
Followed by the awards ceremony hosted by Andrew Ryan.
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Stranger Danger
Dir: A.D. Cooper - Short film
A slick salesman tries to con an old lady.
Sock
Dir: Palle Nodeland - Short film
SOCK is a tense comedic thrill ride about the search for truth, justice, and
missing foot ware.
Dr Kirsty Fairclough-Isaacs
Associate Director-International, Music and Performance
Directorate: University of Salford
Kirsty teaches on the BA (Hons) Comedy Practices programme
at Salford and has lectured on comedy and film nationally and
internationally, most recently at The Second City, Chicago,
Humber College Toronto and Middle Tenneesee State University.
Kirsty has published numerous academic articles on comedy,
popular film, celebrity and feminism.
Matt Tiller
Director of Programmes: Channel X North
Matt develops and writes television comedy. He has produced or
executive produced several sitcoms for television including two
series of Hebburn for BBC Two, written by stand up Jason Cook,
two series of Lunch Monkeys for BBC Three and three Comedy
Labs for Channel 4. He is currently working on a pilot for BBC
Radio 4 and several projects in funded development with
broadcasters.
Vigilantes
Dir: Rob Reed - Sitcom Pilot:
Gem is mugged, Rose is burgled; enough's enough. It's time to take back the
streets!
New Girlfriend
Dir: Jamie Paul - Sketch
Jamie is excited to introduce his new girlfriend to his best friends. They're
excited but confused when they meet him.
Changing Rooms
Dir: Ed Kear - Sitcom Pilot
The story of Sunday league outfit Castle FC's last game of the season. Starring
Ewen MacIntosh.
Stupid Cute Talking Duck LOL
Dir: Henry Dalton & Paul Cope - Web Pilot:
Promises to make it into your Top 3 "Shows About A Duck That Comes From
The Future Who Now Lives With A Whale And A T-Rex And An English Muffin".
Soon to be an X Man
Dir: Larry Ketang - Sketch
A doctor deals with the fallout following a radiation explosion.
INTERVAL
COFILMIC Award Ceremony
Auditorium • 20.30
Short film and broadcast awards, presented by a selection of our finest judges
and hosted by Alex Boardman. A glittering affair with awards being presented
across the following categories:
Best Short Comedy Film • Best Sitcom Pilot • Best Comedy Sketch
Best New Comedy Performance • Picturehouse Pick
Comedy Central Industry Choice • Audience Vote: top 3 audience voted films
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Film Programme 1 and 2
Auditorium • 19.00
Shortlised comedy films, sitcom pilots & comedy sketches
with live comedy acts and 15 min interval.
Tuesday 28th October 2014
Event 1
14.00-15.00
Hosted by:
Event 2
15.00-16.00
Hosted by:
Event 3
16.30-17.30
Event 4
18.00-19.00
Event 5
19.30-
Moussaka
Dir: Hot Gulp (Hal Branson, Patrick Low & Sean McKenna) - Sketch
Guess who’s making dinner tonight?
Script to Screen: Sitcom Panel plus Q&A
£5/£3 concs.
1 hour
Discover the processes and people involved in developing a comedy script for
Television. Join Jon Mountague: Comedy Commissioner, Sky, Rebecca Papworth:
Executive Producer BBC North and other guests.
Henry Swindell from BBC Writersroom.
Live Sketchwriting Competition
Free
1 hour
From the Ideas Tap led sketchwriting competition, we have shortlisted 5 sketches
which will be performed live. Comedy industry judges, will give feedback on each
piece. 1 wild card sketch will be pulled from the hat to complete the showcase.
Slaughterhouse Live's Gary Morris
The winning sketch will be made into a short film, courtesy of Ideas Tap
Judges include Micheal Jacob, Rebecca Papworth, Jon Mountague and
Henry Swindell.
Comedy Improvisation Workshop hosted by University of Salford
1 hour
£5/£3 concs.
Explore and test funny ideas, create amazing new characters, come down and
play for an hour. A great networking opportunity and a chance to meet likeminded
people. Workshop facilitated by Brainne Edge, Lecturer University of Salford and
founder of the UK base of ComedySportz.
Salford University Comedy Showcase
Free
1 hour
University of Salford alumni take to the stage with an hour long showcase of
Sketch Comedy, Improv and Stand Up.
Shortlisted Film Screenings and live sketch comedy
£8/£6 concs.
Film programme 1 and 2 with live sketch and character comedy.
1 Day Pass: £15/£10 concs.
Entry to all daytime industry events and evening film screenings with live comedy.
Bouquet
Dir: Guen Murroni - Short film
Two mates, two coffees and a bouquet. Olly and Rashan show the world how
far a friend can go to get you laid.
Laundry
Dir: Anton Short - Short film
Most couples argue for time to time. Usually though, it's not about internal
organs.
Comedy Club
Dir: James Robinson, Paul Dhillon & Ciaran Danaher - Web Pilot
Lucy Laycock brings you the latest happenings from the world of comedy. What
a time to be alive!
Coming Out Clown
Dir: Stephen Pipe - Short film
There is no greater nightmare for a serious comedy loving family than to have
their only boy come out clown.
Beard
Dir: Phil Haine - Short film
One mans choice of facial hair opens up a Pandora's box of philosophical,
sartorial and sexual conundrums.
Monika
Dir: Mike Matthews - Short film
A pump-action comedy crime caper about a cheating femme fatale who rips off
her villainous husband and goes on the run!
INTERVAL