The BFM UK Short Film Awards is by tradition, one of the highlights of the festival and in light of the event celebrating its’ 5th anniversary, this year’s ceremony will be no exception.

The Prince Charles Cinema in London’s Leicester Square provides the rather apt setting for an awards ceremony like no other, recognising the achievements of the UK’s best short filmmakers over the past 12 months. The Phone Call, Melvin: Portrait of a Player, University Challenge, Killing Time, Cheated Desire and finally Target. All awards are sponsored by industry organisations and judged by leading UK film professionals: Best screenplay, cinematography, male and female performance. The Best film category is decided by YOU the audience. All this plus a few other surprises, are guaranteed on the night ñ make sure you ‘re a part of it.

CHEATED DESIRE
Dir: Don Allen, 22 mins.

Michael lives in a stylish apartment with his beautiful, smart, witty girlfriend.  He is having a wild and passionate affair with a seductive woman.  He is tall, dark and handsome.  He believes he has it all. He will soon find out exactly what he doesn’t have...

KILLING TIME
Dir: Zadoc Nava, 8 mins.

After committing an unspecified act of violence a young prostitute, frightened and desperate, turns to her mini-cab drivers, for help.  A relaxed but cautious man he would like to help out but is concerned about the risks involved the ending is deliberately ambiguous and the audience can only speculate about the final outcome.
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MELVIN: PORTRAIT OF A PLAYER
Dir: Lawrence Coke,15 mins.

The Player is an entirely improvised spoof documentary based around a fictional character called Melvin Cartwright (player by Damian Carter).  Melvin believes that he is God’s gift to women, but in reality nothing could be further from the truth.  As the film progresses, a picture is slowly painted in Melvin as serial cheater with serious problems managing his finances.  The action also centres on Melvin’s twin brother Martin (played by his real-life twin brother Duane Carter)

TARGET
Dir: Dee Allen, 10 mins. With Wil Johnson.

This 10 minute short looks at the mysterious world of the professional assassin, as two long term friends meet for what will be their final hours together.
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THE PHONE CALL
Dir: Julius Amedume, 25 mins.

The Phone Call is about a young man called Quentin who is awoken one morning by a phone call from his old school friend called John.  John uses the remaining strengths of their long but faded friendship and he asks Quentin to do him a favour.  The film follows the repercussions of this favour. 

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE
Dir: Elias Bewketu, 18 mins.

Shot in West London, the aptly-named University Challenge is based on a true story and follows the trials and tribulations of a final year undergraduate who is under pressure to submit a vital dissertation paper. Along the way, our anti-hero must contend with his inner demons as well as his outer before his fate is decided. Using DV cinematography, the story is told using a hybrid of slapstick, silent movie & musical. And all this in less than 15 minutes!