Live Action Category

Live Action

A Desperate Teen Risks the Dangers of an Improvised Abortion in April Nations’ Unbearably Brutal Drama ‘Gilt’

April Nations explains why she chose not to shy away from the brutality of real life faced by many young women in her hard-hitting drama short 'Gilt'.

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Live Action

Awkward Encounters Abound in Emma Seligman’s Short to Feature Comedy of Chaos ‘Shiva Baby’

Emma Seligman describes the process of adapting her NYU thesis short into debut feature 'Shiva Baby', a comedic examination of colliding personas.

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Live Action

Oliver Goodrum’s ‘Iniquity’ Asks if Salvation Can Ever Exist for Perpetrators of Unconscionable Acts

Oliver Goodrum returns to discuss expanding the world of his viral, BAFTA shortlisted film 'This is Vanity' 7 years later with follow-up ‘Iniquity’.

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Live Action

Meredith Hama-Brown Acutely Captures the Loss of Innocence in Pre-Adolescent Drama ‘Broken Bunny’

Meredith Hama-Brown talks about balancing naturalist performances with a heightened aesthetic for 'Broken Bunny's' unsettling mood of moral ambiguity.

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Live Action, Premiere

Luca Spreafico Explores the Narrative Soul of a Fashion Film Through an Intense Therapy Session in ‘Alex’

Luca Spreafico explains his decision to incorporate dance in 'Alex' his experimental film which physically explores the lasting effects of childhood trauma.

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Awards, Live Action

A Young Girl Unwittingly Discovers the Underbelly of Lagos in Akinola Davies Jr’s Sundance-Winning Drama ‘Lizard’

Akinola Davies Jr reveals the challenges of shooting on-location in the intense Nigerian heat with 200 extras for his fantasy coming of age drama 'Lizard'.

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Live Action

Robert Broadhurst Challenges Racial Stereotyping in Subversive Drama Short ‘An Occurrence at Arverne’

Robert Broadhurst discusses provoking audiences to reflect on their reactions to his subversive drama short ‘An Occurrence at Arverne’.

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Eleusis

Live Action

Andzej Gavriss’ ‘Eleusis’ Plunges Ukrainian Pop Star Ivan Dorn into a Weird and Wonderful Rehab Facility

Andzej Gavriss details the meticulous storyboarding process which underpinned the creation of 'Eleusis' — a delicious, horror trip inspired by Greek myth.

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Leopard

Live Action, Premiere

James Arden Delicately Portrays Female Resistance Within a Hyper-Misogynist World in ‘Leopard’

James Arden walks DN through his use of careful framing and a 4:3 aspect ratio to create the claustrophobic atmosphere of his debut drama short 'Leopard'.

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I AM

Live Action

Jerry Hoffmann Points Toward a More Inclusive Sci-Fi Future in German Android Short ‘I AM’

Jerry Hoffmann talks to DN about putting Black woman front and centre of a science fiction story and creating uncanny robotic mannerisms in 'I AM'

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Live Action

A Lovesick Patient Enters Emotional Rehab in Elina Sahlin’s Surreal Drama ‘Department of Detachment’

Writer/Director Elina Sahlin discusses the Bergman-esque tone and dialogue she sought to evoke in her surreal love rehab drama 'Department of Detachment'.

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Live Action, Premiere

Jacob Halpren Effortlessly Balances Humour With Sadness in Beautifully Elusive Dramedy ‘Claire at Seven Months’

Jacob Halpren talks to DN about finding tonal balance, avoiding pregnancy film cliches and expanding his directorial scope in 'Claire at Seven Months'.

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