EIFF 2011: The Long (Shorts) Weekend

A bold emphasis is placed on short film at EIFF 2011, with the three day Nokia Shorts Weekender, 24-26 June, promising to be Scotland’s largest jamboree of the medium.

As well as a host of screenings to investigate, a wide range of events cater for filmmakers interested in the shorts format, from people looking to create their first short films – Frogs and Sloths: How to be an Internet Sensation – to those who are already producing and want to get involved in a spot of networking – BAFTA and Shooting People: Short Sighted.

Considering that the Shorts Weekender is intended to be a celebration of the form, it’s perhaps slightly odd that the standout happening, Masterclass with Chris Shepherd, is all about making the leap from short film to features, but this will surely be an unmissable event for aspiring directors.

Another tip to get the creative juices flowing is Vimeo in Residence, presenting a selection of creative work from the cyber community. Those familiar with the video sharing website know they can expect a gripping variety of films exhibiting some fantastically innovative techniques.

If you weren’t already aware of Vimeo and are about to jump online to have a look, it’d also be worth casting your eye over the final submissions for the Nokia Shorts 2011 competition. Eight filmmakers were awarded a $5000 production budget to get their pitches on screen and all films will be premiered at EIFF 2011, with the winning entry receiving $10,000 cash – good luck spending that in the Filmhouse bar.

Other highlights of the shorts programme include hallucinatory road trips in Adventures Close to Home, a cake eating hippo in Family Shorts, the altogether more serious and compelling Animated Realities, and a selection of short films by great Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin entitled Anatomy of Melancholy. Time to book Friday 24 June off work for a Shorts Weekender bender.