Joe Bateman // Director 

Joe originally joined the Soho Shorts team as Festival Director in  2007. He started as a stage manager for musical festivals in the UK progressing to theatre projects with the Kennedy Arts Centre, Washington DC and with Arts Scape and the Baxter Theatre, Cape Town.

He joined City Screen in 1997 transferring to Curzon Cinemas in 1999 developing the role of Head of Special Programming and Private Events. In 2004 Joe moved to The Hospital Club, Covent Garden, responsible for developing the film and event programme, settling at Rushes in 2007.

He has over 16 years experience in film festivals and programming/adjudicating on many panels for film festivals, funding bodies and creative initiatives including the Best Of Boroughs, Fuji Film Short Film Competition, Kodak Short Film Competition, British Animation Awards, Blackberry Women In Technology Awards, Babelgum Online Film Festival, Audi Reel Talent Awards, Think Sync Film Competition, Smirnoff Experience Reel Talent Awards, Aesthetica Magazine Film Competition, Reed.co.uk Short Film Awards, Ideas Tap and London Awards for Art & Performance.

Contact Joe here: joe.bateman@me.com

LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/joebateman (if linking pls say where you are from)

Thom Trigger // Producer 

Deeply knowledgeable about all things short, Thom originally came to the team as a Festival Producer via a masters from King’s College and experience gained throughout the industry. He previously managed flagship City Screen cinema The Ritzy and has a range of experience in production working on everything from micro budget shorts to Harry Potter.

He continues to produce his own and others work, programme short film events and judge on short film panels for other festivals and organisations such as BAFTA. Thom is also PR & Marketing Manager for Rushes.

Contact Thom here: thom.trigger@rushes.co.uk

LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/thomtrigger (if linking pls say where you are from)

Fred Rowson // Producer

Fred Rowson is a filmmaker. He graduated from Cambridge University in 2010, and alongside producing events, he directs and produces films and videos, as well as writing about movies and moviemaking in his spare time. He thrives on stress.

Contact Fred here:  fred.rowson@gmail.com

LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/FredRowson (if linking pls say where you are from)

Dana Knight // Editorial Contrributor

Dana has a BA degree in English and French Literature, an MA in  Translations and Interpreting, a diploma in Nutritional Medicine, a PG Dip in Homotoxicology and Bio-regulatory Medicine and is about to add another one to her extended portofolio (insert self-irony) next year when she graduates with a BA in FILM & MEDIA from Birkbeck, University of London. Of all her activities and interests, she is most passionate about film: she wrote two feature scripts, several shorts and is currently involved in getting off the ground her first documentary project about “the molecule of creativity and the banker who quit his job to become an artist”. Only, she’s yet to find him…

When she is not wrapped up in books in a library or away travelling, she can be found at Rushes helping the festival team with PR, research and Social Media.

Contact Dana here: dana.knight@rushes.co.uk

Silvia Puglielli // Soho Shorts Co-ordinator

With a great passion for films of every format and length, always in search of something interesting to watch whether going around for festivals or simply being at home, Silvia comes to the festival almost by chance but is ready to deeply involve herself in the organization. She graduated from La Sapienza University in Rome in 2003 with a Masters degree in Science of Communication. Worked for many years in the organization of independent film festivals, especially promoting the works of young directors. Freelance journalist for Italian newspapers and magazines. Moved to London three years ago in search of new experiences to grow professionally.

Contact Silvia here: silvia.puglielli@rushes.co.uk