Festival Team
Joe Bateman // Festival Director 
Joe is the festival programmer, curator and artistic director. 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.
Thom Trigger // Festival Producer 
Deeply knowledgeable about all things short, Thom comes to the festival team 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 Postproduction Ltd.
Fred Rowson // Event Producer
Fred Rowson is a screenwriter and producer of short films. He graduated from Cambridge University in 2010, and writes freelance film reviews and articles for various blogs and magazines in his spare time. He thrives on stress, and is therefore currently looking for more films to produce, of any length.
Amélie Thille // Festival Producer
Amélie Thille graduated with a Masters degree in Arts and Culture in 2008 and specialized in events management. After working for a couple of French Festivals, she moved to London where she was the Assistant Producer of the Raindance Film Festival for two years. She is now looking for more new ventures to get involved in.
Jack Trewin // Festival Coordinator
Jack Trewin joined the festival team in October 2011 having just finished his A-Levels in Ancient Greek, Fine Art and Latin. He has some experience in film production, has worked on student films and hopes to be involved in the industry after university.
Rob Leather // Events Co-ordinator
Rob began his career in the film industry with Apollo Cinemas, working with the company managing their flagship site in London’s West End taking charge of marketing, events and PR for 9 years.
Graduating in 2009 with a degree in Interior Architecture he has progressed using his skills designing and building sets for independent and short films. He has assisted in organising many film festivals including Raindance and built many working relationships with UK film distributors including 20th Century Fox, Universal, Momentum, Disney and Paramount.
robertleather@designarmy.co.uk
Vik Patel // Festival Marketing
Vik Patel graduated from King’s College London in 2010. He has experience within film distribution and production. He cites his inability to say no as the reason for much of his experience.
Rosa Vaquero // Orbital London PR & Marketing
Rosa has international experience in journalism, PR and marketing. She currently works for Film London, promoting film-making and cinema culture in the capital, and has contributed to a variety of film festivals and initiatives including the SuperShorts Film Festival and the Mayor of London’s London Film Day.
