WHIRLYGIG CINEMA’S SPOTLIGHTS: CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Whirlygig Cinema is looking for filmmakers to take part in Spotlights, a monthly short film night in
East London that showcases emerging filmmaking talent. Applications can be made online at
whirlygigcinema.com/submit and the closing date is Friday 30th May.

Spotlights was launched in April 2012 as a bi-monthly event and has so far given over fifty
filmmakers the chance to present work. It became a monthly event in April last year when it moved
to take up residency at Hackney Attic, part of Hackney Picturehouse, and now occurs on the first
Wednesday of every month.

At each event three filmmakers are given half an hour slots to present a retrospective of their work.
They are asked to screen and discuss a range of short films, and then take part in a Q&A at the
end of the night. The project creates a regular meeting place and networking opportunity for
filmmakers and film fans.

Selected applicants will take over one third of the bill for their designated event, and have the
valuable opportunity to screen and discuss a half-hour long body of work in public. They will also
gain experience of talking about their work to a live audience.

Each event is themed around a specific genre, from drama and documentary through to comedy,
animation and artist video. The idea is to offer a more specialised insight for audiences and give
filmmakers the chance to meet other creatives working within the same genre, providing a platform
on which to share advice and spark collaboration.

Philip Ilson, Director of London Short Film Festival, said, “Spotlights is one of the shining lights on
London’s short film scene, showcasing the work of up & coming directors. These are the names
you’ll be hearing a lot more from in the future, and you can see them at Spotlights first.”

Tim Grabham, a filmmaker who participated in August 2013, said, “Being part of Spotlights was
one of those rare and valuable opportunities where I could present a body of work as well as
myself as a filmmaker to an audience. It really helps to stand up in front of a room and expose your
inner workings and experience peoples’ reactions face-to-face”.

Application criteria: Filmmakers must have enough work to fill a 30-minute slot during which they
can present films and/or film clips and discuss their work. They should be comfortable with public
speaking and able to talk about their work confidently and concisely. If selected, all filmmakers
MUST attend their allocated event, which is assigned according to the filmmakers’ availability.
Since Spotlights is based in East London we strongly recommend filmmakers to be London-based,
or be in a position to travel to London for the duration of their designated event.

Hackney Attic, Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, London, E8 1HE.