UK Film Network

Ctrl.Alt.Shift launched a competition in 2008 inviting aspiring filmmakers to write a treatment based around one of three global issues – War + Peace, Gender + Power and HIV + Stigma.

Those who won would be given the opportunity to bring their treatment to life on the big screen. In addition to being provided with a budget and cast, the prize included the money-can't-buy opportunity to be mentored by some of the UK's finest directors such as Aoife McArdle, Chris Harding from Shynola, Kinga Burza, Paul Andrew Williams and Jim Threapleton.

The result of these partnerships is five brilliant, engaging shorts which premiered on 14th May at Shoreditch Studios, East London and were shown as part of the Raindance Film Festival last week.

Now you can watch them from the comfort of your own PC!

HIV – The Musical
Written and Directed by: Joe Patrick and Tim Woodall
Mentor: Paul Andrew Williams

The main aim of Patrick and Woodall's film is to expose the ridiculous attitudes towards HIV. A series of video blogs posted by a young playwright, James McKenzie (played by Martin Freeman from The Office), whose artistic integrity is being challenged by the ignorance of a film company determined to hijack his script, represented by a producer played by Julian Barratt (The Mighty Boosh).

1000 Voices
Writer and Director: Tim Travers Hawkins
Mentor: Chris Harding (Shynola)

A verbose and politically correct bureaucrat (Adam Buxton) gives a lecture to a group of teenagers on the merits of the UK's efficient and humane asylum system, whilst meanwhile, in the same building, detainees, imprisoned indefinitely in different 'Removal Centres' across the UK, leave messages in vain on an abandoned telephone answering machine in the ministry basement. Their messages detail the horror of the life that they have escaped due to conflict.

Man Made
Writer and Director: Fern Berresford
Mentor: Kinga Burza

This two-minute short, based around gender + power, tackles the treatment of women as property and the lack of self worth and identity women feel due to the gender inequalities prevalent in many societies.

No Way Through
Written and Directed by: Alexandra Monro + Sheila Menon
Mentor: Jim Threapleton

No Way Through highlights mobility restrictions imposed in the West Bank, that are limiting its habitants’ access to health care, thus violating a fundamental human right.

War School
Writer and Director: Ben Newman
Mentor: Aoife McArdle

Opting for a short based around war + peace, Ben Newman came up with one of the most popular entries, gaining praise across the board by re-creating a military training camp for child soldiers in a British school. It was described by Riz Ahmed as a great idea, simple, communicating a direct message.

We'd really love any feedback you have on the films!

(I'm the community manager for Ctrl.Alt.Shift and I got permission from Doug McFarlane before posting this.)