A child discusses her new toy video camera she received for Christmas; leading her to create and explain the characters and plot of an intricate story for a film.
A Film By Abigail was in the official selection of London Short Film Festival screening at ICA London and a San Diego Comic-Con selected film in "Best of Fest". It has been seen by audiences around the world in festivals for short, documentary, art, student and children's films. It was used educationally within the art curriculum at The Epiphany School (Manhattan, New York, USA) and screened at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Its World Premiere was as the opening film for a "Short Film Showcase" at BAFTA. Curated by London Short Film Festival and introduced by its director Philip Ilson, the film opened the "London Shorts Special" at the 25. Internationales FilmFest Emden-Norderney (Germany) which presented current British short films with tea, jam and scones for the German audience! A Film By Abigail screened into 2016 selected and award nominated in Russia, India, USA and Israel.
A Film By Abigail was in the official selection of London Short Film Festival screening at ICA London and a San Diego Comic-Con selected film in "Best of Fest". It has been seen by audiences around the world in festivals for short, documentary, art, student and children's films. It was used educationally within the art curriculum at The Epiphany School (Manhattan, New York, USA) and screened at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Its World Premiere was as the opening film for a "Short Film Showcase" at BAFTA. Curated by London Short Film Festival and introduced by its director Philip Ilson, the film opened the "London Shorts Special" at the 25. Internationales FilmFest Emden-Norderney (Germany) which presented current British short films with tea, jam and scones for the German audience! A Film By Abigail screened into 2016 selected and award nominated in Russia, India, USA and Israel.
|
|
|
|
Festival Highlights
London Short Film Festival / Nominated Best Low-Budget Short Award & Official Selection (Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, UK) [LSFF article]
Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival at (Los Angeles County Museum of Art, USA)
Tirana International Film Festival / Nominated Best Short Documentary Award (Tirana, Albania)
San Diego Comic-Con - San Diego International Children's Film Festival / "Best of Fest" Official Selection (USA)
Epiphany Children's Film Festival / Out of Competition Art Curriculum Inclusion (Epiphany School, New York City, USA)
Sleepwalkers International Student & Short Film Festival / Nominated Best Student Film Award (Tallinn,Estonia)
International Kinodot Minimalist Film Festival / Nominated Audience Award & Jury Award (St. Petersburg, Russia)
London Short Film Festival / Nominated Best Low-Budget Short Award & Official Selection (Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, UK) [LSFF article]
Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival at (Los Angeles County Museum of Art, USA)
Tirana International Film Festival / Nominated Best Short Documentary Award (Tirana, Albania)
San Diego Comic-Con - San Diego International Children's Film Festival / "Best of Fest" Official Selection (USA)
Epiphany Children's Film Festival / Out of Competition Art Curriculum Inclusion (Epiphany School, New York City, USA)
Sleepwalkers International Student & Short Film Festival / Nominated Best Student Film Award (Tallinn,Estonia)
International Kinodot Minimalist Film Festival / Nominated Audience Award & Jury Award (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Full Festival Achievements
2012 WORLD PREMIERE BAFTA Short Film Showcase / Opening Film (Princess Anne Theatre / London, UK)
2017 Exploding Cinema / Official Selection (The Horse Hospital, London, UK)
2017 12 Months Film Festival / Documentary Award 2nd Prize (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
2016 Chinh India Kids Film Festival / Official Selection (New Delhi, India)
2016 Tea Break Film Festival / Official Selection (BBC / Hull, UK)
2016 Near Nazareth Film Festival / Nominated Best Short Documentary Award (Nazareth, Israel)
2016 International Kinodot Minimalist Film Festival / Nominated Audience Award & Jury Award (St. Petersburg, Russia)
2015 Blackbird International Film Festival / Out of Competition (Cortland, NY, USA)
2015 Tirana International Film Festival / Nominated Best Short Documentary Award (Tirana, Albania)
2015 East Anglian Student Film Festival / Nominated Best Short Documentary Award (Ipswich, UK)
2015 Qabila Film Festival / Nominated Best Short Documentary Award (American University in Cairo, Egypt)
2015 Summer Cinema / Official Selection (Surface Gallery in Nottingham, UK)
2015 Sahar International Short Film Festival / Youth groups screening (Oldham, UK)
2015 Videofocus Biennial Edition / 10-Page Magazine Feature, Interview & Images (Online; France, Germany & Italy) Read Article
2015 New Orleans International Children's Film Festival / Closing Film of Programme (via invitation at New Orleans Public Library, USA)
2014 Doc Lounge Aarhus / Doc Lounge Family / Shared For Online Competition (Aarhus, Denmark)
2014 Trispace Shorts / Official Selection (Trispace Gallery in London, UK)
2014 San Diego Comic-Con - San Diego International Children's Film Festival / "Best of Fest" Official Selection (USA) Exclusively Announced by Travelling Man
2014 Vortex Cinema Club / Official Selection (Doopo Doopo Art Gallery & Boutique, London, UK)
2014 25. Internationales FilmFest Emden-Norderney / Opening Film of 'London Shorts Special' presented by London Short Film Festival director Philip Ilson (Emden, Germany)
2014 WonderCon Anaheim International Children's Film Festival / Official Selection (Anaheim Convention Centre, USA)
2014 Bradford International Film Festival / Screening + Q&A at Filmmakers' Weekend at National Media Museum at Bradford, UK)
2014 London Short Film Festival / Nominated Best Low-Budget Short Award & Official Selection (Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, UK) Read Article
2013 Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival at (Los Angeles County Museum of Art, USA)
2013 This Is England - English Short Film Festival of Rouen / Nominated Special Prize of RNC (Rouen, France)
2013 DocFilm Festival / Official Selection (Phoenix Art Cinema in Leicester, UK)
2013 The Short Cinema Film Festival / Opening FIlm (Phoenix Art Cinema in Leicester, UK)
2013 RATMA International Film Festival / 2nd Place Documentary Award (Keighley, UK)
2013 Elysion Shorts - Short Film Showcase / Official Selection (Manchester, UK)
2013 Eat My Short Shorts III / Official Selection (High Wycombe, UK)
2012 Sleepwalkers International Student & Short Film Festival / Nominated Best Student Film Award (Tallinn,Estonia)
2013 Royston Arts Festival / Official Selection (Royston, UK)
2013 Bradford Festival / Outdoor Event Screening (Bradford, UK)
2013 Epiphany Children's Film Festival / Out of Competition Art Curriculum Inclusion (Epiphany School in New York City, USA)
2012 Bradford International Film Festival / Preview Screening at Filmmakers' Weekend (National Media Museum in Bradford, UK)
2012 WORLD PREMIERE BAFTA Short Film Showcase / Opening Film (Princess Anne Theatre / London, UK)
2017 Exploding Cinema / Official Selection (The Horse Hospital, London, UK)
2017 12 Months Film Festival / Documentary Award 2nd Prize (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
2016 Chinh India Kids Film Festival / Official Selection (New Delhi, India)
2016 Tea Break Film Festival / Official Selection (BBC / Hull, UK)
2016 Near Nazareth Film Festival / Nominated Best Short Documentary Award (Nazareth, Israel)
2016 International Kinodot Minimalist Film Festival / Nominated Audience Award & Jury Award (St. Petersburg, Russia)
2015 Blackbird International Film Festival / Out of Competition (Cortland, NY, USA)
2015 Tirana International Film Festival / Nominated Best Short Documentary Award (Tirana, Albania)
2015 East Anglian Student Film Festival / Nominated Best Short Documentary Award (Ipswich, UK)
2015 Qabila Film Festival / Nominated Best Short Documentary Award (American University in Cairo, Egypt)
2015 Summer Cinema / Official Selection (Surface Gallery in Nottingham, UK)
2015 Sahar International Short Film Festival / Youth groups screening (Oldham, UK)
2015 Videofocus Biennial Edition / 10-Page Magazine Feature, Interview & Images (Online; France, Germany & Italy) Read Article
2015 New Orleans International Children's Film Festival / Closing Film of Programme (via invitation at New Orleans Public Library, USA)
2014 Doc Lounge Aarhus / Doc Lounge Family / Shared For Online Competition (Aarhus, Denmark)
2014 Trispace Shorts / Official Selection (Trispace Gallery in London, UK)
2014 San Diego Comic-Con - San Diego International Children's Film Festival / "Best of Fest" Official Selection (USA) Exclusively Announced by Travelling Man
2014 Vortex Cinema Club / Official Selection (Doopo Doopo Art Gallery & Boutique, London, UK)
2014 25. Internationales FilmFest Emden-Norderney / Opening Film of 'London Shorts Special' presented by London Short Film Festival director Philip Ilson (Emden, Germany)
2014 WonderCon Anaheim International Children's Film Festival / Official Selection (Anaheim Convention Centre, USA)
2014 Bradford International Film Festival / Screening + Q&A at Filmmakers' Weekend at National Media Museum at Bradford, UK)
2014 London Short Film Festival / Nominated Best Low-Budget Short Award & Official Selection (Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, UK) Read Article
2013 Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival at (Los Angeles County Museum of Art, USA)
2013 This Is England - English Short Film Festival of Rouen / Nominated Special Prize of RNC (Rouen, France)
2013 DocFilm Festival / Official Selection (Phoenix Art Cinema in Leicester, UK)
2013 The Short Cinema Film Festival / Opening FIlm (Phoenix Art Cinema in Leicester, UK)
2013 RATMA International Film Festival / 2nd Place Documentary Award (Keighley, UK)
2013 Elysion Shorts - Short Film Showcase / Official Selection (Manchester, UK)
2013 Eat My Short Shorts III / Official Selection (High Wycombe, UK)
2012 Sleepwalkers International Student & Short Film Festival / Nominated Best Student Film Award (Tallinn,Estonia)
2013 Royston Arts Festival / Official Selection (Royston, UK)
2013 Bradford Festival / Outdoor Event Screening (Bradford, UK)
2013 Epiphany Children's Film Festival / Out of Competition Art Curriculum Inclusion (Epiphany School in New York City, USA)
2012 Bradford International Film Festival / Preview Screening at Filmmakers' Weekend (National Media Museum in Bradford, UK)
A FILM BY ABIGAIL CAN BE FOUND ON THE BRITISH COUNCIL DATABASE HERE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IMAGES FROM FESTIVALS/SCREENINGS |
Made with £0 budget (well, maybe the cost of a tape!). Created as a film for the Filmmakers' MA course at the Northern Film School [LMU] within a module encouraging experimentation in any genre. Exploring the nature of auterism, writing and storytelling through the eyes of Abigail - we see the difficulty of articulation to others and an innocent single voice behind an optimistic piece of work. The trusted collaboration between filmmaker and subject (brother and sister) opens up an uninhibited mind striving to create and ultimately share that creation.
The film came from myself and Abigail often drawing together on paper, discussing ideas and I was always amazed at the vividness of her characters or stories she'd come up with. So much so that I wanted to attempt to find a way to film it, but I was very unsure if it would work or what I was personally observing would come across on camera. I also knew that the potential for failure was high, Abigail could understandably be shy and adverse to being filmed. Luckily this wasn't the case and she not only reacted well to my questions or prompting through giving her a relaxing environment (the baby lamp, thick pens, pad etc.) but she expressed more than I'd ever encountered previously, resulting in the film that exists today.
I'm amazed at the success it's had with being such a small film. You work for FOREVER on a film developing, writing, conversations, production and arduous editing; then a film like this racks up screenings/festivals with no budget or particular aim in it's creation. To think that it's been screened at what you might consider the pinnacle of British film BAFTA, that it's a part of a New York City school's art curriculum on current international cinema, that it was counted as one of fourteen of the best student films from film schools worldwide at the Sleepwalkers Film Festival in Tallinn and now it has the chance at winning an award in (for me the heartland of cinema) France. It even beat a New York Film Festival film to become official Runner-Up & Nominee at the RATMA International Film Festival in the Documentary Category.
It feels crazy and unexpected to gain accolades and little accomplishments with this short explorative piece. I bought Abigail a comic book of Adventure Time (her current favourite TV show) to say thank you and she now is plotting a sequel - 'Another Film By Abigail'. We'll see...
The film came from myself and Abigail often drawing together on paper, discussing ideas and I was always amazed at the vividness of her characters or stories she'd come up with. So much so that I wanted to attempt to find a way to film it, but I was very unsure if it would work or what I was personally observing would come across on camera. I also knew that the potential for failure was high, Abigail could understandably be shy and adverse to being filmed. Luckily this wasn't the case and she not only reacted well to my questions or prompting through giving her a relaxing environment (the baby lamp, thick pens, pad etc.) but she expressed more than I'd ever encountered previously, resulting in the film that exists today.
I'm amazed at the success it's had with being such a small film. You work for FOREVER on a film developing, writing, conversations, production and arduous editing; then a film like this racks up screenings/festivals with no budget or particular aim in it's creation. To think that it's been screened at what you might consider the pinnacle of British film BAFTA, that it's a part of a New York City school's art curriculum on current international cinema, that it was counted as one of fourteen of the best student films from film schools worldwide at the Sleepwalkers Film Festival in Tallinn and now it has the chance at winning an award in (for me the heartland of cinema) France. It even beat a New York Film Festival film to become official Runner-Up & Nominee at the RATMA International Film Festival in the Documentary Category.
It feels crazy and unexpected to gain accolades and little accomplishments with this short explorative piece. I bought Abigail a comic book of Adventure Time (her current favourite TV show) to say thank you and she now is plotting a sequel - 'Another Film By Abigail'. We'll see...
DETAILS
Short Documentary
RELEASED
2012
IMAGE
Colour / PAL
DURATION
5 mins.
LANGUAGE
English
SUBTITLES
None
ORIGINAL ASPECT RATIO
4:3
RELEASED
2012
IMAGE
Colour / PAL
DURATION
5 mins.
LANGUAGE
English
SUBTITLES
None
ORIGINAL ASPECT RATIO
4:3
CREDITS
DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, CINEMATOGRAPHER, EDITOR & SOUND
Paul Vernon
ABIGAIL
Abigail (as herself)
Paul Vernon
ABIGAIL
Abigail (as herself)