Osprey Short Film Awards 2022

Saturday 2nd March 2pm, Theatre By The Lake
FREE ENTRY

What are the Ospreys?

Each year at the festival we celebrate local film making by showing a selection of short films. A panel of judges select the very best of these films and reward the talented film makers the prestigious Osprey awards. At the screening the audience also vote for their favourite film to win the Audience Award.

“I feel it's very important for those of us who are established in films to make sure that we put ourselves out to encourage the next link in the chain. It's not difficult to put oneself out and it was greatly enjoyable watching their films and sharing their pleasure at the awards.”
John Hurt, 2012

Osprey Short Film Awards 2024

The judging panel have selected a shortlist of 9 films which will be screened at the Theatre by the Lake on Saturday 2nd March. All of the films have a connection to Cumbria, whether that be on screen or behind the camera.

Whilst the main prize will be determined by the judges, all those who come get the chance to vote for their favourite short film, which will receive the Audience Award.

The event is free and there is no need to book tickets, you can just turn up on the day and enjoy the films.

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Official Selection 2024

Judges and Audience Award Winner

Wishbone
Karen Bird & Kerry Kolbe (9 mins 58 secs)

Step into the heart of Barrow-in-Furness with 'Wishbone', a film which tells the story of a local lass whose life and aspirations unfold against the backdrop of Duke Street. Drawing from a rich tapestry of local Barrovians' memories, this film by Signal Film and Media truly captures the essence of community, dreams, and the indomitable spirit of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

Student Award Winner

Misjudged
Signal Starters - Chanel, Flynn, Tyler, Laila, Isla, Charlie U, Arthur, Alex, Charlie I, Faith & Harry (5 mins 39 secs)

Dive into the whimsical world of 'Misjudged,' a charming film that unfolds when an unlikely pair, a seagull and a tentacled sea-witch, come together to share tales of hasty judgments. Crafted by the creative minds of first-time filmmakers aged 8-11 at Signal Starters, part of Signal Film & Media and supported by Children in Need.

Other Shortlisted Films

On Borrowed Time
N. Andrew Elliot (6 mins 3 secs)

'On Borrowed Time' is an exploration of time and survival, written and directed by Nicholas Andrew Elliot. Set just 11 hours before the end of The Great War, the film follows British soldier Edward, who grapples with his fear of not surviving to witness the armistice

Body Language
Naomi Frost (1 min 34 secs)

This short experimental film explores the intriguing world of non-verbal communication, delving into the nuances of body language with a set of figures. 'Body Language' was produced by students at Carlisle College.

Discordia
Laurence Campbell (8 mins 56 secs)

A non-representational documentary film written and directed by Laurence Campbell. Viewed from the perspective of an untethered water spirit returned from the sea, 'Discordia' follows the drifting ghost as she travels silently east to west across the north of England, from Whitby to the Cumbrian coast. Expanses of snow and monolithic figures are observed throughout, as the spirit passes between viewer and object, hiding and obscuring all documented images. Carried by the tide, the track Lotus by Svitlana Nianio & Tom James Scott (from their recent album Eye of the Sea) drifts over the images and becomes a focal point of the film.

Safe Bet
Ewan Pollitt (3 mins 52 secs)

Written and directed by Ewan Pollitt, who grew up just down the road in Cockermouth, 'Safe Bet' follows an eager young actor who goes for an audition at his local theatre. Things however, are not quite what they seem…

Red Needle
Dom Bush and Simon Sylvester (6 mins 35 secs)

Ultra-runner Sarah Gerrish lost one ovary to cancer at 15 and the second to surgery at 36, plunging her directly into surgical menopause and a bewildering world of HRT, brain fog and loneliness. Directed by Dom Bush and Simon Sylvester and made in Cumbria, 'Red Needle' explores the stigma, trauma and lessons learned from Sarah's life-changing experience.

Our Charlie
Natalia Lewis (10 mins)

Explore the eerie depths of rural England in 'Our Charlie,' a short film by Natalia Lewis. Adam, a frightened young man with a secret, returns to his countryside roots and is forced to confront the haunting world he's been trying to escape. Amidst an idyllic landscape, directors Natalia Lewis and Lexie Ward weave a suspenseful narrative centred around the complex relationships between Charlie, his twin brother Adam, and the land itself.

Contains some strong language

Grit
Any Road Productions (7 mins 33 secs)

Delve into a Guy Ritchie-esque world of crime in 'GRIT,' where a low-level gangster's theft of drug money sparks a relentless pursuit by a high-ranking crime boss. Produced by students at Carlisle College, this Any Road Productions film was shot entirely in Cumbria, featuring a local cast and crew.

Contains strong language throughout


Filmmakers Network

As well as showcasing great short films we also hope the Ospreys will provide opportunities for film makers to meet each other and possibly collaborate on future projects. We have created a group on Facebook called the Osprey Filmmakers Network which we invite you to join if you have entered or film in the past of are thinking of doing so in the future, or perhaps you'd like to get involved in some other way.

Osprey Filmmakers Network: http://bit.ly/OspreysNet

Partners & Sponsors

The Osprey Short Film Awards at Keswick Film Festival proudly accepts entries via FilmFreeway.com, the world's best online submission platform. FilmFreeway offers free HD online screeners, unlimited video storage, digital press kits, and more.

If you'd like to sponsor the Osprey Short Film Awards or supply any prizes then please contact us.




Staying in Keswick for the Festival?

Keswick Film Festival has joined forces with Sally's Cottages, an award-winning holiday cottage company run by people that love the Lake District and Cumbria, with an office just across the road from our beloved Alhambra Cinema.

Over 260 beautiful holiday cottages in and around Keswick.

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All programme and film details are correct at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.