OSCAR SPOTLIGHT: Jamie O’Rourke’s Haunting Short CALF Uncovers Rural Silence and Resilience in the Face of Domestic Trauma

In Calf, Jamie O’Rourke crafts an intense and unsettling portrait of rural Irish life, shadowed by trauma and isolation. Following a sinister incident on a farm, young Cait must confront a horrific choice, mirroring the tragic weight of domestic abuse in an environment where secrets are kept and suffering is silenced. Through restrained storytelling, the film brings a striking depth to themes of grief and shock, … Continue reading OSCAR SPOTLIGHT: Jamie O’Rourke’s Haunting Short CALF Uncovers Rural Silence and Resilience in the Face of Domestic Trauma

OSCAR SPOTLIGHT REVIEW: With SUNFLOWER Balcerek crafts a moving narrative about the strength of the human spirit during one of history’s most tragic periods

Mateusz Balcerek’s Sunflower is a poignant and powerful World War II drama that captures the resilience of the human spirit under unimaginable circumstances. Set in war-torn Poland, the film tells the heart-wrenching story of a young Jewish girl hiding in a barn while Nazi soldiers search the surrounding area. Inspired by real events experienced by Balcerek’s grandmother, Sunflower is a gripping depiction of survival, fear, … Continue reading OSCAR SPOTLIGHT REVIEW: With SUNFLOWER Balcerek crafts a moving narrative about the strength of the human spirit during one of history’s most tragic periods

Barnaby Blackburn’s BAFTA-qualified short film Pylon is a gripping exploration of the reckless nature of young masculinity and the devastating impact it can have. Set in a haunting, isolated landscape dominated by a towering pylon, the film opens with a group of boys testing the limits of their bravado, but quickly spirals into a tale of guilt, trauma, and the horrific consequences of their carelessness. … Continue reading BAFTA SPOTLIGHT: Barnaby Blackburn’s BAFTA-qualified PYLON is a masterclass in how to use storytelling to deliver a powerful, unforgettable message

A few years ago, I came across an incredible profile on the Atlantic by journalist Ed Yong about a man who had devoted his entire life to taking care of the last surviving tree snail in Oahu named George. It led me to learning about all the Endlings in our history (which is the term coined to the last survivor of a species whose death … Continue reading OSCAR SPOTLIGHT: Interview with Kelly Yu director of the Oscar-qualifying ‘Endling’ of Indeed Rising Voices

I first heard about Tomo Buzov from a newspaper article published on the 20th anniversary of the Štrpci massacre. Stories of one person’s resistance against terror are always inspiring, but this one was so special that I felt it deserved to be made into a film. Firstly, because hardly anyone has heard of Tomo Buzov, and I believe his heroic act deserves to be remembered. … Continue reading OSCAR SPOTLIGHT: Interview with Nebojsa Slijepcevic director of the Oscar-qualifying ‘The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent’