Film: Something special

There were almost four billion viewings of feature films on television in the UK last year. It’s an astonishing figure – even more startling when compared to the number of films seen in the cinema, which is 22 times fewer.

If you know of a great film that needs to find an audience, then I’m your girl! Through the weeks of producing FilmFest on 8 for Latest TV I have seen some very interesting and varied films. They have come to me in a variety of ways; some filmmakers approach the channel, others have been encouraged by friends, occasionally another producer will forward me something great that fits my show better than theirs … two even read my column and sent things along (that’s jessica@thelatest.tv!)

Although I do enjoy a good email – well, as much as any dyslexic can – I adore the chance discovery or adventitious encounter that leads to a phenomenal addition to the FilmFest archive.

This week on FilmFest we’re showing a brilliant array of short films, one of which I found in the most delightful of ways: over a fabulous fish platter. This may be a film column but I should like to take a moment to laude the absolutely delicious and marvelously well-presented array of fishy delicacies on offer at Betty La La’s; handily, the restaurant is also just up the road from our TV studio.

Being as I have some rather annoying food allergies I often have to ask chefs for something special … but never before have I received an array of brilliant animated shorts in return!

Herve Rebolj, creator of the extraordinary fish platter, also creates award-winning stop motion films. We will be showing his ‘puppet music video’ for ‘Love Is Here To Stay’ by Chungking, Sights On You, made using software from the ‘70s with music by Lee Baker, and Easy Going, a BT and getoutthere.com animation winner.

We will also be showing: Golem from the exciting TwoBit Productions, Eric Woods’ Fat Ali and The Guest and Euan MacDonald’s Running On Empty, starring Lucy Moses. Tune in on Sunday night at 9pm to catch some incredible films.

Other incredible films this week come courtesy of PostFeature’s weekly trips to the Odeon. This week we will be covering Fury, the World War Two epic staring Brad Pitt and directed by David Ayer (who has a history of dealing well with big action films), and Nightcrawler with Jake Gyllenhaal, which looks to be just the most hair-raising movie out this year. Tune in on Wednesday at 6.30pm or catch the repeats throughout the week to see just how creeped out one girl can be!