Crowdfunding Spotlight // The Cross

Kickstarter Update!
The Cross met their target and was fully funded

“The Cross is a tragic love story based on folklore that is concerned with the manifestations of oppression. It’s the winter of 1529. A nun and a monk have fallen in love.”

Siobhan and her producer Emily are currently raising money for their epic short film THE CROSS on Kickstarter. re:VAULT chats to director Siobhan about the concept and crowdfunding

The concept for The Cross sounds really intriguing, can you tell me more?
It’s about fantasy, freedom, love and sex!

What films and filmmakers have influenced ‘The Cross’?
It’s not so much about what other filmmakers have influenced the film but about real experiences and real people. I don’t feel it should be about replicating someone else’s work, that just creates formulae. It should be about what feels right. As Alice Guy Blache says ‘Be Natural’.  Make films from an honest place and an audience will get behind it. Also, it will leave you feeling far more satisfied with your work regardless of whether it’s ‘good’ or not.

You’re currently raising money on Kickstarter to fund the film, why crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is the start of the future. It offers a new way of thinking about film. People say crowdfunding is on the way out, that doesn’t matter. It’s the fact that things are being discussed. When a system is old, stale and unequal then they have to and will change at some point. What’s important is talking about the change even if things go wrong along the way.

I was really interested in the concept  and plot for this film. Making a low budget period film must be really tight where money is concerned, is this what most of the money raised will go towards?
Yes, EVERYTHING will go towards recreating medieval Yorkshire. Props, costumes, locations -material things. We’re working on such a tight budget that we can’t pay the crew much at all. That’s the thing that sucks a little about doing things this way. On the plus side it encourages creativity. Everyone involved is doing so because they believe in it creatively. I think in times of economic hardship people become more creative because it’s either that or nothing and nothing is way too depressing.

Thanks Siobhan

To find our more about THE CROSS visit their Kickstarter page here
Twitter | @TheCrossFilm
Facebook | /TheCrossFilmUK
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Grolsch Film Works Launches “The Shorts Series”

Grolsch Film Works Launches “The Shorts Series” With David Altobelli’s Short Film Directorial Debut

‘Independence’ is the first in a series of commissioned pieces released as part of The Shorts Series presented by Grolsch FilmWorks for 2013. Returning after a successful inaugural year, Grolsch Film Works has deepened its commitment to the world of film, commissioning the making of a number of short films from emerging international industry talent.

Altobelli is a noted music video director and member of The Directors Guild, having previously worked with the likes of Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman, Karen O and HEALTH. Director of photography Larkin Seiple joins him on ‘Independence’ with a roster of work including videos for Rihanna and Bon Iver.

Moving over to the new medium of short film, ‘Independence’ follows Trent, a young man with a troubled family life, who meets a mysterious companion at the remote diner he finds himself in after his car breaks down in a town, called Dependence.

“The film plays out like a song on the piano in front of us, transporting us somewhere unknown and then returning to a familiar place.” David Altobelli, Director. To watch Independence click here

Aspiring Film Makers Can Enter “The Shorts Showcase” And Be Nominated At The 2014 San Francisco International Film Festival

In addition to releasing further commissioned short films over the next year, Grolsch Film Works is also hosting a worldwide open submission film competition – The Shorts Showcase presented by Grolsch Film Works –  to offer a platform for grassroots talent. Prizes for winners include the chance to be nominated on behalf of Grolsch Film Works at the 2014 San Francisco International Film Festival and promotion on GrolschFilmWorks.com.

Selections are judged by an esteemed jury of industry experts including Ted Hope, Executive Director, San Francisco International Film Society; Jane Schoettle, International Programmer, Toronto International Film Festival; and Eddy Moretti, Chief Creative Officer at Vice Media.

The Shorts Showcase competition is ongoing; entrants can visit GrolchFilmWorks.com for more information and to see the first winning film from Yulia Nowicz.