Bill Vinten GTC University Awards 2017 Shortlist Films

This year's shortlist contained a more varied selection of films than any of the previous years' competitions. Drone work features in several of the submissions and the drama, Adrift, has some excellent underwater photography, demonstrating the range of skills graduates are now bringing to their university projects.

Documentaries

There is more documentary work in the Top 10: for example, Manambong Road was shot on location in the Philippines, while another was filmed nearer to home featuring the White family firm of gunmakers in their workshop. Another, Zero Meridian, explores drug addiction in Spain with some stunning visuals, while a fourth entry examines the two sides of Piotr, a cage-fighter who is also an artist.

Dramas

Dramas feature too, with The Fence drawing this comment from judge Colin Rogal: “It's probably the most complete drama entered, with a good script, some good acting, good direction. It asks interesting questions of the audience about preconceptions and morality.”

Another judge, Ali Moore, says of the drama A Place for Everything: “This film is very polished and very well produced. The camera work is really good and perfect for the script.” With the students having access to Ultra Primes and an ALEXA, Ali added: “Well done for not wasting the opportunity to use some of the best kit around.”

There’s a slow build-up to a murder in To The Bone; some great aerials and camera movement in Speyside; an interesting dance routine in Anemoi; while The Deserters uses different lighting throughout the day to enhance the look of the film from dawn to fireside scenes at night. 

There were 11 films shortlisted, coming from eight different universities and with two films scoring exactly the same number of points. The winners were announced at the Award presentation ceremony, sponsored by Vinten, held at the University of Portsmouth on Thursday 19 October.

The 2017 shortlisted films

A Place for Everything, Matthew Lewis (Portsmouth)

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Adrift, John Feuell (Portsmouth)

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Piotr, Tommy Reeday (UWE)

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The Fence, Adam Pickford (Wiltshire College)

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Zero Meridian, Alex Canovas Riverak (Kingston)

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TR White & Go Gunmakers, Matthew Jopling (Staffordshire)

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Manambong Road, Louise Thickett (Bournemouth)

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Anemoi, Olivia Norman-Reade (Ravensbourne)

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Speyside, James Sheridan-Vigor (Ravensbourne)

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To the Bone, Lawrence Good (Leeds Beckett)

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The Deserts, Cassandra Stone (Leeds Beckett)