Current Short Cuts: The Winning Films

The richness of the world and the power of the human spirit have shone through the huge number of entries to our Current Short Cuts competition. Settling on our final six films was incredibly hard.

Our winners show the diversity of outstanding talent that exists for short film-making, taking us from a street cleaner in Tel Aviv and an artist in Brazil to extraordinary insight at British protests and an 87-year old lady who defies the world with her joy for life.

This partnership with Vimeo has helped opened up new opportunities for filmmakers to share and celebrate their work and we hope it is just the start of a long relationship around Current Short Cuts.

The Winning Films

A Beginners Guide to 'Occupy' - A film by Liam Tate

http://vimeo.com/groups/currentshortcuts/videos/31489386

Filmed on the College Green at Bristol University, this short doc brings together a range of voices that talk about why they joined the Occupy movement.

This film about the Occupy movement stood out because of its directness and simplicity. It lets people talk straightforwardly about their perspectives on the international movement and from an Occupy Camp that has been all but ignored by the mainstream media.

Small Protests - A film by Zillah Bowes

http://vimeo.com/groups/currentshortcuts/videos/28474979

With nothing but a toothbrush in his back pocket, 19-year-old Rabbit decides to change the world one protest at a time.

Rather than a film about a particular issue this film took us into the life and mind of a serial protester in an intelligent and amusing way to give a portrait of what felt like a ‘Lost Rabbit’ on the search for a cause.

Daud’s Protest - A film by Mat Heywood

http://vimeo.com/groups/currentshortcuts/videos/32731518

This summer's tent protests in Tel Aviv, Israel, as seen through the eyes of Daud, a Sudanese street sweeper.

As the second film about the Occupy movement Daud’s Protest gives a unique perspective. Rather than hearing from the protesters we meet someone who finds himself inside the protest by circumstance, trying to make sense of it all. Beautifully shot and observed.

Revolutionary Roads (Rahayeh Enghelab) - A film by Crimson Black Ltd

http://vimeo.com/groups/currentshortcuts/videos/22817180

Filmed in a quiet corner of inner city London, this film shows a group of young Iranian Green Movement activists opposing a 'cultural' event, which they accuse of being a front for regime-sponsored propaganda in the UK.

It follows a small demonstration that holds huge risks for those involved and this charming film reveals the reality of such a protest with irresistibly subtle humour and a lightness of touch.

Wake - A film by Nick Fogg

http://vimeo.com/groups/currentshortcuts/videos/32838543

An 87-year-old lady's determination to live life to the full.  Extreme sports enthusiast Lis holds her own wake - whilst still very much alive – as she doesn’t want to miss out on the party.

A wonderful interpretation of the brief, Lis stood out as the ultimate revolutionary as she squares up to death and blows smoke in his face - this film is as refreshing and life-affirming as its subject.

Think BIG, Think small-scale (O Gigante do Papelão) -

A film by Bodhgaya Films

http://vimeo.com/groups/currentshortcuts/videos/32257876

Sergio Cezar is also known as “Cardboard Architect” who uses micro-trash to recreate facades, slums and whole cities. His work is an invitation for recycling the way we look at things.

The wisdom and humanity of someone from the other side of the world is respectfully translated by the filmmaker through this stunningly well-crafted film that reveals a character as delicate and awe-inspiring as his art.