Cutting Loose took the Flickerfest Award for Best Documentary on Sunday night on the warm sands of Bondi Beach, Australia.
Rosie Crerar, Program Manager said: “The jury felt the film was outstanding, and reached a unanimous decision very quickly tonight”
The Flickerfest Film Festival is held during the summer on the glorious sands of Bondi Beach, Australia. Now in it’s 21st year the film festival is the only competitive short film festival in Australia. In 2003 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science elected to recognise Flickererfest as a qualifying festival for the Best Short Film and Best Animation categories of the Academy® Awards. In 2010, Flickerfest was also recognised by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), making films from the UK that won at Flickerfest, eligible for a BAFTA nomination. They are the only short film festival in Australia with BAFTA and Academy® accredited status.
Directors Adrian McDowall and Finlay Pretsell said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be given the award for Best Documentary Film at Flickerfest. What a great way to start the film’s festival circuit! This is a fantastic achievement to get to this point. The film was such a challenge to make at every step of the way – the award goes to everyone who worked tirelessly on the film to get it finished and of course the generous help of the Scottish Prison Service and the prisoners that opened up their lives and allowed us to tell this story”.
Sonja Henrici, Head of Development at Scottish Documentary Institute said: “It’s exciting to see the continued success of proven short film talent with a 30’ documentary this time. SDI has been delighted to be part of the team.”
The film was screened on BBC2 in November and screened yesterday at London Short Film Festival. The film was produced by Imagine Pictures and DigiCult and funded by Creative Scotland, UK Film Council and BBC Scotland.
Leslie Finlay of Creative Scotland said: “Creative Scotland is delighted that Cutting Loose has won a major prize at this prestigious film festival. It celebrates the depth of documentary talent being invested and supported by Creative Scotland across Scotland.”
Congratulations Adrian, Finlay and everyone involved. I can’t wait to see it!
Great news! Very rarely, if ever, has a documentary got so close to the real lives those in prison. An ambitious and daring project enhanced by tight edgy music. I particularly liked the sequences where the music imitated the sound of scissors woven into the action. Well done to Adrian and the team. The Academy and BAFTA should be equally unanimous – this is a brilliant piece of social comment.
great film wee had the best laugh making it an if it wasnt for BIG FERGIE (officer) we wouldnt have been able to make it the guy is mans man tough but fair..thanks to them all