"Man is not of fixed and enduring form. He is an experiment and a transition." Hermann Hesse, The Steppenwolf
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"NIGHT BURNS LIKE CIGARETTES" (71', 2022, UK), written, directed & produced by Elisabeth Felson, narrated by Lily Cole, Cinematographer Mate Herbai, singer / composer Kwaye.
Shot at night under urban lighting, narrated by Lily Cole, "Night Burns Like Cigarettes" questions the way we consume the night as if it were nothing but cigarettes. As we have taken the habit of over-consuming, so have we taken the habit of over-lighting our cities for reasons that may not be acceptable. "Night Burns Like Cigarettes" is a testimony of love for the night, threatened by disappearance. The night makes us human and allows us to question the boundaries of the self. Meanwhile, our fear of darkness and of the unknown haunts our socio-political history -old story. Hence, the night is being arrested in the mural by Banksy that sits in the Barbican tunnel. British-Zimbabwean singer Kwaye reclaims our right to darkness via an enchanting dance performance. "Night Burns Like Cigarettes" is a nocturnal ballad in a dreamt London, better appreciated eyes open.
4 AWARDS
10 NOMINATIONS
17 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
SMALL KINGDOM
(AKA CALL FOR A POETIC CITY)
(Documentary, 43', 2021)
WRITTEN, DIRECTED & PRODUCED BY ELISABETH FELSON
SYNOPSIS: Poetic is Political. Horse-riding in a large city centre isn't a touristic endeavor, it has a life-changing impact at the community level. Let us learn kindness!
(Music by Jonny Greenwood, Archives British Pathe)
PREMIERES
World premiere: Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2021
International Premiere: International New York Film Festival 2021
South American Premiere: International Documentary Film Festival of Buenos Aires, 2021
UK Premiere: Lift-Off London 2021
AWARDS
Best Direction (Bristol Independent Film Festival, 2021)
Indie Spirit Award (Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema, 2021)
Audience Award (Lift-Off Global Network, London)
Best Debut Director (Global India International Film Festival, 2022)
NOMINATIONS
Best Documentary (Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema, 2021)
Best Direction in Documentary (Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema, 2021)
Mary Austin Excellence In Directing / Documentary (Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema, 2021)
Mary Austin Excellence in Producing / Documentary (Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema, 2021)
Best Cinematography (North Europe International Film Festival, 2021)
Best Direction / Documentary (North Europe Int Film Festival, 2021)
Best Music (International Sound & Film Music Festival, 2021)
Best Documentary (Beyond the Curve Int Film Fest, Finalist)
Best Documentary (Midnight Soul Film Festival, 2021)
Best Cinematography (Midnight Soul Film Festival, 2021)
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Visions du Reel (Media Library) 2020
Melbourne International Documentary Film Festival 2021
International New York Film Festival 2021
Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema
Bristol independent Film festival 2021
London Lift-Off Film Festival 2020
Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival 2021
FIDBA, International Documentary Film Festival, Buenos Aires, 2021
Festi France Brasil (Festival du Film Francophone) 2021
International Sound & Film Music Festival, 2021
Cinema e Ambiente Avezzano 2021
North Europe International Film Festival (London) 2021
Beyond the Curve Film Festival 2020 Paris
Festival Angaelica 2021
Midnight Soul Film Festival, Sweden, 2021
Global India International Film Festival, 2022
New Delhi Film Festival, 2022