Andrew Brand - Writer & Director

01.04.12

Thought i'd do a quick update on the progress of my new short film 'Something for Nothing'.

The last week or so me and Tim Wright at Bruizer have been working hard on the edit and I think we are pretty much there. We are now getting ready for the sound design which hopefully will start in the next week or so.

I have also create a 'Something for Nothing' film page which you can see here.

15.03.12

I've shot a new film. Hurrah!!

Over the last three weeks, me, my super producer Zorana Piggott, my production designer Eileen Aldous and the guys at Bruizer have been manically trying to organise the shoot for my new short film 'Something for Nothing'.

It all came about like any good idea... in a pub. Andy Parsons and I were having a drink in the NFT bar when I mentioned how i'd like to shoot a really short, short film and how it would be fun to build and shoot it in a studio. Andy in true Andy Parsons style said 'Ive got a load of set walls at Bruizer we could use you know?'
A week later Zorana and I were in a room auditioning over 20 young actors picked by the fantastic casting director Katy Moylan.
After seeing some fantastic actors we finally went with Kieron Mulhall, a talented 18 year old actor from London.

Then came the next big task; designing and building a set from scratch in two and a half days with only 4 people.
On the first day it was pretty relaxed. We got up the main walls including building in windows and doorways and Eileen and I even went looking around a fantastic salvage yard for wonderful 70's furniture.

The final day of the build though was a bit more intense. We managed in 1 day to wallpaper all the walls, painted them, lay a floor, put skirting board on, build and kitchen and dress the whole set. It was like 60min makeovers without the team and annoying presenter. But somehow we did it. A set built in in 2 days!!

The next day I was aching all over but there was no way I was letting that spoil the excitment of shooting a film. Before I knew it I was in the studio at Bruizer surrounded by a talented film crew (and mates) who'd given up their Sunday so generously to shoot a film on a RED Epic with a full grip kit. What could be better?

It's moments like this that make me love short filmmaking more than ever. Everyone on the crew turn up because they simply love making films. It certainly wasnt for the money as there wasn't any! God my grip for the day Ian Ogden drove all the way down from Birmingham to Suffolk just to help out. How great is that?

Anyhow it all went amazingly well and in 10 hours we had shot the whole film. Now we just have to edit it. Happy days!!

14.03.12

You might have noticed that i've not updated my website for some time now and the reason is very simple. BT are the biggest incompetent company i've ever had the misfortune to deal with.

At first it always feels exciting moving into a new flat doesn't it? But the reality of it soon brings you down to earth with a bump when you realise how much shit you accumilated over the years and all the stuff you have to sort out like bloody internet.

Anyhow I won't bore you with the details I'll just update you all about the exciting stuff thats happened so far this year.

'Where There's Smoke' has been going great guns at the festivals this year. On the 7th of January it screened at the Curzon Soho on Shaftesbury Avenue as part of the 'New Shorts 3: Fucked Up Love' programme at London Short Film Festival. It was an amazing screening with the cinema being packed to the rafters with punters to watch a strong programme of short films about break ups; hateful lovers; sham relationships, and unbridled lust. So after this very sad and sometimes depressing screening I found this article a week later to put a smile back on my face. The lovely peeps at 'View of the Arts' wrote this lovely review of London Short Film Festival and gave a nice mention to my film.
If you'd like to read the article you can find it here.

After LSFF 'Where There's Smoke' got invited to screen at two wonderful film festivals. Showroom Shorts in Sheffield and Salon des Refusés in London.

This brings us up to March with 'Where There's Smoke' screening right now in competition at the Academy Award accredited Bermuda Iinternational Film Festival and 16th Sofia International Film Festival. Ill let you know how it gets on at these festivals in the next couple of weeks.

22.12.11

Christmas has come early it seems!

I'm pleased to announce that my film 'Where There's Smoke' has been selected for competition at the British Shorts Film Festival, Berlin in January.

The festival runs from the 12th - 16th January 2012 with my film screening on the 13th January @ 8pm - Sputnik 1 - Sputnik Kino.

For the full online schedule click here.

Happy Christmas everyone. See you in 2012

11.12.11

I'm pleased to announce that my film 'Where There's Smoke' has been selected by the lovely people at the London Short Film Festival.

My film will be screening as part of the 'New Shorts 3: Fucked Up Love' programme, on Saturday 7th January, 2012 at 12:00 at the Curzon Soho.

Tickets are available on the Curzon Soho websit e or by calling the cinema box office on 0330 500 1331.

Hope to see you there.

14.11.11

Now that the jet lag has finally subsided I thought I’d write a little piece about my trip to Seoul for the Asiana International Short Film Festival.

Over the years I’ve been to many film festivals around the world but I'd find it hard to recall another film festival that is as welcoming, friendly and generous as the guys at Asiana International Film Festival.
If flying me all the way to Seoul and putting me up in a hotel wasn't enough, I was met at the airport by Soobin; my designated helper for my time in Seoul. After 10 minutes in her company it was clear I was going to be well looked after.

All the festival staff were as wonderful as Soobin and treated us humble filmmakers like royalty, supplying us with lots of amazing Korean food and drink including the morish Soji (Korean Vodka) which we all got a taste for. It was not long before us filmmakers were all stumbling back to our hotel at 4am most nights.

One thing that really struck me about Asiana Film Festival was how well organised and promoted it was. Both the screenings of my film
'Where There's Smoke' were packed out and the Q&A sessions after were, much to my relief, a lot of fun. Don't know what I was worried about!

The audience were incredibly passionate and engaged in every films and had well considered and sometime funny questions about the films. My particular favourite was being asked 'whether I found it hard acting as well directing in my film'. Brilliant! According to some I look a lot like my lead actor Lee Sellers. Who knew!

As well as attending my screenings I got to see countless other short films during my stay. It's really hard to pin point what my favourite film was so here are some of my highlights from the screenings I attended.
'The Factory' by Aly Muritiba, Blue Rinse by Matt Leigh, God View by Billy Lumby, the touching documentary 'Promise' by Jero Yun and 'Too Die By Your Side' by Spike Jonze.

I can't say enough good things about this festival and the people I met in Seoul. It's a beautiful festival, run by beautiful people in a beautiful city. I really hope I get to chance to return next year.... all I have to do is shoot another film.

20.10.11

I'm incredibly happy to announce that 'Where There's Smoke' will get it's Asian Premiere this November at the Asiana International Short Film Festival in Seoul.

I'm informed it will screen twice at the festival. Once on Friday 4th November @ 21:00 and again on Monday 7th November @ 11:00.

The full programme in on their website for anyone interested in seeing who else is screening.

13.10.11

I'm happy to announce that 'Where There's Smoke' has been selected to screen at the Thess International Short Film Festival in Greece.

I feel particularly honoured to have been selected for this festival.
Due to the financial crisis in Greece at the moment I know the festival has been hit pretty hard causing them to have to cut back on the amount of films they screen. This year they are only able to screen 30 international short film from over 600 entries so i'm very happy I made the final selection.

The festival runs from the 19th - 22nd October.

10.10.11

Just a tiny statistical fact about 'Where There's Smoke' recent screenings at the Shnit International Short Film Festival.

After screening in 6 different countries (Switzerland, Austria, South Africa, Costa Rica, Germany and Singapore) it seems it got seen by huge amount of cinema goers. Over 37,000 spectators around the world attended the festivals this year (20,000 in Bern alone).

02.10.11

It is with deep sadness that I have to write these words today.

Last week my dear friend Andy Seston past away after losing his brave fight with Cancer. Andy worked as a Makeup Artist on several of my films over the years and was someone I'm proud to say became my good friend.

I am honoured to have known him for as long as I did and I know my life is richer for meeting him. He was a warm and funny man and will be missed but never forgotten. My thoughts go out to Susie and his family.

01.10.11

Another Shnit International Short Film Festival update for anyone who might be attending the festivals this year.

'Where There's Smoke' is screening in the following countries at the following dates and times:

Berne, Switzerland
Shnit Open 4 International Programme
Thursday 6th October @ 21:00
Saturday 8th October @ 18:00

Cape Town, South Africa
Shnit Open 4 International Programme
Friday 7th October @ 18:00

Cologne, Germany
Shnit Open 4 International Programme
Thursday 6th October @ 21:00
Saturday 8th October @ 15:00

San Jose, Costa Rica
Shnit Open 4 International Programme
Saturday 8th October @ 15:00

Singapore, Republic of Singapore
Shnit Open 4 International Programme
Saturday 8th October @ 16:00

Vienna, Austria
Shnit Open 4 International Programme
Friday 7th October @ 15:00
Saturday 8th October @ 15:00

19.09.11

More festival news and updates for my new short 'Where There's Smoke'.

First of all 'Where There's Smoke' is screening in competition at the Shnit International Short Film Festival in a couple of weeks. It's part of the 'Shnit OPEN 4' International Competition and will screen multiple times between 6th October & 8th October in 6 different countries. I'm still in two minds whether to go over for the festival but if I do i'll let you know how I got on.

Second of all, and much closer to home, 'Where There's Smoke' will be screening this Thursday (22nd Sept) at the 31st Cambridge Film Festival.
It's part of the 'EM Media Digital Shorts 1' program which is a selection of shorts from filmmakers from the East of England that capture the drama, love and relationships that can make and break us.
To buy tickets for this screening please click here.

Well thats it for now. There is some more exciting festival news to come but I'll have to tell you about that when it's offcially announced.

27.08.11

What a nice surprise on a bank holiday weekend. Just found out that 'Where There's Smoke' is screening at the 31st Cambridge Film Festival.

It's part of a selection of shorts from filmmakers from the East of England that capture the drama, love and relationships that can make and break us.

The EM-Media Digital Shorts programme will be screening on 22nd September at 3:15pm.

To see the festival brochure click here.

14.08.11

I've never felt the need, or seen the point in cutting a trailer for a short film, but more and more festivals seem to ask for one so I thought I'd better put something together to fulfill their needs. So here it is... I'll warn you now it's short!

11.08.11

I couldn't be happier to announce that ‘Where There’s Smoke’ will be screening at the Branchage Film Festival in Jersey.

'Where There’s Smoke' will be screening as part of the 'Family Affairs' program on 23rd September 2011 @ 4pm.

This is one festival that has got the balance right between short film screening, interesting filmmaker talks and workshops and art. I couldnt be more chuffed to have got into this festival again.

26.07.11

My short 'Things We Leave Behind' has had a good stint on the festival circuit now so I feel its about time I made it available to watch on my website. Hope you enjoy it and let me know your thoughts.

07.07.11

Where There’s Smoke’ just won Best Cinematography at the Montecatini Film and Video Festival in Italy.

27.06.11

I’m please to announce that ‘Where There’s Smoke’ with be screening at the Montecatini Film and Video Festival in Italy.

It’s screening as part of the 'Short in Love' program on Thursday 7th July 2011.

In other news (in my best BBC broadcasting voice) I have recently got back from my regular trip to Hamburg Short Film Festival with good friend Simon Ellis.
It’s always an amazing festival but for me this year has to be the best one by far. Not even having to salad dodge due to E-Coli could spoil this trip.

After so many years of attending the festival (this being my 6th and Simon 10th), Simon and I feel like part of the Hamburg Film Festival’s extended family. It’s like going to the best week long party you could even hope for with some of your greatest friends and a whole load of new ones. What more could you ask for?

But Hamburg isn’t all about the partying. In between the 5 days of 13 hour drinking session in the festival club and 35ml bar (a 3 hour, free drinking session of spirits brought by visiting filmmaking from their home country) we saw some great films. My favourites included 'Star Dust' by Nicolas Provost, fantastic stop frame animation 'Tord and Tord' by Niki Lindroth von Bahr, 'Baby' by festival regular Daniel Mulloy and 'Las Palmas' by Johannes Nyholm which won the audience award.

Anyhow that’s all for now, only 340 odd days till the next one!

15.06.11

I'm happy to announce that my film ‘Where There’s Smoke’ will have its World Premiere at the very prestigious Palm Springs International Shortfest, USA.

The film festival runs from the 21 – 27 June 2011 with my film screening on the 25th June, 1pm at the Camelot Theatres. It will screen as part of the 'Two is Too Much' program.

Full schedule can be found here.