Embargoed: Immediate Release 

Winner announced for first ever UK female film competition on gender violence

Tuesday 11 December 2018: Modern Films and UK SAYS NO MORE, a national campaign to end domestic abuse and sexual violence facilitated by charity Hestia, have announced ‘Circle’ as winning film of the ‘16 Days 16 Films’ competition. The competition was open to female filmmakers to produce short narratives that portrayed gender based violence in the world of work. The winning film, directed by Jayisha Patel, was chosen as the winner from over 89 submissions by an expert panel including;

• Lyndsey Dearlove, UK SAYS NO MORE
• Eve Gabereau, Managing Director Modern films
• Clare Anyiam-Osigwe, Co-Director of BUFF, BUFF Originals & On Point Communications, Writer, Director, Actor
• Lolita Chakrabarti, Actor, Writer
• Tessa Collinson, Film & Event Producer
• Ginta Gelvan, Communications Director, Modern Films
• Akua Gyamfi, Founder & MD, British Black List
• Donna Peberdy, Academic and Senior Lecturer Film & TV, Solent University
• Anna Smith, Journalist, Broadcaster, Film Critic, 'Girls on Film' podcast on iTunes
• Elise Valmorbida, Author, Producer

The winner will receive the opportunity to direct the new UK SAYS NO MORE PSA and along with runner up entries, ‘Everybody’s Business’ directed by Miranda Stern and ‘Silence’ directed by Fiona Compton, will receive a cash bursary.

In the UK 75% of those experiencing domestic abuse are targeted at their place of work with   30% of domestic homicides occur on workplace grounds yet only 12% of people will tell a manager or colleague at work.

Jury Member, Anna Smith commented:

“Watching the 16 films reminded me just how vital and relevant this campaign is. These creative filmmakers told the heartbreakingly authentic stories of women and men who have been expected to put up with routine abuse. No more. I was also impressed by how many of the filmmakers managed to approach this challenging subject with humour and visually unusual concepts. I’m especially pleased to be supporting this project as my new podcast, Girls On Film, is committed to giving voice to female filmmakers and critics.”

Johanna von Fischer, Audience Development & Impact Campaigns at Modern Films said:

“Modern Films aims to be part of the solution when it comes to gender inequality. Creating a platform where female filmmakers are encouraged to use their voices to engage in such a crucial cause is both exciting and important to us. We believe a competition that offers a working opportunity to a new or emerging filmmaker, might help give her the profile to take next steps and further develop her career.”

Lyndsey Dearlove, Head of UK Says NO MORE at Hestia said:

“We created this annual competition to celebrate the vital role that filmmakers and the industry plays in creating the societal narrative towards domestic abuse and sexual violence. These filmmakers have explored these issues with honesty and integrity and each film provides an opportunity for the viewer to understand the impact of abuse and violence, on both the victim and their children.” 

 

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