Balcony
Genre: Short
Written and Directed by Toby Fell-Holden
Produced by Ali Mansuri and Tom Kimberley
A Co-Production with Clipside Films, for Film London and the Gennaker Group
WINNER: Crystal Bear 'Best Short Film' Berlinale 2016, WINNER 'Best International Short Film' Flickerfest 2016. NOMINATED: Best Short Moet British Independent Film Awards
Official Selection: BFI London Film Festival, The London Short Film Festival, The Leeds International Film Festival, The UK Film Festival
Statement from the Berlin Jury:
"This film succeeds in astounding the viewer through its sophisticated dramaturgy. The story holds a mirror up to a society still plagued by persistent clichés, a mirror that in the end also forces the audience to face their own prejudices. Provocative and full of strong imagery, this production also manages at the same time to make our current challenges clear."
Starring: Charlotte Beaumont, Genevieve Dunne and Umit Ulgen
Synopsis
Tina, a troubled teenage girl, is drawn to Dana, an Afghani girl who is new on the estate. Tina tells us that she is oppressively victimised by her controlling substance-abusing father, Karim. Initially, we trust Tina and admire her protectiveness of Dana from the other kids at school, but as we watch their friendship blossom we come to suspect that something isn't right.
About the Director
Toby is a British writer-director based in London. He graduated from Columbia's Film MFA in 2013 and holds a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University. 'Little Shadow', his thesis film, was long listed for a Bafta and nominated by the Casting Society of America (CSA). He wrote the short 'Subordinate' which premiered at the BFI London Film Festival 2014. He has been awarded fellowships from the Moving Picture Institute and Academy of Motion Picture Arts Sciences. He was a Sundance Screenwriters Lab finalist. He is currently developing feature scripts with director Ramin Bahrani and producer Afolabi Kuti.