NBCQ - The Joy of Six (CERT)

Director: NBCQ Starring: various 120 mins

NBCQ (New British Cinema Quarterly) depart from their usual formula of feature screenings to present a stunning selection of independent shorts, showcasing the best of up-and-coming British talent. The six shorts will feature the cream of British acting, drawn to the creativity that the short film form allows.

Full programme:

Long Distance Information Dir Douglas Hart/GB 2012/8 mins Set one Christmas Day, between East Kilbride and London, Long Distance Information is a black comedy that explores the strained relationship between a father and his 20 year old son.

Man in Fear Dir Will Jewell/GB 2012/11 mins A bloodied man walks into a police station wanting to be locked up. He tells the Policeman artists are trying to kill him. By accident… When the disbelieving Policeman sighs and asks him their motive, he cryptically replies “Art…”

A Gun for George Dir Matthew Holness/GB 2012/17 mins Still reeling from the loss of his older brother, a crime fiction author increasingly escapes into the fantasy world of his character – The Reprisalizer. Cult comedian Matthew Holness directs and stars in this flawless homage to 70s pulp films and fiction.

Scrubber Dir Romola Garria/GB 2012/21 mins Jenny is looking for escape. After being let down by a babysitter she decided to leave her daughter with a neighbour and walks into the surrounding countryside. Whilst waiting by the side of the road, she is picked up by a stranger and together they drive into woodland where she must choose between fantasy, escape and home.

The Ellington Kid Dir Dan Sully/GB 2012/5 mins In a typical South London kebab shop Nathan tells Beefy a story. It’s a story he’s heard about the Ellington kid, who got stabbed and found refuge in the very kebab shop they are sitting in.

Friend Request Pending Dir Chris Foggin/GB 2012/12 mins Friend Request Pending is a short comedy drama about the mature generation dating in our modern social networking world. Mary and Linda spend an afternoon discussing the pleasures, pitfalls and problems with using social networking to try and woo the local choirmaster Trevor.