Movie mania as student films hit the big screen in Northampton

Hot on the heels of the BAFTAs, the University of Northampton’s annual 72-hour film festival productions graced the silver screen at the University’s Students’ Union at Avenue Campus.

The University of Northampton contest, which was open to students, graduates and the general public, challenged entrants to write, shoot and edit an entire short film within just 72 hours.

Award judge Daniel Oxer, Senior lecturer in Media Production, said: “72-hours is a tight turnaround to create a short film. The standard of the six films was very impressive. These crews have used every moment within those 72-hours and created something to be proud of.

“It shows great creativity to come up with a narrative that works, turn that into a script that flows, find a location, organise props, make-up and everything else that happens before you can even start to shoot a film, let alone edit this into its final form.”

The winning film, Lover’s Tiff, an action-comedy, created by University of Northampton students Omar Ait Ali, Daniel Brown, and Daniel Holloway, of a normal looking couple sitting down to dinner, but all is not as it seems. Cue comedy action rolls, well placed firearms and a pizza delivery guy with an agenda.

Student Daniel Holloway said: “The 72-hour Film festival was a challenge in itself, but throughout we had so much fun as a group. This year’s competition definitely tested the strength of our friendship and the stresses of such a short time restraint. But the opportunity of submitting a film into a competition and having a showing with your friends and peers makes all the drama worth it.

“It was absolutely amazing to win the Best Film award. We have done this three years in a row and have always wanted to grab the award for Best Film. It really gives you confidence going into the industry because you know your work is of a high standard and is universal amongst audiences.

“The 72 hour Film Competition has inspired me to enter even more film competitions and festivals as I now feel that I have the potential.

Films by the six crews who entered the competition were shown at the ceremony, to an audience of 45.

So if you like spooky goings on, an epic love story, or perhaps a thriller where all is not as it seems, these amateur films will be just up your street.

Viewer advisory, these films contain violence, strong language and scenes of an upsetting nature! Watch them here