Canon Europe and Steve McQueen’s scripted indie Lammas Park have joined to fund two up and coming film-makers to complete short film projects that tackle contemporary issues.
The films, directed by Jade Ang Jackman and Samona Olanipekun (both from the Lammas Park talent roster), tackle important issues across gender, identity, and conformity. Jackman’s period drama, written by Lydia Rynne, features a spectrum of acting talent including Aliyah Odoffin, Alfie Allen, and Ayesha Hussain. Casting by Charlotte Chapman.
Meanwhile, Olanipekun’s portrayal of contemporary male identity, written by Dan Braham, showcases talent from the black community. It stars Samuel Adewunmi and Jonathan Ajayi, with casting by Coralie Rose at Road Casting. Helen Dulay and Nat Baring produced the films with Lammas Park.
Sir Steve McQueen, founder, Lammas Park comments: “Developing new talent in this industry is incredibly important and the creatives we’ve been able to nurture in this project have been brilliant. They’re talented, passionate and Canon has given them the chance to work with great equipment. Work like this is absolutely essential for the next generation of filmmakers.”
About her film, Jade Ang Jackman comments: “I’ve always been interested in the relationship between women and violence. Instead of exploring women only as victims, what motivates them to be perpetrators? The Suffragette movement was a poignant moment in British history where rights had to be fought for as they wouldn’t have been given. It has been amazing to craft a story around this whilst also elevating voices not traditionally seen within the period drama or action space. Our film became even more pertinent with the recent overturning of Roe v Wade in the United States and Policing Bill in the United Kingdom curtailing our right to protest peacefully.”
Reflecting on the partnership and project, film director Samona Olanipekun said: “The relationships that we have with ourselves are complex and nuanced. The film is told through the lens of a young black man, yet the story can be relatable to all viewers. It’s a theme and topic which really fascinates me, especially having the chance to explore it with such a talented group of people, both in front of and behind the lens, which has been a real pleasure. I’ve learnt so much about myself working with all the different collaborators, I’m really grateful that everybody involved brought their all to the project.”
The two short films (10-15 minutes in length) captured by cinematographers Fabian Wagner (BSC ASC) and Korsshan Schlauer, use Canon Cinema EOS cameras, lenses and monitors on-set.
Aron Randhawa, European product marketing specialist, Canon Europe comments: “Our partnership with Lammas Park is an opportunity for Canon to support and directly engage with talented up-and-coming filmmakers in the industry. Our ambition is that this collaboration will help pave the way to removing barriers filmmakers face in the early stages of their career and expand on diverse cultural representation in the industry. These opportunities will open the door for future filmmakers, giving them direct access to kit, expertise and funding that otherwise would be a challenge to source. We feel the partnership’s real potential and impact comes from unleashing the creativity of a new generation of storytellers.”
The short films are due to hit the festival circuit next year with the ambition to change how brands interact within the narrative filmmaking space.
Pippa Considine
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