James (2008 film)
| James | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Connor Clements |
| Produced by | Connor Clements |
| Written by | Connor Clements |
| Starring |
Niall Wright Matt Jennings Margaret Goodman Gerry Doherty Louis Rolston |
| Music by | Kasia Middleton |
| Cinematography | Declan Keeney |
| Edited by | Kevin McDonald |
Release date |
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Running time | 17 minutes |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Language | English |
James is a 2008 Northern Irish coming-of-age short film. The film marks the directorial debut of Connor Clements and stars Niall Wright as James, a teenage boy attempting to come to terms with his burgeoning homosexuality.
Plot summary
James (Niall Wright) is a withdrawn and secretive teenager, coming from a family with long-buried secrets. With no friends and a refusal to confide with his parents (Margaret Goodman and Gerry Doherty), he faces an inner battle as he comes to terms with his sexuality. His literature teacher, Mr. Sutherland (Matt Jennings), is his sole beacon of hope, believing that he may understand the trouble he faces. However, in his moment of need, Sutherland, concerned by the risks involved, fails to provide James with the support he needs. Devoid of hope, he makes an audacious decision to turn to seemingly the last person who can help, an old man (Louis Rolston) that he meets in the public toilets.[1][2]
Reception
The film won Best Northern Irish Short at the Belfast Film Festival, the Iris Prize for Best UK Short, and Best International Short at the St. Louis International Film Festival in 2008. In January, it beat 6,000 other entries to be one of 22 short films that was selected for the International Dramatic Competition at Sundance Film Festival. It was also part of the Sundance iTunes 10/10.[3]
Awards
- April 2008 Best Northern Irish Film, Belfast Film Festival 2008
- July 2008 2nd Place, Best First Irish Short, Galway Film Fleadh 2008
- August 2008 Best Short Gaze Dublin International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2008
- August 2008 Jury Award Best Student Short Palm Springs Shortfest 2008
- August 2008 2nd Place Best Student Cinematography Palm Springs Shortfest 2008
- October 2008 Iris Prize Festival Best UK Short 2008
- October 2008 Outlook Award Best LGBT Short Film 53rd Corona Cork Film Festival
- October 2008 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Award of Merit
- November 2008 Best International Short 17th Annual Saint Louis International Film Festival
- April 2009 Bronze Palm Award, Mexico International Film Festival
- May 2009 Best Foreign Film, NYC Downtown Short Film Festival
Festival Screenings
- April 2008 Best Northern Irish Film, Belfast Film Festival 2008
- July 2008 2nd Place, Best First Irish Short, Galway Film Fleadh 2008
- August 2008 Best Short Gaze Dublin International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2008
- August 2008 Jury Award Best Student Short Palm Springs Shortfest 2008
- August 2008 2nd Place Best Student Cinematography Palm Springs Shortfest 2008
- October 2008 Iris Prize Festival Best UK Short 2008
- October 2008 Outlook Award Best LGBT Short Film 53rd Corona Cork Film Festival
- October 2008 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Award of Merit
- October 2008 Irish Film Festival of Los Angeles
- October 2008 NYC Downtown Short Film Festival Audience Choice Screening
- October 2008 Clones Film Festival
- November 2008 Kerry Film Festival
- November 2008 Best International Short 17th Annual Saint Louis International Film Festival
- November 2008 Radar Hamburg International Independent Film Festival
- November 2008 Cork Design Week
- November 2008 Outburst Queer Arts Festival Belfast
- January 2009 Sundance Film Festival
- February 2009 The Victoria Film Festival
- February 2009 The 11th Annual San Francisco Independent Film Festival
- February 2009 Cinequest Film Festival San Jose
- February 2009 Sydney Mardi Gras Film Festival
- February 2009 Iris Prize Double Bill at Chapters, Cardiff
- March 2009 Honolulu International Film Festival
- March 2009 Cordoba International Gay/Lesbian Festival for AudioVisual Art
- March 2009 Bermuda International Film Festival
- March 2009 Tampere International Short Film Festival
- March 2009 Cinema St Louis International Film Festival QFest
- March/April 2009 Philadelphia Cinefest
- April 2009 Torino International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
- April 2009 The Method Fest, Calabasas