Gorilla Film Magazine at Kino London

Last night Gorilla Film Magazine went along to Kino London, the open-mic night for filmmakers that encourages creative collaboration and supports short film production. None of the films that are screened are pre-selected, so everyone gets a chance to show their film regardless of quality, which might go some way to explain how we managed to get Ways of Using Gorilla screened. The night was held at the Vibe Bar, on Brick Lane, and the venue was packed, full to burst. Being the shameless, capitalistic Gorillas that we are, we took the opportunity to plug our merchandise, and managed to sell ONE Gorilla T-shirt! We were so proud of ourselves, and we’re that little bit closer to printing issue 4!

Incidentally, if you’d like an exclusive GFM T-shirt, visit our website shop

We all had a lot of fun at the night, and really enjoyed the incredible range of short films, each casually introduced by their respective filmmakers. The best thing about it was the general feeling of goodwill, everyone was highly encouraging, bursting into applause at the drop of a hat. Here’s how Kino describes itself:

Kino London’s monthly open-mic film night is the only film night of it’s kind in London. Filmmakers register in advance to screen their short at the next event, sight unseen. There are no themes, no pre-selection and no restrictions, other than that films be under 6 minutes, on dvd, and include the Kino London logo at the end, just for our screening.

Filmmakers turn up with their film on the night, introduce it personally then stick around to discuss their work with audience and filmmakers alike. ‘Challenges’ are awarded to rule-breakers – a film that the audience decide the filmmaker must make and screen at Kino London.

Kino also runs a monthly filmmaking Challenge which is open to anyone who wants to work on a short – in any capacity. The film idea is provided by the audience, and the short is produced in the 30 days between screenings. More details here. 

Not only has Kino encouraged us to go along to more short film screenings, but it’s made us want to get out there and make more films. So watch this space, because Gorilla Film Magazine will be working on many more film projects in the near future. And I expect all of them will have the soul purpose of shamelessly promoting the magazine. Go capitalism!

The 46-hour Film Jam

On the 24th of June SAE and Gorilla Film Magazine hosted a 46-hour film competition, hoping to encourage young filmmakers to get off their arses and make a movie. The team leaders put their hands into the mystery box and plucked out a scrap of paper with their theme written on it, they were also given a mug to use as a prop and a random line of dialogue to fit into their film. Each movie would be about three minutes in length and had to be delivered before the deadline on the 26^th, otherwise they wouldn’t be eligible to win a prize and their film wouldn’t be shown on a big, shiny screen. A couple of the teams were still rendering their films come the screening, and some of them didn’t even have time to submit, but nevertheless the films that were shown were a joy to watch and it was surprising to see how well these shorts had come together, despite the amount of time the filmmakers had to write, shoot and edit their babies.

Getting started

Out of the selection of shorts that were shown, three would go on to win prizes, and it was down to three judges to decide what films deserved the honour. After a half hour of energetic discussion, in which most of the conversation boiled down to how surprising the quality of the shorts were, the three judges shuffled awkwardly to the front of the screening room and announced the winners. Third place was ‘Ben’, the judges were impressed not only with the inventive camerawork and coherent story line, but also with how the filmmakers had taken the theme of ‘redemption’ and turned it on it’s head, showing how the idea of redemption can really mean something different depending on the individual.

The prizes are handed out

The second place went to ‘Ashes’, a beautifully shot film about lost love. The judges enjoyed the mood the film created, and appreciated the stylish, clever visuals and intriguing contrast of narratives.

First place went to Love Against the Odds, a heartfelt little film about the wonder of love. The film itself was a narrative of imagery, focusing more on objects, or landscapes rather than the couple who long to be with each other. We glimpse a quick shot of the protagonists, but the majority of the time we only see associations in the form of random items, which builds a feeling of nostalgia and a kind of understanding of what love is like in a long-term relationship. The tone of the film is light and breezy, and the expression of love bursts out of the semantics and gives you a hug. The imagery that is usually presented when dealing with the subject of love, such as kissing, is never shown, because it doesn’t need to be, the film is about love itself, no the presentation of it.

The judges and the winners of the competition 

This is the first time either SAE or Gorilla Film Magazine have hosted a 46-hour film competition, but I’m sure it won’t be the last. Check out the winner of the competition below.

The Student Film Festival Speakeasy Event!

On Thursday the 18th of August, the SFF is reliving Prohibition at Platform in London Fields. If you dream of being a gangster or a femme fatale, sneak in for a night of prohibited fun.

This is not your regular film night. SFF London is taking you out of your comfort zone for a taste of danger. Expect games, film, music and of course, drinking that illegal goodness!

Gorilla Film Magazine will be there, making fools of ourselves as usual, with games Monkey Roulette and Risk it for a Biscuit.

Drink to the special mash-up of forbidden rushes and Cigarette Burns’ exclusive teaser for this autumn’s Pinky Violence series at the Rio Cinema. http://cigaretteburnscinem?a.blogspot.com/

Call the Tune! With all you hotshots in the room, SFF feared a blood bath so they have decided to let YOU choose the music. Post your favourite 5 swinging Prohibition tunes on their wall and they’ll play them on the night: http://www.facebook.com/St?udentFilmFestival

For this exceptional event, SFF will announce the winners of SFFLondon’s and ISFO’s unique film Pitch Competition! http://www.futureinfilm.co?m/blog/isfo-launch-party

So join us on the 18th of August at Platform, Netil House for trench coats, strangers, mysterious looks and barrels of whisky.

Doors open at 7pm. Entry is free!

Check out the SFF Facebook page by clicking on this link.

Monkey With a Movie Camera at Look Mum No Hands!

Not contented with being merely amazing, we decided to expand Gorilla Film Magazine as a community by hosting a short film night, hopefully the first of many. Monkey With a Movie Camera was held at the Look Mum No Hands  cafe on Old Street. We showed a bunch of great films, most of which we’ve reviewed either in the magazine or on the website.

We had our designer mock up a black and white poster (it’s cheaper than colour) and he made this wonderful piece of promotional material.

The night in question was a huge success, lots of eager people turned up to the free event and said lots of nice things about the short, low-budget films we showed. Obviously, these film nights are common place in London, and there’s a load of great places you should check out (we’ll post about them some time. Probably) but consider this as our hat in the ring, Gorilla Film Magazine is not just a magazine, it’s other stuff as well.