LONDON'S HUB OF INDIE SHORT FILM REVEALED - INTERVIEW WITH SHORTS ON TAP

Filippo Polesel
Shorts on Tap

Image : Filippo Polesel, Founder of Shorts On Tap - London fastest growing short film screening platform

1. Tell us about the Shorts On Tap project ?

Shorts On Tap is a short film screening platform based in London, dedicated to giving exposure to talented short filmmakers as well as facilitating the spread of ideas and raising awareness of social issues through film.

2. How do contemporary filmmakers find out about you ?

We are very active on social media, especially film related pages and platforms. Word-of-mouth plays a huge role too. With 3 monthly events in London for the past 2.5 years, we have been giving a voice to hundreds of filmmakers, hence building a strong following. Now that our name is out there in the London indie film scene, we constantly receive new film submissions.

3. How many submissions do you usually receive by month ?

It really depends on whether we are running a call for films or not during that period. When we're actively looking for new material, we receive under a hundred submissions a month.

 

4. What has been the most memorable screening so far? Why ?

The greatest screening we had so far was on May 17 in 2015 at the Prince Charles Cinema. That was a pivotal event for Shorts On Tap as we never held a screening in a place with such a capacity (288 seats). We had a full house that day, as it was the world premiere of a Sci-Fi LGBT short called “Credence” by our good friend and Director, Mike Buonaiuto. That day was truly amazing, and a milestone for Shorts On Tap.

5. Which genre is proving to be the most popular amongst filmmakers ?

Drama and particularly Family Drama: six out of ten films we receive belong to this genre.

 

6. It is difficult to ignore the fact that there has been a growing interest in Indie films over the past few years. What would you attribute this to ?

I think there is a lack of freshness in mainstream filmmaking. Only a few titles from major studios are exploring uncharted territories and new concepts of style. This is why the public is turning to indie film: most indie productions are bolder and less subjected to political filtering, manipulation and restrictions; hence you have a fresher product with more innovative and daring ideas. It's a more simulative market. Rather than 'playing it safe', independent filmmakers are not afraid to raise questions and explore new areas. The public simply can't ignore that.

 

" This is why the public is turning to indie film: most indie productions are bolder and less subjected to political filtering, manipulation and restrictions; hence you have a fresher product with more innovative and daring ideas. "

7. Would you say that London is a good place for an aspiring indie film producer? Why ?

London is a place of ideas, a hub for a creative mind and creativity. This is why it is the right place for an aspiring indie film producer.

  

8. In your opinion, what is the future of the independent and short film industry ?

Short film is going to adapt to new technologies and markets. Shorts will find their ways into our daily lives more and more with the introduction of new apps and 360 VR companies producing more interactive narrative shorts. Brands and companies will convey their messages through short films. Short film is the future of filmmaking because we live a fragmented life: the many stimuli and inputs we're exposed to, made our attention span much shorter, hence the need for film and documentary to be shorter.

SHORTS ON TAP