LIFELINE
LIFELINE, BFI funded film, released online on Monday 27th Feb.
Please share the film.
See press release below for more information.
Email sam@samjonesfilms.com for more information.
Sam Jones, a filmmaker from Manchester, has been recognised by Oscar/BAFTA qualifying film festival in the USA, winning 1st prize for an award for his short film - free to watch online for the first time on Monday 27 February.
LIFELINE, a 10-minute film written and directed by Sam Jones when he was 17-years-old, has played at film festivals around the world including the Rhode Island International Film Festival – an Oscar qualifying event – and also featuring at the recent BAFTA qualifying London Short Film Festival 2017.
Funded by the prestigious British Film Institute – Sam received a grant from the BFI for the ‘most promising filmmaker under 25’ when he was only 16-years-old – LIFELINE has attracted rave reviews from UK Film Review, calling it 'one of the best shorts of the year'.
Musicians Rizzle Kicks saw the film and had to comment:
"Even in what appears to be a dystopian/post apocalyptic future, the overwhelming courage and power of a mother loses no relativity. More cinema like this."
Sam, who has made films since he discovered a webcam at the back of a cupboard aged 10, said: “Without giving away any plot spoilers, LIFELINE follows a woman who finds herself in a desperate situation and is forced to do something drastic to provide her son with one final lifeline. It's a film about how far someone will go for the people they love. But it's also about the power of the ultimate selflessness, as uncovered at the end of the film."
“Inspired by a conversation I had with my mum, it took six months to write LIFELINE alongside studying for my A Levels. It was all filmed in Manchester, UK, in the restored Victorian swimming pool, Victoria Baths, which was more recently used in the BBC’s Peaky Blinders.
"The film was possibly my biggest challenge yet. There was a fantastic cast and crew of 40 people who all helped make the film possible. I loved seeing it all come together on set - from writing the script at home to seeing it become a reality on set - it was so surreal for me. I really admire the work of Danny Boyle - I think the way he crafts his stories is fantastic, utilising the power of film at every moment."
LIFELINE premiered in front of more than 400 people at the NFT1 BFI Southbank cinema, the home of British Cinema, last year before playing at film festivals in the USA, Belgium and the UK.
Actor and comedian Matt Lucas has seen the film and is lined up to tweet about the film upon release at this link:
https://twitter.com/RealMattLucas/status/837042298466762752
On being screened at film festivals, Sam said: “I'm so happy to screen at such respected film festivals for filmmakers.
I make films for audiences, so the best aspect is really so that I know audiences will be able to see the film. I hope that the film can find an audience online.
LIFELINE will be premiered online for the first time on Monday 27th February at 10AM at this link:
See more of Sam's work at www.samjonesfilms.com
Please see attached pictures.
For all tweets and Facebook posts please use
#LifelineShortFilm
and tag @SamJonesFilms
Contact:
Sam's Mobile: +44 (0)7842835119
Email: sam@samjonesfilms.com
Twitter: @SamJonesFilms
Facebook: @SamJonesFilms
Website: www.samjonesfilms.com
LIFELINE was all filmed in Manchester's fantastic Victoria Baths.
A word from Victoria Baths:
Victoria Baths opened its door to the public in 1906, when the Lord Mayor described it as “a water palace of which every citizen of Manchester is proud.” No expense was spared in the terracotta, decorative stained glass, tiles and mosaics. The Baths served the community with three swimming pools, Turkish Baths, Laundry, Slipper Baths and Aerotone (first form of Jacuzzi). Since closing in 1993, the building has remained remarkably intact and is Historic England Grade 2* listed. In 2003 we won BBC Two’s first Restoration series which enabled restoration work to begin. Much has been achieved, including restoring the whole front façade, the clock tower, roofing, stained glass and internal features, but much remains still to be done and restoration work continues in 2017.
Our new appeal launched in 2016 - to raise funds to re-open the Turkish Baths with a modern health suite for spa treatments; and to restore the Superintendent's Flat into rental apartments. Both of these restoration projects will provide Victoria Baths with much-needed regular income throughout the year.
The total cost of this phase of restoration is £4.5 million, which we're beginning to raise from lots of different sources, including an application for £3.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, generous contributions from Friends, visitors to the building and the general public.
Please contribute now to support the restoration https://mydonate.bt.com/donation/start.html?charity=164427
A word from me:
Victoria Baths opens to the public from April to October, full details of all open days, tours and events can be found here http://www.victoriabaths.org.uk/visit/ If you’re in the area, I’d really recommend a visit/tour, the building really is stunning both outside and in and you’ll be amazed to see how much restoration work has taken place.
