WINTER 2016/2017 WINNERS
Outstanding Female Filmmaker:
Emma Dark, Seize the Night
About Emma and her film:
EMMA DARK is an award-winning filmmaker, actress and model, specializing in the horror, sci-fi and fantasy genres. She started modeling in 2008 and quickly made a name for herself working with highly respected independent boutique designers and creative photographers on the alternative scene in London and beyond.
In 2010 she modeled for the incredibly popular Hell Bunny and Spin Doctor labels, and in 2011 went on to be published in Natasha Scharf's book Worldwide Gothic: A Chronicle of a Tribe. In 2012 she featured as Miss April and July in Jason Juta's annual fantasy calendar and won World Goth Day's Best Model, which was covered by Cosmopolitan and various other media machines.
In Autumn 2012 she joined dark synthpop band X-KiN as their female vocalist, and appeared in the band's music videos. Less than a year later, in spring 2013, Emma went on to star in BEF/Kim Wilde horror themed music video 'Every Time I See You I Go Wild', featuring heavily in the final cut. This experience ultimately led Emma to switch focus from modeling and singing to acting and filmmaking.
2014 saw her moving forward in her film career, taking part as an official judge at the prestigious British Horror Film Festival, and producing/directing horror fan short 'Island of the Blind Dead' (2015) with fellow filmmaker Merlyn Roberts. As 2014 drew to a close Emma embarked on her greatest challenge to date, her first self-produced and directed, horror/action short 'Seize the Night' (2015)
In 2015 Emma's work on 'Seize the Night' went on to win her the notable MMBF Rising Star award at Ireland's The Yellow Fever Independent Film Festival. The film garnered favourable reviews from a multitude of respected genre websites including Dread Central, Starburst and UK Horror Scene, as well as a news article on the official AMC's Horror Channel website.
As the film gained momentum 'Seize the Night' and Emma Dark featured in comprehensive national print articles, including front page mentions, in the UK's leading horror magazine Scream, and indie filmmaking favourite Digital Filmmaker Magazine. Emma also featured in online cult magazines Malevolent (US) and The Digital Dead (UK), and participated in a multitude of web, video and radio interviews.
Other achievements in 2015 included returning as a judge at the British Horror Film Festival, the honour of having an MMBF horror achievement award created in her name, and narrating a storytelling based segment for Richard Gladman’s 'Fragments of Fear', alongside classic horror greats Caroline Munro and Francoise Pascal. Additionally, Emma featured as an official signing guest at KnightCon 2014, Digi-Con 2015, and bi-monthly cult film event the Camden Film Fair in December 2015.
2016 was another action packed year for Emma, attending Doncaster’s Digi-Con2, Birmingham's MCM Comic Con, Rochdale’s Dale-Con 4, Sheffield's HorrorCon UK, Scifi Wales and Bristol Horror Con as a special signing guest.
May 2016 saw the online release of Emma's film 'Seize the Night', which was covered by a wide range of media channels, receiving a positive critic and audience reception. It also saw Emma dubbed an honorary patron of the arts for London's esteemed Misty Moon Film Society, and starring in Misty Moon and Robo Film's 'Frankula' alongside Hammer Horror scream queens Caroline Munro and Judy Matheson, and television star David Barry of 'Please Sir!' fame.
September 2016 saw Emma grace the front cover of issue 39 of internationally distributed independent filmmaking magazine - Digital FilmMaker Magazine - heading an article charting the rise of female filmmakers. January 2017 then saw Emma take over the monthly 'Ask the FilmMaker' column in Digital FilmMaker Magazine from previous columnist Sean J Vincent.
Emma is now in post-production on her next self Produced/Directed short film - SciFi/Horror 'Salient Minus Ten' - which stars 'Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back' actor Alan Austen in the lead role, with cinematography from internationally renowned DoP Philip Bloom
SEIZE THE NIGHT has been one of the most talked about short films on the independent horror scene over the past year. In its time on the festival circuit the film has won creator Emma Dark an MMBF Rising Star award at Ireland’s The Yellow Fever Independent Film Festival, garnered favourable reviews from a multitude of respected genre websites including Dread Central, Starburst and UK Horror Scene, and featured in comprehensive national print articles in the UK’s leading horror magazine Scream, and indie filmmaking favourite Digital Filmmaker Magazine. Wearing many hats on the project up-and-coming female filmmaker Emma Dark both Produced, Directed and edited the film, as well taking a starring role.
SEIZE THE NIGHT’s ambitious fight scenes were coordinated by semi-retired Hollywood stunt man Roy Scammell, who amongst a plethora of credits is responsible for fight coordination and stunt work on many of the James Bond films, Alien (1979), A Clockwork Orange (1971) and Superman (1978). The film is further enhanced with digital visual effects from up and coming VFX artist Davy Simmons and a unique score from US based composer Eric Elick.
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Best Short:
NASTY, Prano Bailey-Bond
About NASTY
"Taken over by something evil from the TV set" and "Rape of our children's minds" are just two of the real tabloid headlines which demonised Video Nasty's in early-80's Britain. I’m fascinated by this era of moral panic, when VHS first became available in the home and a boom in low budget horror ensued. Now, even children could get their hands on this stuff to view it – secretly, and repeatedly. What was this new way of consuming horror going to do to our society? Many believed it would turn us into monsters. In a way, I sought to satirize this thinking, exploring what the world would be like if these headlines were true. What is the power of fiction? Where does its influence over reality begin and end? I was interested in these questions, and in finding ways to show fiction invading reality – mundane suburbia and the vivid world of VHS horror colliding. I wanted to boil down some of the issues surrounding Video Nasty’s and place them within the context of the family. I’m interested in how we censor our children from difficult information and how this can create distance within the family, potentially leaving a child more confused and vulnerable. What truths do we share or hide from our families, and what are the consequences of this?
-------------------------------------------------------
Best Feature:
Party Night, Troy Escamilla
Best Actress:
Mandy Magnan, The Audition
Best Actor:
Tom Ryan, Theta States
Best Scream Queen:
Madeleine Hutchins and Joanne Gale, NASTY
Best Director:
Peter Hurd, The Control Group
Best Big Bad:
Smile
Best Cinematography:
THE QUIET ZONE
Best Sound/Music:
THE QUIET ZONE
Best Editing:
Altschmerz
Best SFX:
Zombie Playground: Ice Scream
Emma Dark, Seize the Night
About Emma and her film:
EMMA DARK is an award-winning filmmaker, actress and model, specializing in the horror, sci-fi and fantasy genres. She started modeling in 2008 and quickly made a name for herself working with highly respected independent boutique designers and creative photographers on the alternative scene in London and beyond.
In 2010 she modeled for the incredibly popular Hell Bunny and Spin Doctor labels, and in 2011 went on to be published in Natasha Scharf's book Worldwide Gothic: A Chronicle of a Tribe. In 2012 she featured as Miss April and July in Jason Juta's annual fantasy calendar and won World Goth Day's Best Model, which was covered by Cosmopolitan and various other media machines.
In Autumn 2012 she joined dark synthpop band X-KiN as their female vocalist, and appeared in the band's music videos. Less than a year later, in spring 2013, Emma went on to star in BEF/Kim Wilde horror themed music video 'Every Time I See You I Go Wild', featuring heavily in the final cut. This experience ultimately led Emma to switch focus from modeling and singing to acting and filmmaking.
2014 saw her moving forward in her film career, taking part as an official judge at the prestigious British Horror Film Festival, and producing/directing horror fan short 'Island of the Blind Dead' (2015) with fellow filmmaker Merlyn Roberts. As 2014 drew to a close Emma embarked on her greatest challenge to date, her first self-produced and directed, horror/action short 'Seize the Night' (2015)
In 2015 Emma's work on 'Seize the Night' went on to win her the notable MMBF Rising Star award at Ireland's The Yellow Fever Independent Film Festival. The film garnered favourable reviews from a multitude of respected genre websites including Dread Central, Starburst and UK Horror Scene, as well as a news article on the official AMC's Horror Channel website.
As the film gained momentum 'Seize the Night' and Emma Dark featured in comprehensive national print articles, including front page mentions, in the UK's leading horror magazine Scream, and indie filmmaking favourite Digital Filmmaker Magazine. Emma also featured in online cult magazines Malevolent (US) and The Digital Dead (UK), and participated in a multitude of web, video and radio interviews.
Other achievements in 2015 included returning as a judge at the British Horror Film Festival, the honour of having an MMBF horror achievement award created in her name, and narrating a storytelling based segment for Richard Gladman’s 'Fragments of Fear', alongside classic horror greats Caroline Munro and Francoise Pascal. Additionally, Emma featured as an official signing guest at KnightCon 2014, Digi-Con 2015, and bi-monthly cult film event the Camden Film Fair in December 2015.
2016 was another action packed year for Emma, attending Doncaster’s Digi-Con2, Birmingham's MCM Comic Con, Rochdale’s Dale-Con 4, Sheffield's HorrorCon UK, Scifi Wales and Bristol Horror Con as a special signing guest.
May 2016 saw the online release of Emma's film 'Seize the Night', which was covered by a wide range of media channels, receiving a positive critic and audience reception. It also saw Emma dubbed an honorary patron of the arts for London's esteemed Misty Moon Film Society, and starring in Misty Moon and Robo Film's 'Frankula' alongside Hammer Horror scream queens Caroline Munro and Judy Matheson, and television star David Barry of 'Please Sir!' fame.
September 2016 saw Emma grace the front cover of issue 39 of internationally distributed independent filmmaking magazine - Digital FilmMaker Magazine - heading an article charting the rise of female filmmakers. January 2017 then saw Emma take over the monthly 'Ask the FilmMaker' column in Digital FilmMaker Magazine from previous columnist Sean J Vincent.
Emma is now in post-production on her next self Produced/Directed short film - SciFi/Horror 'Salient Minus Ten' - which stars 'Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back' actor Alan Austen in the lead role, with cinematography from internationally renowned DoP Philip Bloom
SEIZE THE NIGHT has been one of the most talked about short films on the independent horror scene over the past year. In its time on the festival circuit the film has won creator Emma Dark an MMBF Rising Star award at Ireland’s The Yellow Fever Independent Film Festival, garnered favourable reviews from a multitude of respected genre websites including Dread Central, Starburst and UK Horror Scene, and featured in comprehensive national print articles in the UK’s leading horror magazine Scream, and indie filmmaking favourite Digital Filmmaker Magazine. Wearing many hats on the project up-and-coming female filmmaker Emma Dark both Produced, Directed and edited the film, as well taking a starring role.
SEIZE THE NIGHT’s ambitious fight scenes were coordinated by semi-retired Hollywood stunt man Roy Scammell, who amongst a plethora of credits is responsible for fight coordination and stunt work on many of the James Bond films, Alien (1979), A Clockwork Orange (1971) and Superman (1978). The film is further enhanced with digital visual effects from up and coming VFX artist Davy Simmons and a unique score from US based composer Eric Elick.
-----------------------------------------------------
Best Short:
NASTY, Prano Bailey-Bond
About NASTY
"Taken over by something evil from the TV set" and "Rape of our children's minds" are just two of the real tabloid headlines which demonised Video Nasty's in early-80's Britain. I’m fascinated by this era of moral panic, when VHS first became available in the home and a boom in low budget horror ensued. Now, even children could get their hands on this stuff to view it – secretly, and repeatedly. What was this new way of consuming horror going to do to our society? Many believed it would turn us into monsters. In a way, I sought to satirize this thinking, exploring what the world would be like if these headlines were true. What is the power of fiction? Where does its influence over reality begin and end? I was interested in these questions, and in finding ways to show fiction invading reality – mundane suburbia and the vivid world of VHS horror colliding. I wanted to boil down some of the issues surrounding Video Nasty’s and place them within the context of the family. I’m interested in how we censor our children from difficult information and how this can create distance within the family, potentially leaving a child more confused and vulnerable. What truths do we share or hide from our families, and what are the consequences of this?
-------------------------------------------------------
Best Feature:
Party Night, Troy Escamilla
Best Actress:
Mandy Magnan, The Audition
Best Actor:
Tom Ryan, Theta States
Best Scream Queen:
Madeleine Hutchins and Joanne Gale, NASTY
Best Director:
Peter Hurd, The Control Group
Best Big Bad:
Smile
Best Cinematography:
THE QUIET ZONE
Best Sound/Music:
THE QUIET ZONE
Best Editing:
Altschmerz
Best SFX:
Zombie Playground: Ice Scream
WINTER 2016/2017 NOMINEES
Outstanding Female Filmmaker:
Mandy Magnan, The Audition
Prano Bailey-Bond, NASTY and Shortcut
Lynne Hansen, Chomp
Alison Kholhardt
Chelsea Robinson, Smile
Samantha Gilbert, Diablera
Somica Sprately, Altschmerz
Frankie Williams, Red River Massacre
Out of my Mind, Cindy Maples
Best Short:
Selfie
Smile
Synesthesia
The Quiet Zone
Altschmerz
Red River Massacre
Seize the Night
Best Feature:
Theta States
Blessed Are the Children
Best Actress:
Emma Dark, Seize the Night
Best Actor:
Danny Ross, Synesthesia
Best Scream Queen:
Kristina Parent-Brito, Smile
Best Director:
Troy Escamilla, Party Night
Chris Moore, Blessed Are the Children
Andrew Ionides, THE QUIET ZONE
Dee McCullay, Scars
Best Big Bad:
Shortcut
Best Cinematography:
Seize the Night
Shortcut
Altschmerz
Fallacious
Best Sound/Music:
Hunting Season
Best Editing:
Seize the Night
Out of my Mind
Scars
Best SFX:
NASTY
Fallacious
Diablera
Chomp
Mandy Magnan, The Audition
Prano Bailey-Bond, NASTY and Shortcut
Lynne Hansen, Chomp
Alison Kholhardt
Chelsea Robinson, Smile
Samantha Gilbert, Diablera
Somica Sprately, Altschmerz
Frankie Williams, Red River Massacre
Out of my Mind, Cindy Maples
Best Short:
Selfie
Smile
Synesthesia
The Quiet Zone
Altschmerz
Red River Massacre
Seize the Night
Best Feature:
Theta States
Blessed Are the Children
Best Actress:
Emma Dark, Seize the Night
Best Actor:
Danny Ross, Synesthesia
Best Scream Queen:
Kristina Parent-Brito, Smile
Best Director:
Troy Escamilla, Party Night
Chris Moore, Blessed Are the Children
Andrew Ionides, THE QUIET ZONE
Dee McCullay, Scars
Best Big Bad:
Shortcut
Best Cinematography:
Seize the Night
Shortcut
Altschmerz
Fallacious
Best Sound/Music:
Hunting Season
Best Editing:
Seize the Night
Out of my Mind
Scars
Best SFX:
NASTY
Fallacious
Diablera
Chomp
