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Student filmmaker Sam releases ‘one of the best shorts of the year’ to critical acclaim

Sam, left, on set making Lifeline

Press release issued: 27 February 2017

Student filmmaker Sam Jones, named by the British Film Institute (BFI) as ‘one of the most promising filmmakers under 25’, is releasing his award-winning short film today [27 February].

Lifeline, which has received critical acclaim at film festivals around the world, was written and directed by Sam after he received a grant of £5,000 from the BFI.

The 10 minute film follows a mother who finds herself in a desperate situation and is forced to do something to provide her son with one final lifeline.

Sam, who's in the first year of his English and Theatre Studies degree at the University of Bristol, wrote Lifeline while studying for his A-levels.

It premiered in front of more than 400 people at the NFT1 BFI Southbank cinema last year before playing at film festivals in the USA, Belgium and the UK.

Lifeline won first prize for an award at the Rhode Island International Film Festival – an Oscar qualifying event – last summer and UK Film Review called it 'one of the best shorts of the year'.

Earlier this month it was shown at the BAFTA qualifying London Short Film Festival 2017 and it's now been released online.

Lifeline from Sam Jones on Vimeo.

Sam, who originates from Manchester, said: "This 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.

"To win first prize at the Rhode Island International Film Festival was incredible, especially as it's such a respected film festival for filmmakers."

Sam's aspirations for the future include gaining more experience in theatre directing. He said: “What I enjoy most about the process of filmmaking is working with actors, hence my choice to study Theatre and English.

"So far, the course has contributed towards my understanding of storytelling and has helped with cementing the fundamentals of naturalism.

"Since Lifeline, I have moved across into the realm of theatre directing and was selected to direct Dramsoc's play in the Students Union's Winston Theatre this year. This was such a great experience and I'm looking to direct more theatre at the moment."

For more of Sam's work, visit his website www.samjonesfilms.com

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