Welcome to the 8th edition of GLIMMER, the Hull International Short Film Festival. Once again we invite you to sample a selection of some of the finest shorts available from across the world. Whether it’s unique drama, astonishing animation or some of the very best in artists film and video (or indeed a combination) you’ll be guaranteed to find something to entertain and astound you within the GLIMMER programme.

We are particularly proud this year to welcome the University of Hull as our title sponsor. With its long term commitment to the arts and to the region, the support of the University of Hull is invaluable to helping GLIMMER present an eclectic and diverse programme across the city. Its support is especially crucial in an era in which arts organisations are feeling pressure thanks to a decline in funding due to the recession and the Olympics. The University of Hull – and the other funders and supporters of GLIMMER – deserve a huge thanks for supporting us (and other organisations) in uncertain times.

GLIMMER will be bringing some of its programme to the University of Hull Campus giving students and audiences a new venue in which to enjoy films, whilst the University will once again sponsor the Anthony Minghella Award for Best International and UK Short. We’ll be delighted to welcome scriptwriter Dominic Minghella onto our International and UK Jury where he will help award the prize dedicated to the legacy of his brother. As he approaches the age of 87, GLIMMER will honour the work of experimental filmmaker Jeff Keen with a retrospective and Carte Blanche of his work. There will also be a very special exhibition of Keen’s artwork at the Ferens Art Gallery. As we celebrate the work of one of the vanguard of experimental cinema , we’ll also look to the future with a retrospective of the work onlyfilm. Run by Callum Hale Thomson – who is currently 14 years old – the company specialises in playful experimental work made on 8mm.

Other programmes include the ever popular GLIMMER Awards for best Yorkshire and Hull Shorts an exclusive selection of Taiwanese films in our regular Country in Focus, curated in conjunction with the University of Leeds, Burnout, a new section dedicated to music videos, a programme of films that looks forward to the forthcoming Larkin25 celebrations and some special masterclasses including the return of Anatomy of a Film. There will also be a number of specially invited and curated programmes.

As always, GLIMMER would like to thank all the staff Reel Hull Screen (situated in St Stephens) for all their hospitality and support. I’d also like to thank all the filmmakers, sponsors and staff for making GLIMMER the great event that it is. If you’re a regular visitor, or if it’s your first time, rest assured that GLIMMER will provide you with a week of mini masterpieces that you will never forget.

Laurence Boyce Hull Film / GLIMMER Director

GLIMMER is presented by Hull Film which provides a variety of film programmes and educational events in the city and around the UK on a year round basis.