Our students and alumni have been busier than ever this summer as over the last month there’s been some fantastic news coming from everyone. Remember to get in touch with us at alumni@lfs.org.uk in you have any of your own news to share or know about someone else whose achievements we could be including.
It was fantastic to hear about Ill Fares The Land, the short film written and directed by Patrick Ireland (MAF 183). The film is about a young boy who finds a mermaid washed up on the shores of his seaside home while his older brother is swept up in the rising tide of far-right nationalism. Also produced by another former student, Jessica Romagnoli (MAS 10) it’s brilliant to hear about former students continuing to work together. Watch the trailer here.
This month we were hugely impressed as alumnus, Ahmed Jamal (DF 82) spoke at the Pakistan Literature Festival. He was conversation with Asad Qureshi’s for the launch of his book, 165 Days: Prisoner Of The Taliban.
We loved seeing that alumna, Dornaz Hajiha (MAF 180) did so well at the Transilvania Film Festival. Dornaz’s film, Like A Fish on the Moon, won the first prize marking the first time a female director has taken the honour at the event. The film is a moving family drama about two parents coping with the emotional fallout when their young son suddenly stops talking. Read the news here Transilvania 2023 unveils competition winners of record-breaking edition | News | Screen (screendaily.com)
We’re delighted to see that Count Abdulla is now on screens. Written by former Screenwriting student, Kaamil Shah (MAS 13) Count Abdulla was initially developed while at LFS and is available on ITVX now. The comedy tells the story of a junior doctor bitten by a vampire and has been described by The Guardian as “deftly written”. Read the review here, and watch the series online here Count Abdulla - Series 1 - Episode 1 - ITVX.
Congratulations to graduate, Markella Kontaratou (MAF 0919) whose grad film Scorched Earth has been selected for Locarno Film Festival. The selection for such a prestigious festival is a huge achievement for a grad film. the film has been selected in the Pardi di domani: International Competition. Read more about it here Scorched Earth | Locarno Film Festival (locarnofestival.ch)
We heard from former MA Screenwriting alumnus, Samuel Jefferson (MAS 9) who is doing incredibly well and is currently the lead writer for KraNK Berlin, an eight-part series, being produced by Violet Pictures and Real Film Berlin. Ordered by Sky Studios in Germany the series is a dark comedy set at Neukölln Hospital, KraNK for short, one of Germany’s toughest and most overcrowded hospitals.
Fantastic to see that Nathalie Pitters (MAF 184) has been named Screen Star of Tomorrow 2023 by Screen International. DoP, Nathalie is about to start shooting, Queenie, for Disney’s Onyx Collective, Channel 4 and Lionsgate. Making the list is a fantastic endorsement of Nathalie’s future as it a reliable showcase of creative talent. Read more here Stars of Tomorrow 2023: Nathalie Pitters (cinematographer) | Features | Screen (screendaily.com).
Patrick McPherson (MAS0919) will be bringing his brilliant and highly anticipated show, The Way Way Deep, to Edinburgh Fringe this year. Patrick has performed at Edinburgh twice before and his return will embrace dynamic theatre, comedy and music. Hugo McPherson (MAS 0919), Patrick’s brother will also be performing with Patrick at Underbelly Cowgate in the show Pear, but Braver. Get tickets here for Pear, But Braver Underbelly (underbellyedinburgh.co.uk) and here for The Way Way Deep Underbelly (underbellyedinburgh.co.uk).
Also in Ediburgh, I Killed My Ex, is a dark comedy the new play written, produced and directed by graduate, Emilie Biason (MAS16). Emilie has also performed in theplay and it can be seen throughout August. Get your tickets here I Killed My Ex | Theatre | Edinburgh Festival Fringe (edfringe.com)
Photo Credits (top to bottom)
Ill Fares The Land (Wri-Dir: Patrick Ireland)
Dornaz Hajiha at Transilvania Film Festival
Count Adulla (Dir: Asim Abbasi, Wri: Kaamil Shah)
Scorched Earth (Wri-Dir: Markella Kontaratou)
Posters from Pears, But Better, The Way Way Deep and I Killed My Ex