The film has been shortlisted in the ‘Documentary Shorts’ competition this year, which means it automatically qualifies for the Academy Award! Congratulations to Isla, Anna, Vlad and the whole team!
The aim of the competition is to recognize the art of documentary filmmaking as creative interpretation of reality. Putting emphasis on the visual and aesthetic aspects of the selected nonfiction entries, the jury awards the best cinematographers in the competition.
The Elvermen has previously been selected at Raindance, Sheffield Doc Fest, Aesthetica and Camden International.
The Elvermen
After a day working in a print factory in Gloucester, Dave drives to the moonlit banks of the River Severn to hunt for an elusive fish, the rare elver (baby-eel), supposedly worth more than their weight in gold. Over the course of a night, we experience the mysterious world of the Elvermen: the addictive gamble and fathers, sons, brothers and friends on stake-out. Phone calls of frustration and joy echo down a river lit by head torches.
Director: Isla Badenoch
Cinematographer: Anna MacDonald
Produced by: Glass Onion Films
Country and year: UK, 2021