Vanessa Lam
25 November 2015: Film production students from the University of Canberra had their names on the big screen after their short film, The Elevator, was selected for the recent 2015 BAFTA accredited Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) in York, England.
Director James Christie-Murray said it was the first time one of his films had been accepted into an international festival.
"It didn't feel real; I never imagined a film I produced would be shown on the other side of the world. I really didn't expect it to happen, but I'm so happy. To be recognised at an international level is fantastic, especially for future prospects," Mr Christie-Murray said.
Cameron Griffith, director of photography, said he was stoked when he found out his film was chosen.
"I got an email at 2am from the ASFF and I was expecting to open a rejection letter. I read it twice and it said 'congratulations your film has made it into the selection'. I couldn't believe it and I'm still dumbfounded that this has even happened," he said.
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Film production students Cameron Griffith and James Christie-Murray's short film The Elevator was selected for this year’s Aesthetica Short Film Festival. Photo: Michelle McAulay
The Elevator was made as the students' final assignment for their Short Film Production unit. The thriller follows a young lady who receives a distressed call from a friend on the other side of town. As she enters the elevator to go up to her friend's apartment, strange things begin to happen.
"It was a great assignment because we had to pick a genre and follow the tropes that genre entails; it really motivates you to make films you probably wouldn't make otherwise," Mr Griffith said.
Mr Christie-Murray said that the inspiration for the short film came from a fear of confined spaces.
"I think personifying this fear into an apparition or some sort of demonic spirit, makes it more relatable and digestible. I also wanted the audience to feel pretty confined and claustrophobic while watching it," the 21-year-old said.
Hosted by Aesthetica Magazine, the ASFF ran earlier this month in York, England. It celebrated independent film and short filmmaking. This year's programme offered a selection of over 300 short films from across the world, in genres including advertising, artists' film, music video, drama and documentary.
Although they were both unable to travel to the UK to see their film screened at the ASFF, Mr Griffith said that the selection has now motivated them to make more short films.
"I would have loved to go to not just because of the screening, there were also workshops and for the great opportunity to network. I feel if we keep making films and entering them into festivals there will be a next time, and then I will definitely be there," he said.
Mr Griffith was doing a Bachelor of Media Arts and Production before deciding to change into the University's film production degree, which started this year.
"I changed from being a painter to doing psychology now to doing this, and it is one of the best things I could have done with my life," he said.
"I've really enjoyed the content because the range of skills that you're getting is incredibly valuable. For instance, this past semester I did sound design, and learning how to do sound is essential because the absolute epitome of horror films is the soundscape."
Mr Christie-Murray was studying a Bachelor of Media Arts And Screen Production and said he switched over to the new film production degree because he wanted to focus more on the filmic aspects of the course
"I can't stress enough how beneficial my degree has been. I think it's fantastic, in all senses. From the films that I made in my first year, to the ones I have made now, you can see a huge difference in quality and practise," he said.
To watch more of the pair's short films visit their YouTube channel and to find out more about the ASFF visit their website.
Watch the short film The Elevator below:
