CINEAST is part of the BBC's ongoing commitment to find innovative ways to develop and champion new talent for the future.
CINEAST was a digital short film programme produced by 大象传媒 Writersroom and , which supported, developed and produced short films from the next wave of emerging writing, directing and acting talent from the UK鈥檚 East and Southeast Asian diaspora. Four digital shorts were commissioned in 2011, and were showcased at industry preview events at BAFTA and Encounters Bristol International Film Festival.
The films were commissioned in June 2011. They went through script development and were given support and feedback from concept to final cut. The films were made on incredibly tight budgets, but without any compromise to storytelling or ambition.
The CINEAST films are intended to engage audiences, spark debate and to further the careers of the talent involved.
Selina Lim's Painkiller went on to be premiered at Rushes Soho Shorts 2012 in competition for Best Short. It was also part of the official selection at the London Short Film Festival 2013 and London Comedy Film Festival 2013 where it was nominated for the Discovery Award.
Painkiller
- Writer: Selina Lim
- Director: Mustapha Kseibati
- Producer: Michael Berliner
A short black comedy which sees street-smart Dominic鈥檚 armed robbery of a convenience store go wrong when he crosses paths with hard-working Jay, a taxi driver with nothing left to lose. Mutual contempt soon turns into a kind of understanding, but not without some pain along the way.
WARNING: Contains strong language, some violent scenes, and some scenes which viewers may find upsetting.
3 Mile Radius
- Writer/Director: Lab Ky Mo
- Producer: Stephen Cheer
A dying Chinese man, Jack, returns to his estranged wife to ask permission to see his son for the last time. When his wife refuses, Jack has to resort to desperate measures鈥�
Full
- Writer/Director: In-Sook Chappell
- Producer: Sophie Neave
Kelly is an awkward 15-year old, sugar-addict who doesn鈥檛 want to be anything like her mother - who her father has left. Kelly can鈥檛 stop thinking about a man who works at the fairground. Craving attention she sets out to seduce him...
WARNING: Contains some strong language.
Mercutio's Dreaming
- Writer/Co-Director: Daniel York
- Co-Director: Jennifer Lim
- Producer: Emily Mayson
The comical and tragic adventures of Lawrence Yang, a would-be Shakespearean actor, and his travails with an industry that will only see him as 'Oriental'.