The annual finale of DVMISSION 48 hour film challenge took place this weekend at the Wedgewood Rooms in Southsea with an immersive cinematic event – The Day That Pompey Stood Still. 27 teams of filmmakers from Portsmouth and Southampton, along with a packed audience enjoyed the premiere screenings of the short films, an immersive theatrical homage to classic Sci-fi film, ‘The Day The Earth Stood Still’ (1951) with a giant walk about tin foil robot. The awards were presented by Portsmouth Councillor Steve Pitt.
“What a fantastic evening! I was thoroughly entertained by the entries and there were plenty of laugh out loud moments. Immersive theatre too. DVMISSION is an amazing film project, celebrating its 15th year.”
Councillor Steve Pitt
THE DAY THAT POMPEY STOOD STILL was the finale of the DVMISSION 48 hour film challenge which is now in its 15th year and is the longest-running 48-hour film challenge in the UK. Local actors, writers, directors, filmmakers team up to produce a short film on a given theme, which this year was Hip Hop robots. The short films are showcased at the finale party night where attendees are encouraged to wear fancy dress for the theme and the Pompey Oscars are awarded to the best films, best actor, best actress, best editor and best story.
The DVMISSION awards, known as the Pompey Oscars, were hand made by local artist James Waterfield who crafted 14 miniature ‘hip hop robots’ to give away to winning teams. Staff and students from the University of Portsmouth’s performing arts provided an immersive theatrical experience featuring a battle between Gort, the robot from the classic Sci-Fi film The Day the World Stood Still (1951). Featuring hip hop dancing robots and space commanders the performance took the audience on a journey into another world.
The winners and nominees for this year’s event were:
Best Film (Professional)
Sponsored by Routledge (Focal press)
Nominated
A step too far
Sleepy Bandits
Winner
Truth at 88mph
“A brilliant idea, solid performances and witty use of props.”
Best Film (Non-Professional)
Sponsored by Creative Network South
Nominated
Show Stoppers
The Worcester Massive
Winner
Gothic Art House
“A polished and visually arresting film that made us laugh.”
Best Actor
Sponsored by Portsmouth City Council
Nominated
What are the hours? - Tippers
Sleepy bandits - James Reilly and Luke Culloty
Winner
Team Kitch - (uncredited actor)
“We really believed he was cruel to a foil covered box”
Best Actress
Sponsored by Portsmouth City Council
Nominated
Truth at 88mph - Lady who runs robot charity, (uncredited actor)
Gothic Art House - Tamara Rosenwyn
Winner
Trash Arts - Anabella Rich
“A sharp and cartoonish portrayal of an android sliding into malfunction."
Most Cinematic Moment
Sponsored by Portsmouth Film Society
Nominations
Prop Box Youth Theatre - The mutilation
The Showstoppers - The jet-fighter flies overhead
Winner
Sleepy Bandits - Robots along the sea-shore
“Wide, bold, ambitious and beautiful."
Best Sound Design
Sponsored by Tilly Films
Nominations
Solent Doozy
Trash Arts
Winner
What are the hours?
"Smooth, seamless, detailed and original.”
Best Editing
Sponsored by Tilly Films
Nominations
Still Under Productions
Gothic Art House
Winner
Continuity Error UK
“Joyfully Daft”
Most Inspired Prop
Sponsored by Tilly Films
Nominations
Sleepy Bandits
The Showstoppers
Winner
The Worcester Massive
"Branded cardboard bling, excellent robots and booby-trapped fruit.”
Astonishing Special Effects
Sponsored by the University of Portsmouth
Nominations
Prop Box Youth Theatre
Solents Finest
Winner
The Showstoppers
"The battle - with a tank and a helicopter. Shades of Ray Harryhausen.”
Best Story
Sponsored by the University of Portsmouth
Nominations
What’s a mook?
Red Book Productions
Winner
A step too far
“Clever and topical”
Spirit of DV Mission
Sponsored by The Kino Foundation
Nominations
The lives of udders - no bull productions
“Wonderfully lo-fi"
UK Film Academy
“They built a robot army”
Winner
Prop Box Youth Theatre
“Bold ensemble silliness."
The Audience Raved About It
Sponsored by The Kino Foundation
Winner
Sleepy Bandits
Best Social Media
Sponsored by Mad Dogs TV
Winner
Gothic Art House
Best Fancy Dress
Sponsored by The Kino Foundation
Winner
Team Void
