International Women's Day Gala

Thu 8 March, 8.30pm, NFT1, BFI Southbank
Tickets for this event are SOLD OUT.

To celebrate International Women's Day in 2012, Birds Eye View has curated a knock-out programme of brilliant short films from around the world.

Twice Golden Globe nominee Romola Garai (The Hour, Atonement) introduces a specially curated programme of five of the most outstanding short films from around the world. Chilling drama, comedy musical, innovative animation and documentary demonstrate the breadth and power of the next generation of women filmmakers. Post-show discussion features Moira Buffini (Tamara Drewe, Jane Eyre) and Sally El Hosaini, who will be sharing preview clips from My Brother The Devil - her debut feature film that has taken Sundance and Berlin by storm.

All tickets holders are invited to our afterparty, at which queen of the airwaves DJ Nemone (BBC Radio 6 Music) will accompany free Mary Pickford cocktails (made with Alnwick rum) and Borough Market's own Roast beer.

 

  • BISHI: "The New British Diva"

    An audio-visual feast to start the evening

    BISHI performs new piece Dia Ti Maria, a multi-sensory recreation of the fundamental female archetype as a superstar of song, in an 8 minute choral piece exploring loss, fortitude and self-realization. Originally commissioned by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Bishi sings all 50 voices on the recording while framed by an immersive video performance.

  • The Red Virgin

    UK PREMIERE. DIR. Sheila Pye; 17 min

    Hildegart Rodríguez Carballeira was born in Madrid in 1914 to her mother Aurora, who pledged to bring her up as the world's first fully free woman. In 1933 Aurora killed her daughter for having failed. Spanish stars Maribel Verdú and Ivana Baquero lead this drama based on a staggering true story.

  • Bottle

    DIR. Kirsten Lepore; 5 min

    This touching and visually stunning stop-motion short details a transoceanic conversation between two characters via objects in a bottle. Only Kirsten's third release, it has won awards at Slamdance, the Stuttgart Animation festival, the BAFTAs and more.

  • Mokhtar

    DIR. Halima Ouardiri; 15 min

    Based on a true story, Mokhtar recounts the tale of a young boy who finds a fallen owl and decides to keep it, despite the fact that the bird is considered a bad omen.
    With thanks to the Dubai Film Festival.

  • Sinema Leo

    UK PREMIERE. DIR. Christiane Buchmann; 4 min

    Elisonguo Kiwia loves movies and dreams of creating a thriving film industry in his home country Tanzania. He drives his truck into far flung villages, captivating audiences with the help of a petrol powered projector.

  • Baldguy

    UK PREMIERE. DIR. Maria Bock; 12 min

    A slick and stylish comic musical about being who you are and loving whomever you want.

  • Abi Morgan

    No longer able to join us

    Due to unforseen and unavoidable circumstances Abi Morgan is no longer able to attend our International Women's Day Gala. A great shame and she'll be sorely missed!

  • Moira Buffini

    Post Screening Discussion

    Described by David Grieg as a metaphysical playwright, actor turned writer Moira Buffini's most recent screen hits were her adaptations of Tamara Drewe (2010) and Jane Eyre (2011), both gaining her critical praise and audience delight.

  • Sally El Hosaini

    Post Screening Discussion

    Welsh-Egyptian writer-director Sally El Hosaini first became involved with Birds Eye View in 2010, with the BEV & Script Factory's She Writes training programme. Sally will be sharing clips from her debut feature My Brother the Devil, which won the World Cinema Cinematography Award at Sundance and Europa Cinemas' Best European Film at Berlin this year.