INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED FILMMAKERS
COME BACK TO BUCKS

Epsom, Surrey, UK - September 08, 2008 - On Monday 15th September 2008 two alumni of Bucks New University will present their internationally celebrated short drama film 'SICK' at Buckinghamshire's first ever Short Film Festival - Short Cuts - to be held at The Odeon Cinema in Aylesbury during the Aylesbury Festival.

The film deals sensitively with issues of Mental Illness, the representation of which has attracted the rare endorsement of Samaritans and finance from an NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund. It is supported by The UK Film Council through regional agency Screen South and the Regional Investment Fund for England, and Film London and The London Borough of Wandsworth through the Borough Production Fund.

'SICK' is the debut film from writer/director Mike Rymer who graduated in 2001, from what was then Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, with a BA in Film and Media with Video Production. Producer Christine Hartland received a BA in European Business Studies in 1992. Independently both went on to study short courses at Beaconsfield's National Film and Television School. The journey for this film started when the two met on another production and later collaborated to bring Mike's uncompromising script to the screen. They then brought the 35mm film to Buckinghamshire's own Deluxe Laboratories in Denham where much of the post production was achieved.

The film had an international premiere in March this year at the 24th European Film Festival of Lille before being quickly picked up for a host of other competitions. In the six months since its launch it has received 21 selections world wide, winning the Gold Award at the 41st Houston International Film Festival, an Honourable Mention at California's prestigious Accolade Film Awards, and 4 further awards and nominations across Europe for Best International Short Film. It received translation into two languages with further industry sponsorship, and a host of distribution offers before being invited back to Buckinghamshire by Darren Cliff of Cliff Productions who is launching the new festival to provide a platform for local talent.

Darren Cliff (Short Cuts Film Festival UK) said:
"'SICK' is a stylish, well-crafted film with great performances and a strong narrative. The judges were unanimously impressed and touched by the story. We are delighted that it is part of the first ever short film festival in Buckinghamshire."

Mike Rymer (Writer/Director of ‘SICK’) said:
"I am delighted with the continuing success of this project, which is a dream come true. To be invited back to the county where I first learnt to make films is fantastic. Buckinghamshire has such a rich heritage of film production and education and I am excited to be able to contribute to this inaugural festival."

Note to Editors:
'SICK' is a 15 minute independent drama and a co-production by EgoProject Films and Patchwork Productions. It was produced by Christine Hartland and directed by Mike Rymer from a script that he developed while at the Skillset Screen Academy Wales (Newport). The film explores issues of mental health, namely anxiety and depression, is endorsed by Samaritans and was largely funded by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Funds. It was financially assisted by Film London and The London Borough of Wandsworth, and enabled by Screen South and the RIFE lottery funding programme.