Classic Shorts Weekend

On Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th November TCM celebrates the art of film making with the culmination of its annual short film competition TCM Classic Shorts.

TCM Classic Shorts Weekend

In this month dedicated to established and up-and-coming film makers, TCM is showing the 2006 short listed finalists from its popular annual short film competition as well as giving you a glimpse of the star-studded ceremony which takes place as part of the 50th bfi London Film Festival and is hosted by BBC radio broadcaster, DJ and author, Andrew Collins.   There’ll also be a chance to see the winning film and the excellent runners-up from Classic Shorts 2005 including BAFTA-winning short The Banker starring Michael Sheen.  Jane Lloyd, last year’s winner was snapped up by Manchester-born singer David Grey to use as the video for his recently released single Alibi. 

TCM Classic Shorts ceremony

TCM Classic Shorts ceremony takes place on 1st November at the National Film Theatre on London’s South Bank and this year it is proud to be a part of the 50th London Film Festival.  The six short listed films chosen by a celebrity panel of judges are screened to an audience of film industry folk before the winning and two runners up are presented with their prizes.  This year, TCM has been lucky to attract the help and support of directors Terry Gilliam and Sally Potter, actors-turned–directors Matthew Modine and Richard E Grant as well as 007 actor Pierce Brosnan, award-winning writer Stephen Poliakoff and distinguished British actress Imelda Staunton.  Look out for exclusive footage from the awards ceremony on 5th November at 9pm.  Last year’s guest judges included Dame Helen Mirren, Gurinder Chadha and Michael Caton-Jones. 

Star Interviews

There’ll be another chance to see some of the best exclusive interviews from TCM’s popular OFF SET series and during November you’ll be able to enjoy the thoughts of Billy Crystal, Anjelica Huston, Michael Caine and Stephen Fry as they talk about their Hollywood influences, their lives and their careers centre stage.  

The hilarious and talented Billy Crystal gives a fascinating insight into who his favourite comedy actors were and how they have inspired him in his own comedy career.  He also talks about the classic movie genres he has enjoyed the most over the years.   Anjelica Huston reveals what it is like to be born into such an influential Hollywood dynasty which alone can boast three generations of Oscar winners. 

Michael Caine tells us how it was trying to make it as an actor in the 60s and how he was able to break through the class barrier and achieve ultimate success.  Finally, Stephen Fry reveals his love of the movies and his immense admiration for the prolific MGM art director Cedric Gibbons, who, as well as designing the famous Oscar statuette – one of the defining icons of the 20th century - also left his indelible mark on our collective memories with his swirling ‘yellow brick road’ from The Wizard of Oz and his recreation of ancient Rome in Quo Vadis.

Definitive movie-makers

Whilst giving you a sneak preview of tomorrow’s best talent TCM is also showing some definitive movie masterpieces from iconic directors who have proved themselves in Hollywood including Alfred Hitchcock, John Ford, John Huston, John Sturges and George Cukor.  Robert Rodriguez was a raw new talent who burst on to the movie scene 15 years ago with his very low budget El Mariachi which wowed the critics and audiences alike.  El Mariachi is premiered as part of the special weekend of programming on TCM and shows alongside classic thriller North By Northwest, the ground-breaking Bonnie and Clyde, the infuriatingly complex but brilliant The Maltese Falcon, Cukor’s comedy of manners The Philadelphia Story and The Searchers, a classic Western from John Ford.