It’s not often these days that every film in a film festival, large, small, mainstream, even fringe, is truly independent – i.e. fully self-funded by the film-maker.  This spirit of artists doing it for themselves is exactly the kind of spirit that drives Electric Shorts.

Electric Shorts wants to inspire film-makers to do what they’re passionate about, to get their work out there. If you wait around for money from funding bodies or private backers before you start a film, you might be waiting a long time, and your work, your vision might never be seen by anyone.

When Jim Stamatakos, founder and festival director of Electric Shorts found out there weren’t any film events planned for the 2002 Fringe Festival, he decided to do it himself. “We want to inspire upcoming film-makers to do what they’re passionate about. And get their work out there. If you wait around for money from funding bodies or private backers before you start a film, you might be waiting a long time, and your work, your vision might never be seen by anyone.”

Electric Shorts puts together a programme of films fully self funded by twelve diverse film-makers. The films will  display different styles and cover a range of themes.

But lest anyone think independent and diverse means amateurish and uninteresting, they can think again. The films will compel, excite, entertain, shock, provide insight, elicit empathy and possibly, lead to catharsis – everything films can do but often don’t.  After the screenings, there’ll be time, opportunity and inclination  for film-makers and audience to engage in a bit of dialogue, over a drink or two.