Dublin-based director Edward King's short film 'The Blaxorcist' picked up the Melies d'Argent award for Best Short Film last Friday 24th August at Finland’s Espoo Cine Film Festival.
‘The Blaxorcist’, filmed on location in Dublin, was funded by the Irish Film Board and made as part of their ‘Short Shorts’ scheme. The four minute long comedy follows the story of a young white girl who has been possessed by soul music, and Father Ferris’ attempts to rid her of her musical demons.
The Espoo Film Fest Jury described the short as: “A great idea, a funny compact, film that’s a fresh exception inside the horror film genre.”
“I was delighted when I heard the news,” said King. “I am thankful to everyone that worked together on making it, and the IFB for their generous funding. I wanted to make a unique, new Irish film, with a black theme running through it. The film is a homage to the American soul music greats, like James Brown.”
‘The Blaxorcist’, which premiered at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh, will also selected for the Best First Short category at the Dingle Film Festival, which takes place from the 6th-9th September, adjudicated by Alan Parker.
The short film now goes on to take part in the final Golden Melies d'Or award at the Fantastik Film Festival in Lund, Sweden in September for Best European Short.
The short features actors Marcus Valentine, Tim Dillard, Donna Nikolaisen, Naula Kelly and Emma West. DP on the project was Patrick Jordon, with music by Brendan Campbell. The film is produced by Brendan McCarthy and edited by Conor McMahon.
