Two Minute Masterpiece animated short films now available on BBC iPlayer
Date Posted: September 3, 2020
The successful short films from this year’s Two Minute Masterpiece, in partnership with BBC Arts and Northern Ireland Screen, are now live on BBC iPlayer. Six films were commissioned based on the theme ‘Connection’ to showcase the wonderful diverse range of emerging talent and stories that Northern Ireland’s animators wanted to tell; Lockdown Blues, It Takes Two to Tango, The Draught, Rawr, No More Dead Friends, and World’s Apart.
Two Minute Masterpiece is a talent development initiative that encourages the next generation of filmmakers to push their creative boundaries and reflect their experiences of living in Northern Ireland today.
The chosen filmmakers are paired with an industry mentor and given a production fund of £2000 towards realising their cinematic vision. These commissions are shared on various BBC platforms, with some potentially being screened on BBC Four.
The full list of short films are:
Lockdown Blues
Filmmakers: John Clerkin and Anne Harrison
This short animation by filmmakers John Clerkin and Anne Harrison follows Pat, a retired woman living alone as lockdown hits.
It Takes Two to Tango
Filmmaker: Simon Riley
An homage to the musicals of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Simon Riley’s short animation film It Takes Two to Tango celebrates a chance encounter between two of an empty tube stations residents.
The Draught
Filmmaker: Conor McKelvey
The Draught is Conor McKelvey’s satirical homage to the horror genre and rural Northern Irish life.
Rawr
Filmmaker: Sorcha McGlinchey
In Rawr, Sorcha McGlinchey’s short film, one little girl is faced with a major disappointment during lockdown.
No More Dead Friends
Filmmaker: Laura Robinson
Laura Robinson’s short animated film No More Dead Friends is one of six Two Minute Masterpiece films commissioned from emerging Northern Irish based animators. This film is an intimate portrayal of grief after the loss of a friend.
World’s Apart
Filmmaker: Dermott Burns
In Worlds Apart, Dermott Burns explores loneliness and isolation in today’s society.