ThreeWeeks talks to Final Cut about their acclaimed annual programme of short films.

ThreeWeeks: Can you tell us something of the history of Final Cut? When did it start? How did it come about?

Final Cut: Final Cut is a short film screening event that takes place in the city of Brighton & Hove every month. Its aim is to provide an opportunity for film-makers to show their work to other film-makers and the general public and to increase the popularity of short films generally. It was established during the 2002 Brighton Festival by Richard Harris, a Brighton-based filmmaker and is now one of the UK’s longest-running and most successful short film screening events.

TW: This year you’re collaborating with Bite Size Theatre. How did it come about?

FC: We’ve teamed up with BST to provide a selection of “surprise” mini-dramas written and performed by local actors. “Surprise” in the sense that the audience will not be told when or where the drama will take place.

TW: What films have stood out for you in past festivals?

FC: We are very proud of the festival programmes we have created over the years as they really do represent the best work from the UK’s most talented filmmakers, many of whom have since achieved considerable success in film and TV. A selection of our personal favourites from last year’s festival can be viewed on the AbsoluteBrightonTV website at www.absolutebrighton.tv

TW: The website looks great. Can you tell our readers a bit about what they can find there?

FC: One of the main features of the site is the Final Cut Archives that contains synopses and images for almost 1,000 films; every film we’ve screened since our creation in May 2002. In addition to this the site contains full details of our 2008 festival screenings, over 40 films from past screenings for viewing by visitors to the site and a special section devoted to the Final Cut series of compilation DVDs that can be purchased online.