Homespun Yarns have announced that their sixth competition screening event will take place on November 21st at Ministry of Sound - and for the first time the winning film will be chosen after a combined vote of the competition's judges and the audience attending the event.

The three films commissioned this year for the filmmaking competition from Homespun, content and music video division of Stitch Editing, explored the brief ‘1000 Words’ and entrants were invited to work up a story idea based on a single image that had to be central to their concept. The image was provided to Homespun Yarns by photographer Josh Kern through Kodak.

The final films are: Simon Is A Pr*ck, directed by Amelia Dimoldenberg; 4x6, directed by Jamie Gyngell; and Take Me, directed by Claire Norowzian & Catherine Humble. All three will be premiered at the screening to an
audience of 350 and, in traditional Homespun style, the night will be real celebration of filmmaking talent.

Those involved in creating the films this year, through their time, expertise and sponsorship are Kodak, The Panavision Group, Wave Music, Universal Music, Globe, Nineteen Twenty, Freefolk and Slingshot.

As Homespun Yarns' Alice Clarke explains, previous winners have been entirely chosen by audience vote on the night at the final screening event, but it was time to do it somewhat differently, and give equal footing to the event's panel of industry judges in the final decision. 

“In the past it has been entirely audience vote on the night but the idea behind this is to get a balanced viewpoint from across the industry and a chance for the films to be considered for their merit by four experts with specialist experience, as well as the Homespun Yarns audience," says Clarke.

"The vote will be split 50/50, with the judges casting their votes prior to the screening and will be combined with the audience vote on the night. We have four fantastic judges and it’s a privilege to have such an esteemed panel on board to be part of Yarns. We also have another couple of soon to be announced treats for this year that we are very excited about!”

The judges are: Jordan McGarry, head of new talent and production at Film London; Tom Tagholm, director at Park Pictures; Anna Arnell, creative partner at And Rising; and Andy Gulliman of Granville Gulliman, and founder of the Saatchi New Creator Showcase.

Anna Arnell commented on her involvement; “Nobody's film career takes off by sitting at home thinking about films. You have to get out and make them. Homespun Yarns gives talent the opportunity to do just that. It’s an honour to be judging this competition.”

Homespun Yarns is an entirely not-for-profit initiative, has consistently identified the next wave of directing talent and provides finalists with a unique platform to turn their treatments into fully-formed short films with the support of the industry’s foremost talent.

For further details on the event and the competition go to: www.homespunyarns.tv