JUDGES

  • Joe Bateman
    Joe Bateman
    Festival Director | Rushes Soho Shorts Festival

    Joe Bateman heads up development of the Rushes Soho Shorts Festival programme.
    He started his career as a stage manager for musical festivals and theatre projects in the UK, US and South Africa. He joined City Screen in 1997 and transferred to Curzon Cinemas in 1999 developing the role of Head of Special Programming and Private Events. In 2004, Joe moved to The Hospital Club where he looked after their film and event program, finally settling at Rushes in 2007.

    With over 15 years' adjudicating experience in film festivals, funding bodies and creative initiatives, you can be sure Joe knows a good short when he sees it.

  • Jamie Madge
    Jamie Madge
    Editor | The Reel

    Jamie Madge is Editor of The Reel, an online resource featuring the best advertising, shorts and pop promos from around the world. He also programmes The Reel Presents, their monthly screening of the best short-form work from the site, and frequently judges and hosts panels at short film festivals. He is also fairly short, so has an affinity for the form.

    His favourite film is Back To The Future. He likes people to know this.

  • Luke Snellin
    Luke Snellin
    Director

    Named one of Screen International’s 'Stars of Tomorrow 2010', Luke Snellin's first short film, 'Mixtape', was nominated for a BAFTA in 2010 and won The Grand Prize at VM Shorts. 'Disco', the follow up to 'Mixtape', is currently playing at film festivals.

    He also directed the Old Vic New Voices’ first ever 24 Hour Short Film. 'Jess//Jim' is a gentle story about two people connecting in a big city. Exec produced by Kevin Spacey and featuring British actor Toby Kebbell , the film was conceived, shot, cut and finished in just 24 hours.
    Luke is currently writing the screenplay for his debut feature film 'The Wanderers'.

  • Briony Hanson
    Briony Hanson
    British Council | Director of Film

    As the British Council's Director of Film, Briony Hanson is responsible for the promotion of UK film around the world. She began her career working in cultural exhibition as Director/Programmer of Tyneside Cinema before heading up the BFI Programme Unit. She also acted as a Consultant for Channel 4’s Independent Film department and co-programmed the LLGFF from 1996-2000.

    In 2000, she joined filmmaker training organisation, The Script Factory, and was its Director for over 10 years, developing its programme of activities internationally, programming and chairing live events, and overseeing its web and public profile.

  • Simone Pyne
    Simone Pyne
    Film & Event Programmer | The Hospital Club

    Simone Pyne is Film & Event Programmer
    for The Hospital Club. With a BA in Film Studies and MA in Film and Film Archiving, Simone started her career as an archive film researcher for Associated Press. She has also worked on numerous freelance projects including an award winning documentary on the artist Grayson Perry for Channel 4.

    As well as being Producer of The Smoking Cabinet, she has also been a programmer of guest programmes for several festivals, including The London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, and is also a judge for Rushes Soho Shorts Film Festival.

  • Diane Kelly
    Publicity Director | Universal Pictures UK

    Diane Kelly is Publicity Director at Universal Pictures UK and has been responsible for the publicity across some of Universal's most high-profile and successful films. She has devised and implemented campaigns on titles such as Atonement, Mamma Mia, A Serious Man, Bridesmaids and The Bourne Ultimatum. Prior to Universal she worked at Freud Communications, one of the UK' s leading PR firms where she managed publicity campaigns on films including United 93, Shaun of the Dead, Pride and Prejudice and Love Actually.