Abingdon Film Unit

The Abingdon Film Unit (AFU) is a small organisation that enables secondary school pupils between the ages of 13 and 18 to make their own short documentary or animated films under the guidance of a team of industry professionals led by the renowned documentary maker Michael Grigsby. Based at Abingdon School the AFU was formed in 2003 by Grigsby and a teacher at the school, Jeremy Taylor. The AFU currently has several tutors; Jonas Mortensen (cinematography), Mikkel Eriksen (sound design), Arvid Eriksson (editing) and animators Joanna Harrison and Geoff Dunbar. The Unit has so far produced forty-two short films. Many of the Unit's work carry resemblances to Grigsby's own work, and he encourages the pupils engage in the art of poetic filmmaking.

Acclaim

Seven of the Unit's films have been screened at the NFT in London and two at the British Film Festival in Dinard, France. AFU films have also won first prize at the Oxdox International Film Festival (2005) and the New Shoots Festival (2006 & 2007). A large-scale film about Cambodia called 'Gravel and Stones' has been nominated at several film festivals including the London International Documentary Festival and another short documentary called 'The Underground Village' won third place at the National Young Filmmakers' Award at the Leeds Young People's Film Festival. The AFU is gaining a large and impressive name for itself, having had large articles published in renowned film magazine 'Vertigo' as well as several local television and newspaper appearances.

Gravel and Stones

The AFU's largest work to date is a documentary about Cambodia called 'Gravel and Stones' which recently had its own premiere at the BFI Southbank. The film focuses on the devastating effects of the land mines on the people of Cambodia, and was made with support of LMDS (http://www.lmdsupport.org.uk).

External Links

[http://www.abingdonfilmunit.com] Official Site