Last weekend (Sunday 16th March), a panel of industry experts from best selling authors to Emmy nominees chose three short film projects to go into production this year, with finance from Isle of Man Film and production support and training from Island based film scheme MannIN Shorts.

Six finalist writers - shortlisted by Hollywood reader Julie Gray last month from an original 46 entries - paired up with Producers and, after a series of workshops run by the training scheme, the teams presented their projects to a panel chaired by Mike Reaney of Isle of Man Film. The successful films, which can now apply to receive 50% of each of their budgets from Isle of Man Film, are:

• “The Battle of Ronaldsway” by James Franklin, Produced by Mark Brabbs
• “Breathless” by Shawn Sturnick, Produced by Angela Campbell and Jennifer Chance, and
• “Muck” by John Craine, Produced by Bev Lawley

The full panel working alongside Mr Reaney included best selling author Chris Ewan, whose ‘Good Thiefs Guide’ series is being developed for US TV by 20th Century Fox. Chris said “It was a real honour to be part of the judging process. The standard of entries was incredibly high and the professionalism of all involved was striking. I’m thrilled for the three winning film projects and can’t wait to see the completed films this September."

Also on the panel were Emmy nominated props master and set dresser Sally Black (who worked alongside Ridley Scott on ‘Body of Lies’ and ‘Kingdom of Heaven’), award winning writer and independent producer Alistair Audsley, International Sales Executive at Stealth Media Distribution Ewan Dunbar and Community Development Manager for Isle of Man Arts Council and Manx Arts Development Emma Callin.

Mike Reaney said that he was surprised by “..the diversity in tone and style, but all teams presented strong ideas, clear identity and originality and it was a closely fought race. All the panel agreed that the six teams should all pursue their goals to raise the budget and get their films made, and I think they’ve all learned enough about writing and producing to achieve that – thanks in no small part to the MannIN Shorts scheme.”

Alistair Audsley added: “It is a very real-world aspect of producing that you have to continually pitch to different sources. As such, I hope that for the films which did not achieve finance here, the teams will persevere and get their films made.”

“The teams worked so hard on this” said MannIN Shorts’ Christy DeHaven. “The presentations had everything from sizzle reels to mood boards to beautifully branded cupcakes! They were all very impressive, and to think all but one of the Producers have never done this before.. it was inspiring to witness.”

Emily Cook, recently recruited to help administer and run the film training scheme, explained: “Through one on one mentoring and through a practice pitch in the lead up to the official panel presentation, we provided valuable opportunities for our pitchers to hone their presentations, re-address their scripts and be constructively challenged on their proposed films. The development over this period was exciting to be a part of.” The three films will now look to shoot on the Island in May, June and July by crews made up of a mix of professionals and trainees and will be previewed at the 2014 Isle of Man Film Festival in September.

Successful writer James Franklin added: “As someone who writes it's rare to have the stamp of approval and success on something, so the result was amazing for me! But regardless of the outcome, it was a special day in its affording me the chance to get to hang out with and feel a part of a community of Manx writers and Creatives. For me, that is almost worth as much as the film-making that is now to follow.”

The results were announced as news came in that MannIN Shorts film 'Closet', shot in 2012, has been accepted to be screened at the prestigious Boston LGBT Film Festival, and shortly after Sonya Quayle - who first Directed on the MannIN Shorts film 'I Do' - completed filming of her award winning screenplay 'Him Upstairs' in Liverpool with Ricky Tomlinson and Gwen Porter.

Photo - taken by EMILY COOK (l-r) Christy DeHaven, co-Founder of MannIN Shorts, James Franklin, writer of "The Battle of Ronaldsway", Shawn Sturnick, writer & Director of "Breathless", John Craine, writer of "Muck", Dave Armstrong, co-Founder of MannIN Shorts.