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Instead of fighting back, Claudio and co ‘leaned on those mistakes as though they weren’t mistakes’, explains Mukombero. “When these kinds of things happen, they can’t be repeated. I think they add character.” Show and tell Half the battle of any production is simply getting it finished. Marketing and distribution often feel like an afterthought. Claudio researched various film festivals and their submission criteria to see where Rebirth would be eligible. He came across Canon and CVP’s Stories in Motion – a short film competition for young, UK- based filmmakers working across music videos, documentaries and narrative projects – and entered it. “Because it’s a passion project, one of our main aims was just to make the
film. Next was to let audiences see it, take it in, understand and sympathise with this particular story that we felt the need to tell,” details Maisanda. “We didn’t necessarily imagine that it would end up in this or that competition, but now that we’re here it’s really a moment to appreciate,” he says. Since getting involved with Stories in Motion and topping the scripted short category, Claudio explains, “we’ve built such a good relationship with CVP. We have frequent conversations and they’ve opened so many new doors for us.” He concludes: “It changed our lives.” Mukombero echoes this, adding that ‘knowledge is power’. He hopes that, by winning and publicising Stories in Motion, they’ll help more ‘amazing work’ get its moment in the spotlight. After wrapping up post-production, UMD held several private screenings,
showcasing Rebirth to the communities that helped create it, as well as a wider crowd. “That was also nice, to bring it home. It was a good opportunity to finally breathe and show it to people that are, to an extent, friends and family as well. For them to see us succeed is another great joy,” beams Maisanda. After finding out through early screenings that certain viewers weren’t as familiar with the 2011 London riots, UMD created a Rebirth comic book to serve as a prelude to the film. The team also received feedback on the sound design and cinematography, which audiences agreed were of a professional grade, despite the project’s financial limitations. “ Rebirth is a testament to the magic that’s possible,” enthuses Mukombero. Unlike ‘content’ – a word they collectively dislike – “we want to create art. Art that people will stop to appreciate. We want people to be left inspired.”
FOR THEM TO SEE US SUCCEED is another great joy ”
Filmmaker aged 18 to 25?
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U nleash your creativity with the CVP and Canon Stories in Motion short film competition! Submit a documentary, music video, fictional short or commercial for a chance of winning some exciting prizes, including a Canon EOS C80 and the opportunity to shadow an award-winning filmmaker. Entries close 31 March 2025.
LIKE A PAINTING The team drew inspiration from Renaissance images for the short’s scenes
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