The Crossing, which has been supported by the actress Emma Thompson, is in the running for the prestigious Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Research Film of the Year award.
Hundreds of films were submitted for the awards this year and the overall winner of each category will be announced at a special ceremony at BAFTA in London on Thursday, 10 November.
Dr Patel, Senior Lecturer in Film and Television Production at Anglia Ruskin University, said: “The Crossing was designed to demonstrate how the exploitation of the trust and hope of those trafficked fuels a multibillion dollar black market economy trading in over 21 million people a year, a third of whom are children. The reaction to the multi-screen installation has been overwhelmingly emotional.
“It is heart-warming to have the project shortlisted for the awards, especially as so many talented people including our patron, Emma Thompson, generously gave their time and support to highlight this contentious and complex issue.”
The Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Research in Film Awards celebrate short films, up to 30 minutes long, that have been made about the arts and humanities, and their influence on our lives. There are five categories in total with four aimed at the research community and one open to the public.
Mike Collins, Head of Communications at the Arts and Humanities Research Council, said: “The standard of film-making in this year’s Research in Film Awards has been exceptionally high and the range of themes covered span the whole breadth of arts and humanities subjects.
“While watching the films I was impressed by the careful attention to detail and rich story telling that the film-makers had used to engage their audiences. The quality of the shortlisted films further demonstrates the endless potential of using film as a way to communicate and engage people with academic research. Above all, the shortlist showcases the art of film-making as a way of helping us to understand the world that we live in today.”
The judges for the 2016 Research in Film Awards include Glasgow School of Art Director Professor Tom Inns, and writer, broadcaster and film critic Danny Leigh.
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For more press information please contact:
Jon Green on t: 01245 68 4717, e: jon.green@anglia.ac.uk
Jamie Forsyth on t: 01245 68 4716, e: jamie.forsyth@anglia.ac.uk
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