A short film produced by a DMU academic is ‘being considered’ for an Oscar

It’s the golden statuette that every filmmaker dreams of, and it has the power to transform winners into global superstars.

Now academics from De Montfort University in Leicester (DMU) and a team of DMU students are turning their eyes to Hollywood as a short film they were involved in is “considered” for an Oscar.

Ryan Can’t Read movie poster

From 2022, Professor Jason Lee, screenwriter and author, will employ students on British Academy-funded films run by Evolution Film – the production company founded by Professor Lee with Jones Bamber Productions.

Terry Bamber, production director of six James Bond films, founded the Leicester Media School at DMU in 2015 with Professor Lee.

Their British Academy-funded project aimed to improve the position of people who are often marginalized in the film industry, including people with disabilities and mental illness.

The result of collaboration with previous Oscar winners was Slick Films Ryan can’t read – directed by Rhys Chapman and co-written by him with the film’s star Lewis Ian Bray, telling the honest story of a young man’s struggle with illiteracy and his fight to regain his dignity.

The film was a success at festivals, gaining recognition from legendary British director Ken Loach, and after its international premiere in Japan, it won the Grand Jury Prize at the Edmonton International Film Festival.

This victory means Ryan can’t read has officially qualified for the 97th Academy Awards. Academy members can now watch the film and vote on the nomination for the world’s most prestigious film award.

Professor Lee said: “This is great news for everyone involved.

Producer and DMU professor Jason Lee says it’s “great news.”

“In total, over 120 cast and crew members have been professionally employed on Evolution Film productions to date.

“It’s a great opportunity to learn all aspects of filmmaking and provide students with an experience that I think will be difficult to achieve at this point in their careers.

“These films are a testament to the power of teamwork and the magic of cinema.

“As a scientist and writer, it has been great to empower people in the film industry; We have witnessed tangible employment benefits for DMU students.”

Nik Lountzis, a postgraduate student at DMU in Film and Product Placement, was filming behind the scenes during the making of the film.

He said: “Working behind the scenes of Ryan Can’t Read was an amazing experience for me as a DMU student.

“The producer was exceptionally supportive, making my role as cinematographer and behind-the-scenes operator much easier, and the entire team – from cast to crew – demonstrated a high level of professionalism.

“I was very impressed with the cinematic quality of the equipment, which added depth to the story, and the acting of the actors was captivating.

“Interviewing the cast and crew allowed me to gain valuable information, and the exposure to many talented filmmakers has truly enriched my experience and is extremely beneficial to my future film career.”

Another DMU graduate, Filip Rau, also worked on the production of Evolution Film Up and down (Richard Elson, 2023) while studying.

He said: “The support and encouragement from the team increased my confidence and self-esteem… the atmosphere remained positive and supportive.

“I was selected as a substitute, which I felt was a huge honor. This experience continues Up and down it was priceless. I learned a lot, met some amazing people and gained a new respect for the hard work that goes into filmmaking.”

Published on Thursday, November 21, 2024