Short film qualifies for independent awards

The production company said it secured official selection at two BIFA qualifying festivals

A short film partly shot in Guernsey has qualified for the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).

Whispers of Freedom, written and directed by Guernsey filmmaker Brandon Ashplant, tells the story of Chris Gueffroy, a waiter who tried to flee East Germany after he discovered he was being conscripted to the army.

Its world premiere was held at the Sunderland Shorts Film Festival in May, a qualifying event for BIFA, with an upcoming premier at Worcester Film Festival in September.

In a post on social media, production company Golden Goat Films said securing official selection at both of the BIFA qualifying festivals "paved the way" for the film to qualify for the 2025 BIFA's.

It said: "Per the BIFA rules, a short film must secure official selection into at least two qualifying festivals on the BIFA category B list to be eligible.

"Exciting times ahead."

The film was supported by both Guernsey Arts and the DDR Museum in Berlin.

Mr Ashplant said he was "absolutely thrilled" with the achievement, adding: "It's another example of Guernsey punching above its weight."

"Guernsey is capable of incredible things," he said.

He added: "For us, in the local film sector, it's another demonstration of what filmmakers can do here and what is being done.

"My thanks in particular goes to Guernsey Arts for their invaluable support. Without them, the burgeoning Guernsey film scene would not exist."

The team behind the production said "it beat off several thousand other international short films to win a spot in the official selection line-up".

Mr Ashplant previously said local actors and crew worked alongside international names on the project including former Doctor Who actor Christopher Eccleston, and Oscar nominee Jonathan Tammuz.

"There are too many names to mention, 148 in total, and around 70% them are local. I cannot thank them enough," Mr Ashplant said.