2020/2021 Winners & Shortlists

Write a short summary of what happens in the film

There’s a magical feeling when you’re in charge. When you have the total freedom to do what you please. So we captured this sentiment. Opening on grand castles, we follow dictators through medieval castles, banquet halls in the Dark Ages, early Asian palaces and Ancient Egyptian kingdoms. We see them command halls, speak to the masses and make orders about the most mundane things – playing with the cat, chilling in their underwear or just doing absolutely nothing. In a quick snap back to reality we see that all these people aren’t actually kings and queens, they just feel that way when they have total control over their space.

Tell the jury anything relevant about the direction. Do not name the director.

This film was directed to be epic, but comic. Everything from the music, to the scenes to the pacing builds as it progresses. The humor lies in the contrast between these lavish royal settings and what the kings and queens are doing in them, which is absolutely nothing. So, we ensured every performance veered toward overly dramatic without crossing the line to cheesy territory. By focusing on a poetic yet witty spirit we infused subtle absurdist humor we were able to create a film that was eye-catching and connected with the audience through sensations and emotions.