​The first Shiny Showcase lights up Saatchi London​

 Attendees from production and post companies, agencies, and brands gathered to view nine great films. Over 70% of the shortlist were films by directors from under-represented demographics, a hallmark of Shiny’s drive to move the needle on director diversity.

Saatchi Executive Producer Rose Reynolds, creative team Rory Peyton-Jones & Elliot Lee and The Audience selected winners, and the event sponsors contributed additional prizes.

Winners

Rose Reynolds’ Choice: Shrooms - By Rhys Harvey Watkins, a second-year animation student, this piece won a meeting with Reynolds and a VFX tech session with Covert’s team. 

Rory Peyton-Jones & Elliot Lee’s Choice: We’ve Been Here Before - Created by Jeremi Durand, a new signing to Rebel at Rogue Films, this powerful work earned a meeting with the Saatchi team and sound design advice from Factory. 

Audience Choice: The Pie Den - Directed by freelance talent Eren Kaplan, this film secured a location package from LS Productions and a studio day with lighting, plus a career advice session with Park Village.

Saatchi also ran an interview by Peyton-Jones & Lee with new director Louis McCourt, signed to Love Song and who recently directed a TVC with Saatchi. They explored McCourta’ routes into directing, as a northern working class boy and how his approach to work hooked the attention of Love Song and Saatchi.

“It was great to see the directors in the room make meaningful connections with the industry people,” said Caroline Bottomley from Shiny. “It was a fun and happy evening, and we’re looking forward to seeing what they all go on to make next. Huge thanks to everyone who helped make this first Showcase possible!” 

See the full Showcase shortlist and Shiny's future events here.