Joseph Barnett’s LAFVA-funded Guilty by Nature was recently awarded The LUX Award for Best Experimental Film at this year’s Halloween Short Film Festival (5 – 14 January).

Barnett’s film was chosen from a selection of short form works by experimental / artist film-makers, including Inger Lise Hansen, Simon Ellis and Ben Rivers. The films screened under the Leftfield and Luscious section of the festival which was shown at the ICA on 8 January.

Set on a militant horticultural nursery, Guilty By Nature follows the life cycle of a wild and vigorous shrub; exploring ideas of individuality and persecution. The film is shot with extreme close-ups, varied frame rates and an exaggerated soundscape.

Now in its fourth year, the Halloween Short Film Festival presents an offbeat and eclectic range of short works, encompassing animation, music videos and experimental films. Live performances from film-makers, VJs and various bands also feature in the programme. Work can be submitted on all formats but must be under 20 minutes in length.

This year’s festival takes place across three venues; Curzon Soho, ICA and Roxy Bar & Screen.

More information on the festival can be found at: www.shortfilms.org.uk.