SHORTFELLAS IS A WINNER

Q: When is a short film not a short film? A: When it stars five dwarfs robbing a bank to get the money for a feature film.

**********************

Call it what you will, it has made for 3 minutes of hilarious viewing for more than 100,000 people online since it was posted just a few weeks ago.

Here is the backstory. A wacky pair of Newcastle filmmakers, writer/director Richard Johnstone and producer Steve O'Brien (together codenamed 24:25 Films) had it in mind to make a film about dwarves.

A film which, as they put it, is a comedy/drama about little men with big ambitions! Namely to rob a bank and, under duress, also to nick £5m in diamonds.

But take note: these dwarves are more cuddly than criminal. They are altruistic dwarves. They are not stealing for personal enrichment but to pay for a young girl’s operation. Bless.

Johnstone alleges that he was inspired by three notable films : The Italian Job, Ocean's Eleven, and The Full Monty.

And all he and O'Brien need in order to tell their whole story is £1.5 million.

Hence this fast paced 3 minute version of the script to show the money men that even little guys can walk tall at the box office.

Helping their cause were most of the most talented dwarves in the film business, led by veteran Warwick (Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) Davis, who was dramatically paired with by 7ft 7” Neil Fingelton (the UK's Tallest Man).

Their sidekicks included Peter (The 10th Kingdom, Willow, Meet Ricky Gervais) Bonner, Jon (Legend, Labyrinth, The League of Gentlemen) Key, Craig (Harry Potter, Willow, Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights) Salisbury, Graham (The Chronicles of Narnia, Rumplestiltskin, The Libertine) Hughes and Warwick's wife Samantha Burroughs

Obviously these guys are not easy to miss and, sure enough, the 24:25 Films initiative has paid rich dividends with people around the world logging on to check out the dwarf antics on the film's official website www.shortfellasthemovie.co.uk and via YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG9qkOXCDnY

The producers still need more cash to start production on the planned feature length film but things are looking up for these little guys and 24:25 Films hopes to start shooting in the summer of 2008.

Filed December 20, 2007.