La Belle Folie
A desperate young actress attempts to write, direct and star in her own French period drama, as part of an elaborate attempt to prove to her agent that she is a suitable candidate for a French-language film audition. She ropes in various members of her family and convinces her friend Sally to dress up as the Beast. The results are disastrous.
Made on a microbudget and starring Anna Koval and Sophie Pelham, the film played at numerous festivals including BAFTA-affiliated Underwire.
Official Selection:
Underwire, BAFTA-qualifying festival, London
Shorts on Tap, London
The Box Film Festival, Newbury, UK
Nice International Film Festival, France
Female Film Festival, Toronto, Canada
Shart International Comedy Film Festival, Canada
Carmarthen Bay, BAFTA Cymru qualifying Film Festival, UK
Sunderland Short Film Festival, UK
Cine Pobre Film Festival, Mexico
London International Short Film Festival, UK
Awards:
Best Music, Female Film Festival, Toronto
Nominated for Best Writing: The Monkey Bread Tree Film Awards
Press
"A wonderfully whimsical, gag-tastic short... charming, well written, and slightly bonkers"
- UK Film Review https://www.ukfilmreview.co.uk/single-post/2017/10/23/La-Belle-Folie-short-film
Interview with Matthew Toffolo of Wildsound Film Festival who described it as a"unique and imaginative comedy" - https://matthewtoffolo.com/2017/05/02/interview-with-director-ruth-pickett-le-belle-folie/
Audience feedback video from the Female Film Festival, Toronto: