BBC Home

Explore the BBC

12th July 2009
Accessibility help
Text only

BBC Homepage
Film
Contact Us


Like this page?
Send it to a friend!
 
New visitors:  Create your membership
Returning members:  Sign in
DramaComedyDocumentaryAnimationExperimentalMusic
Dog Years
Richard Penfold & Sam Hearn
average rating from 83 members 
       
comedy | 2004 | South West | 4 min
Published 22 Mar 05
Ben, 39, castrated mongrel, needs love. GSOH essential.
email iconsend to a friend
   PLAY NOW
Requires windows media player or
real player.

some strong language
synopsis
Ben, 39, castrated mongrel, needs love. GSOH essential.

This film has chosen to be part of the BBC's Summer of British Film: Love & Romance season. For more info please visit: BBC Summer of British film
short fact
Made on a budget of £4.90 for ham and sausages this Super 8mm short film was shot on 1x50 ft roll and edited in-camera under the Joy of 8mm initiative. The first time we viewed the finished film together with its soundtrack was at the event itself in front of an audience. Since then, it's been travelling the world to spread the word of love at prestigious festivals in London, Rotterdam, Aspen and perhaps most significantly the 1st International Dog Film Festival, Philadelphia.

The Joy of 8mm is open to all who apply, visit the website for more information. www.joyof8.org
crew
cast
  • Ben Ben Batton
  • Owner Morgwn Atkins
  • Voice Over Richard Haigh
festivals, awards and screenings include:
  • Winner Audience Award – First International Dog Film Festival, Philadelphia 2005
  • Winner Jury Award – First International Dog Film Festival, Philadelphia 2005
  • Winner of the Audience Award - The cheap, fast and out of control strand, Halloween Film Festival / Commonwealth Film Festival, Manchester 2005
  • Winner of the UK Film Council Audience Award - Brief Encounters, 2004
  • Winner of the ITV West Award for Outstanding Talent - Brief Encounters, 2004
  • Winner of the Audience Award - The Blue Room, Edinburgh Mediabase, March 2005
  • The Curzon Soho-various dates to screen before a feature film
  • 34th International Rotterdam Film Festival
    Bristol Showcase
  • 59th Kinofilm Short Film Festival, Manchester 2005
  • 1st Annual International Dog Film Festival, Philadelphia, USA 2005
  • The Halloween Short Film Festival ICA, London 2005
  • Commonwealth Film Festival, Manchester 2005
  • Prends ça Court! World Short Film Series 2005
  • 28th Portland International Film Festival, Oregon USA 2005
  • Club Flix Launch, Bath 2005
  • The 14th Edition of Aspen, Colorado USA 2005
  • The LA Film Festival, USA 2005
  • Future Shorts 2004
  • The Bigger Picture, Manchester 2005
  • Brief Encounters Film Festival, Bristol 2004
  • Bath Film Festival 2004
  • Cinéformation 2004
  • QEH South West Showcase 2004
  • The Joy Of 8mm 2004
  • Best of British DVD - ICO Brief Encounters on Tour 2005
    • format
    Super 8
    budget
    £4.90
    © 2004 Richard Penfold & Sam Hearn

    comments
    subscribe/unsubscribe to receive email alerts for new comments on this film
    more about email alerts 
    comment by Nick  Barrett
    		 Click this button if you think this comment breaks the house rules
    posted Jan 3, 2008

    Loved it! Wonderful idea, wonderful script (...'i'm 39 years old and a leo' ....superb) and Richard Haigh made the film completely, a truly wonderful deadpan delivery of a fantastically funny little script. FIve stars, more please!
    comment by Steve  Piper
    		 Click this button if you think this comment breaks the house rules
    posted May 24, 2007

    Sweet and funny. Although the 8mm looks great I don't know how well it works with the rest of the film, cool idea though.
    Steve  Piper is Filmmaker and MD at production company Coffee Films and a member of Film Network's Industry Panel.
    comment by Emma  Ellinson
    		 Click this button if you think this comment breaks the house rules
    posted Oct 11, 2006

    an excellent short and it works really well and it has a sweet ending. Fantastic
    comment by Valerie  Upton
    		 Click this button if you think this comment breaks the house rules
    posted Sep 10, 2006

    Having just completed research for a masters degree into the health benefits of dog ownership - i found this film inspiring! The humour is fantastic - the film style takes me back to my childood - being filmed on 8mm with my dog Ben on Morecambe beach! Good luck in your future ventures!

    val upton
    comment by Frederick  Stacey
    		 Click this button if you think this comment breaks the house rules
    posted May 29, 2006

    Superb film and I agree with the other poster - the character is really brought to life by the voiceover.

    add your comments  
    Click ! on a comment that breaks the house rules
    send someone a message
    You can message anyone whose name appears as a link by clicking through to their profile page.
    alert editors
    If you were involved with this film and notice any errors on this page, please email the editors.
    rate this film
    5     
    4     
    3     
    2     
    1     

    see comments on this film 
    add your comments  
    stills gallery 
    view
    gallery
    useful links
    film network submission
    This film was chosen by the Film Network team through our online submissions process.

    funded by
    Camera provided by Joyof8, stock provided by Kodak, telecine by Rushes.
    more shorts with similar themes

    This film is included in the film catalogue under the following themes:

    Film Network Submissions Index


    About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy