BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, has today announced the ten shortlisted entries for the Digital Revolutions short film competition. Five films from each category; Amateur and Professional, were selected by a panel of experts including, Kevin MacDonald, Oscar winning director of One Day in September and David Bond, director of award winning documentary, Erasing David.

To take part, entrants were asked to create short films of up to three minutes, which show how digital technology has impacted their lives, communities or society.

Elizabeth Sparrow, President, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT said:

“The entries contained some very powerful personal stories.  Several in particular highlight how the disempowered have been truly empowered by technology.  These stories have demonstrated that technology impacts the most important things in our lives.  As the Chartered Institute for IT, ensuring that people have the skills and ability to access such an enabling tool is one of the most important elements of our work.”

Frank Boyd, Creative Director, Crossover, competition judge, said:

“Both in terms of style and content, we received a diverse range of films which cover a broad range of topics and explore the impact of technology on society in very different ways.”

The shortlisted candidates have each been awarded a ‘Golden Ticket’ to attend the annual Sheffield Doc/Fest (3-7 November), which includes access to over 100 films and 50 sessions plus travel and accommodation.  The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday 5 November.

The shortlisted entries are as follows:

Amateur Category

‘Limited connectivity’ by Nic Shaw


The story of Robin, a devout music fan, who owns a vinyl shop in Islington and is against everything that technology has done to music – from MP3s to illegal internet downloads. His disgust of technology is reversed when his girlfriend moves to Paris and he is left with no other way to stay in touch with her.

‘This chair is not me’ by Andy Taylor-Smith

While cerebral palsy confines Alan Martin to a wheelchair and inhibits his speech, he refuses to limit himself. When he gains access to technology that enables him to find a voice, his life is transformed.

‘Why digital technology is important to me. And my family. And my farm’ by Christine Conder

Christine explains how digital technology impacts her life, her relationships with her family and how it helps her run her farm.

‘My digital revolution: building a log home’ by John McIntosh

This is the story of John McIntosh, who after finding an online community, the ‘Log Home Builders Association’, was able to build his own log home in Canada – allowing him to escape the high property prices in London and continue to run his business via the internet.

‘Together – how technology changed my life’ by Mirko Pincelli

The story of how technology brought together a Grandmother and her Granddaughter, who live miles apart.

Professional Category

‘The scanner’ by Edward McGown

Dr Alastair Garfield and Kate McAllister MA show how the latest computing technology influences the lives of patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome – a rare genetic condition that causes near permanent hunger, leading in turn to chronic obesity.

‘Little brother is watching you’ by Simon Wan

This film looks at the small, but equally important applications of digital technology through the eyes of James, an 8-year-old boy who misses his older brother, Robert.

‘Love bytes’ by Frederick Perraut

This film tells the story of Justine, who shows us how she searches for love online. As Justine is blind, technology is an invaluable tool allowing her to communicate and develop relationships.

‘Pub quiz’ by Alex Ash

This film addresses the mobile phone as a silent player on the pub quiz team. At first, it enabled us to ‘phone a friend’.  Now it is able to wirelessly search online or use applications capable of sound or picture recognition.

‘Night Games’ by Stephen Atherton

Obsessed with computer games, Stephen Atherton’s confessional explains his inability to draw himself away from the fantasy land – leaving him up most nights until 4am!

About BCS Pioneers

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, is sharing the stories of five Information Pioneers who truly enabled the information society. Videos coming soon!

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