The 6th London Short Film Festival has announced the shortlist for this year’s prestigious Vauxhall Auteur Theory Award. The 13 shortlisted films were picked from over 600 entries and feature work from some of Britain’s most talented filmmakers who have the potential to become the next Scorsese, Spielberg or Tarantino.

With more entries than ever before, the calibre and quality of this year’s shortlisted films has reached an unprecedented level. The shortlisted films will be judged by a panel of experts and the winner stands to receive a £750 prize with the second place filmmaker taking £250 prize money towards their next filmmaking venture. The shortlisted films will be showcased as part of the 6th London Short Film Festival at the Curzon Soho on the 13th January 2009 and the winning film will be announced on the 15th January 2009 at a ceremony at the Roxy Bar and Screen.

The 13 shortlisted filmmakers come from a variety of locations across the U.K. including Bristol, London and Manchester, which is indicative of the strength and depth of contemporary British filmmaking. The 13 shortlisted films are:

• Ryan (drama), by David Schofield from Greater Manchester
• Hold On Twice (pop promo), by Francois & The Atlas Mountains from Bristol
• The Reason I Collect (animation documentary), by Emma Curtis from Norwich
• Nantes (pop promo/graphic for Beirut), by Gillian Biddle from Preston
• I Do (comedy), by William Westway from Torquay
• Tasty Jam (animation), by Ricky Martin from Bristol
• Keith Reynolds Can’t Make It Tonight (animation), by Felix Massie from Bristol
• Ground Floor Right (documentary), by Marlene Schiott Rasmussen from London
• A Small Silent Film About Death (comedy), by Steve Rainbow
• Eric’s Secrets (comedy), by Lucia Ashmore from London
• Love & Haight Ashbury (docu-drama), by Abbie Brandon from Nottingham
• Car (comedy), by Richard Nockles from London
• Project One (Skate), by Yohan Forbes from London