Throw Me to the Dogs from Aaron Dunleavy on Vimeo.
A troubled teenage boy, growing up in a dreamless wilderness, is stripped of his dignity as his father abandons him for the outside world which he is trying to retreat from.
Throw Me to the Dogs was made in the northern town of Blackburn with a completely local cast and a shoestring budget. The film was entirely improvised, childhood inspired and street-casted with non-professional actors.
Winning 5 awards, with praise from Academy award-winning director Danny Boyle and The Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw, the film has been screened at some of the most prestigious BAFTA and Oscar® qualifying festivals in the world.
"Gritty, sensitive and stunning. Truly a special short you cannot miss."
No Gloss Film Festival
"The darkness below the surface of everyday teenage life."
Saatchi Gallery Magazine
"Tragically beautiful... The excellence of this film can't be understated."
The New Current
"An effective realism of great intensity. Relationships are expressed perfectly."
CortoLovere Film Festival
"Hard-hitting and nerve-rattling."
Lancashire Telegraph
20 screenings and 5 awards including:
• BFI Future Film Festival - Nominated 'Best Director' (UK, Feb 2016)
• London Short Film Festival (BAFTA qualifying) - Official Selection (UK, Jan 2016)
• 60th Cork Film Festival (BAFTA & Oscar® qualifying) - Official Selection (UK, Nov 2015)
• Aesthetica Film Festival (BAFTA qualifying) - Official Selection (UK, Nov 2015)
• 18th CortoLovere Film Festival - Winner ‘Best Picture’ (Italy, Sep 2015)
• Shuffle Festival - Winner ‘Young Filmmaker’ judged by Danny Boyle (UK, Aug 2015)
• 45th Giffoni Film Festival - Official Selection (Italy, Jul 2015)
