Sound of the Somme

Original Title|Sound of the Somme

Drama, War | 13' | 2025 (Completed)

All images & Videos

(15 images)

Director	Michaël Vermaercke
Writer	Alexander Menu
Producent Contact	Elena Reynaert

Full credits

During World War I, a Canadian Army bagpiper decides to defy his orders and harness the strength of music to save his regiment of total annihilation during the horrifying Battle of the Somme.

studio.quilomboproductions.be

synopsis

Een aangrijpende kortfilm over moed en opoffering, gebaseerd op het waargebeurde verhaal van James C. Richardson. Tijdens de Slag aan de Somme leidt de Schotse jongeman zijn kameraden de strijd in met niets dan zijn doedelzak, te midden van chaos en dood. Zijn muziek inspireert, overwint angst en verandert het verloop van de aanval. Dit visueel indrukwekkende en emotioneel meeslepende oorlogsdrama brengt een ode aan de kracht van muziek en de menselijke geest in de meest wanhopige momenten van de geschiedenis.

Credits

Director
Michaël Vermaercke
Writer
Alexander Menu
Producent Contact
Elena Reynaert

Format

Creation details

Type
Film
Production share
Majority Flemish Production
Belgium
Genre
Drama, War
Year of production

2025
Production status
Completed
Original title
Sound of the Somme

Technical specs

Running time
13'
Aspect ratio
2:1 (18:9)
Colour
Colour

Contact & sales

Distribution
Premium Films, Associak Distribuzione (IT)

Festivals & awards

Festivals

2026: Film Festival Oostende (BE),; Red Poppy Film Festival (AUS); Fastnet Film Festival (IR); Frame Kortfilmfestival (BE); Julien Dubuque International Film Festival (USA); Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival (USA); FP Arts Short Film Festival (UK); Internationales Filmfest Emden-Norderney (DE); Milano Film Fest (IT); Garda Cinema Film Festival (IT); Andaras Traveling Film Festival (IT); Festival Internazionale Del Cinema Povero (IT); Flagstaff International Film Festival (USA); West Sound Film Festival (USA); Black Cat Picture Show (USA); International Historical Fiction Film Festival (FR); Cobb International Film Festival (USA); Shnit Worldwide Shortsfestival (AUS); AFIN International Film Festival (AUS); Centaur International Film Festival of South Pelion (GR); Slough Motion Film Festival (FR) 2025: Rhode Island International Film Festival (USA); Indy Shorts International Film Festival (USA); San Jose International Short Film Festival (USA); Big Bear Film Festival (USA); Birmingham film festival (UK); Round Top Film Festival (USA)

Awards

2026: Best Production Design, Best Original Score, Best Costume Design, Best Producer - FP Arts Short Film Festival (UK); Short Narrative - Black Cat Picture Show (USA); Best Short Narrative Cinematography - West Sound Film Festival (USA); Best Short Film - Flagstaff International Film Festival (USA); Best Wardrobe - Cobb International Film Festival (USA) 2025: Best Sound Design, Best Costume - Birmingham film festival (UK); Best Director, Best Live Action Short Drama - Round Top Film Festival (USA) 2019: Best Short Script - Irvine International Film Festival (USA) 2018: Grand Prize Best International Screenplay - Rhode Island International Film Festival (USA), Best Screenplay - West Field Screenwriting Awards (USA), Best short Screenplay - Barcelona International Film Festival (ESP), Best Short Screenplay - Near Nazareth Film Festival (ISR), Jury Prize Best Screenplay - MedFF (IT), Festival Prize Best Short Screenplay - American Gem Short Script Contest & Literary Festival (USA), SPFF Trophy Best Screenplay - São Paulo Film Festival (BRA)