Makez Rikweda 4th Short, FAT GIRL Puts Influencers On Notice – At Hollyshorts

Director: Makez Rikweda
Title: Fat Girl
Distribution: Independent
Release Date: Aug 1, 2023

Beneath the gloss and candy-coloured Tik Tok world of director Makez Rikweda’s FAT GIRL lies some very dark undercurrents including: binge eating disorder,  social isolation and a graphic DIY lip job. The short film follows teenager Lexi whose obsession with her favourite influencer leads her down a dark path of destruction in a bid to look like her. 

The idea for the story came to Makez during a family dinner in which a young Kylie Jenner-loving cousin’s lip burst, revealing just how pervasive cosmetic enhancements were among teenagers and how far they were willing to go to achieve these new beauty standards, even if they didn’t have the money. It proved to be a very popular topic among young girls, with hundreds answering the open-call audition and many more resorting to directly hounding the team on their social media to try to get an audition. 

Fat Girl is the debut fiction film from London-based filmmaker Makez whose past works include the award-winning documentaries ONLY VOICE REMAINS (2019) and YOUNG AFGHANS (2013), as well as the visual art film, SOUND OF THE BIRDS (2022) which is currently being exhibited in galleries in California and Berlin. Makez is also the producer behind the 2016 Raindance ‘Best UK Series’ winner, ‘BLOOD, SWEAT & CHOKES’ and the upcoming queer comedy, LATE TO THE PARTY (2023). Alongside her film career, Makez has worked extensively in television, producing and directing for clients including Al Jazeera English, France 24, China Global Television, Associated Press, Adobe, Teen Vogue, ITN Productions, and the BBC. 

The film was co-produced by Don Omope, the British-Nigerian talent behind the box office smash hits WEDDING PARTY and WEDDING PARTY 2 which are currently streaming on Netflix, as well as Sol Rikweda, a former Met Film graduate and BBC Studios producer currently working for Soho-based The Look, Emma Keeling, a New Zealand producer and director with over 25 years experience working for major international networks, and Clarissa Itschert, a German creative producer with thirteen fiction shorts and commercial work for Peloton. 

The phenomenal cinematography has been created by National Film and Television graduate Rui Jiang Ong whose recent films include the BAFTA-winning ‘DO NOT FEED THE PIGEONS’ and ‘WATAMULA’, as well as work for brands including Disney, GQ, BULGARI, Universal Music and Harper’s Bazaar.

Lastly, Fat Girl’s crew was made up of more than 50% women and non-binary members, as well as a diverse cast and production team.

Fat Girl will screen at Holly Shorts Film Festival. 

About Makez Rikweda

Makez Rikweda is a British-Afghan filmmaker based in London. She made her first short documentary as part of the National Film and Television School’s prestigious ‘Summerdocs‘ program at age 19. She followed this with Young Afghans in 2011, made in conjunction with ORTV and Al Jazeera English, which followed the hopes and dreams of three students at Kabul University. In 2016, she produced a four-part documentary series called Blood, Sweat & Chokes, and it was selected for the Guardian pitch at Sheffield Doc/Fest and won Raindance Film Festival’s ‘Best UK Series’ prize.

A year later, Makez was selected for Sheffield Doc/Fest’s prestigious ‘Doc/Next’ program as part of which she developed her award-winning documentary, Only Voice Remains. The hybrid film about Iranian poet and feminist icon, Forugh Farrokhzad, was selected for over 15 international film festivals and won the Sepanta Prize for Best Documentary at the Iranian Film Festival in San Francisco and ‘Best Short Documentary’ at the Williamsburg International Film Festival.

Both Young Afghans and Only Voice Remains were picked up for distribution by Docunight. During this same period, Makez was recognized by Channel 4 as an emerging BAME filmmaker and given bespoke director training at the National Film and Television School. She continued her fiction training under the Iranian auteur Mohsen Makhmalbaf and is currently in post production on two fiction shorts. -makezrikweda.com

About HollyShorts Film Festival

In the heart of the entertainment capital, where dreams are woven into celluloid and storytelling comes alive on the silver screen, lies a cinematic extravaganza that celebrates the art of short films like no other. Welcome to the enchanting world of HollyShorts Film Festival – a premier event that has become a mecca for emerging filmmakers, industry veterans, and cinephiles alike. With its eclectic lineup of captivating shorts and vibrant atmosphere, HollyShorts continues to captivate audiences, bridging the gap between imagination and reality.

For over a decade, HollyShorts has stood as a beacon for innovative storytellers, offering a platform for filmmakers to showcase their creativity and ingenuity in concise and compelling narratives. The festival embraces a wide range of genres, from drama and comedy to animation and documentary, reflecting the diverse tapestry of human experiences.

HollyShorts has earned its reputation as a breeding ground for emerging talent, with numerous success stories of filmmakers making their mark on the industry after being discovered at the festival. Its commitment to nurturing fresh voices has turned it into a coveted launchpad, offering aspiring directors, writers, and actors a chance to shine on a global stage.

Beyond the captivating screenings, HollyShorts treats attendees to a lineup of engaging panels, workshops, and discussions led by industry veterans and creative luminaries. These sessions provide invaluable insights into the craft of filmmaking, distribution strategies, and the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment.

HollyShorts is more than just a film festival; it’s a community of artists, enthusiasts, and visionaries who share a common love for storytelling. The festival’s inclusive and vibrant atmosphere fosters connections, collaborations, and friendships that often extend beyond the duration of the event.

As the cinematic world continues to evolve, HollyShorts remains a steadfast champion of short films, celebrating their ability to deliver powerful narratives in compact yet impactful ways. With its unwavering commitment to creativity, innovation, and the magic of storytelling, HollyShorts Film Festival ensures that the art of the short film remains alive and thriving.

Content provided by: London Flair
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