BY DIRECTOR: W

In a short time Taika Waititi has not only proven himself one of the most gifted comedy-writers in contemporary cinema, he has forged a specific vision of the world that retains a child-like innocence whilst teetering on the edge of rudeness. After a number of successful shorts, Waititi made a splash internationally with 'Eagle vs. Shark' (2007) an oddball romance that balances quirkiness with genuine emotion. The same is true of 'Boy' (2010), which was completed after a short stint writing and directing episodes of 'Flight of the Conchords'. An amusing role in the otherwise forgettable 'The Green Lantern' (2011) raised his profile further – and highlighted the attention Hollywood was paying to him – and he brought his skill for jubilant juvenile antics to episodes of 'The Inbetweeners'. 'What We Do in the Shadows' (2014) extended a 2005 short to a feature. For all its ingenuity and silliness, the film feels like a novel idea stretched to capacity. Whereas the recent 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople', with its sparky chemistry between Sam Neill and future star Julian Dennison, is one of the 2016's unalloyed delights. Waititi is currently completing work on the latest Marvel instalment 'Thor: Ragnarok'.

Wim Wenders, born in Düsseldorf in 1945, ranks among the important directors of world cinema and is one of the leading representatives of 'New German Film'. In his early work, Wenders created uprooted characters trying to survive in post-war Germany. In the 1990s Wenders became first chairman and later president of the European Film Academy. He has received honorary doctorates from numerous academic institutes.

Ben Wheatley was born in Essex, United Kingdom in 1972. Originally interested in short films and animation, he exhibited most of his work online in order to attract a greater audience. A number of videos he posted went viral and were subsequently picked up by major media companies. He is known for 'Sightseers' (2012) and 'A Field in England' (2013).

Born in 1961 in Lancaster, United Kingdom, Michael Winterbottom read English at Oxford University before studying television courses at Bristol University. His influences range from Jean-Luc Godard to Ingmar Bergman, as his films focus heavily on a place's influence on its characters, and combine social realism with stylistic verve and vibrant photography.

Richard Wong is an award-winning director and cinematographer. As director, his critically acclaimed COLMA: THE MUSICAL garnered him a Film Independent’s Spirit Award nomination for the Someone To Watch Award. As a cinematographer, he lensed films such as Sundance favourite TO THE BONE for director Marti Noxon, starring Lily Collins and Keanu Reeves. Other DP credits include GIRLFRIEND'S DAY, SPARE PARTS, SNOW FLOWER and THE SECRET FAN for acclaimed Chinese director Wayne Wang and immigration drama SAINT JUDY, for director Sean Hanish, starring Michelle Monahan and Common.

Harry Wootliff was BAFTA-nominated for her debut short film, Nits, which was selected for Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2005. Her second short, Trip, followed in 2009, and was selected for the Berlinale as well as more than 30 other festivals worldwide. With her debut feature film, Only You, Wootliff affirms this early promise and offers an original, moving and vibrant take on the modern love story, featuring stellar performances by two rising stars in current European film.