A SOUTHAMPTON lecturer has been shortlisted for a prestigious film award.

Julian Konczak has been shortlisted by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) for a Research in Film Award for his project A Polish Journey.

The film, based on the Polish origins of his family, has been is in the category of ‘Award for innovation in film – best film of the year’.

The awards are designed to recognise the creative and innovative work being done by world-leading researchers, practitioners and filmmakers in the UK.

Mr Konczak, who works at Southampton Solent University, said: “The aim was to create a piece with a strong connection between the form of the story and the content.

“Migration and borders seemed an ideal match for current trends in cross-platform storytelling, as the maps and geo-location have become a commonplace tool for interactivity.”

Julian is up against entries from across the UK from the University of Kent, Northumberland University, London School of Economics, and CREATe University of Glasgow.

Entries included reconstructions and enactments, animations, installations and gallery pieces, music videos, documentaries, as well as coproduced work including collaborations with communities.

He said: “It is great to be shortlisted by the AHRC as they represent some of the most significant research into arts in the academic context.

“The work involved a team of people who invested their skills and talents into the project and it is very positive to get this work seen by a wider audience.

“It was made on a shoestring with a lot of time and goodwill.”

The winners of the awards will be announced on November 12 at a special ceremony at the British Film Institute in London.