F*Dance

Short Film (Full Length) – 2008

There's blood, sweat and tequila-flavoured tears in F*Dance. The wildcard finalist took away the 2008 Grand National title in short film contest 48Hours. When Harry Knuckles (Reagan Morris) a big time player in the underground art of finger dancing sustains a gory injury in a battle against G Nail (Bernice Breckon), the future ain't looking bright. Knuckles drowns his sorrows till his mentor (Karen Philips, in Mr. Miyagi mode) inspires him to pull on his training glove. References to classics like Rocky, Karate Kid and Flashdance abound as Knuckles faces off for a revenge bout. Matthew Weir composed the air punching soundtrack.

Inventive and, smart — a very difficult genre, delivered with clever visual storytelling. Very little dialogue, but good use of sound and well-thought-out visual invention conveys the story well. Very funny references. Not the slickest film made this year, but the ideas and level of entertainment are what matters.
– 48Hours judge Peter Jackson on F*Dance in a 48Hours press release, The Big Idea, 8 July 2008