European Genre Forum
The Kids Are Feral
Gavin undergoes the usual trials and tribulations of arriving at a new school - making friends, facing bullies and stopping an all-out invasion of feral children.
We follow Gavin as he arrives in Kalliston, a town in the highlands of Scotland. He quickly befriends Dee, the school’s outcast and nemesis of the school bully - Logan. During a confrontation in the woods, Logan is dragged deep into the undergrowth of the forest by mysterious creatures. Fearing Logan is dead, Gavin convinces Dee to go back and investigate the woods. They find an underground bunker with a delirious Logan inside. Feral children surround Dee and Gavin, seemingly responding to Logan’s commands as their new alpha leader. Dee and Gavin manage to escape. The feral children begin entering the town under the command of Logan and become a serious threat. Dee and Gavin begin a quest to save the town from the feral menace.
Keywords: adventures, coming of age, friendship
Director's note:
I have been following The European Genre Forum for several years. It was initially recommended by David Lumsden, a colleague of mine who submitted his film ‘Out There’ in 2017. When I began writing ‘The Kids Are Feral’ in 2020 I realised with its horror/comedy elements it would be an ideal film project to submit to the EGF. I am incredibly excited about the opportunities and development the EGF offers in trying to make a genre feature film a reality. Since I began writing it, I have received numerous notes and feedback on the screenplay from other screenwriters, filmmakers and film lecturers along with feedback from film festivals I have entered. I have taken their feedback on board and developed the third draft of the script into something that I feel is now ready for film markets with The European Genre Forum being our first to enter.
Producer's note:
I have been interested in the European Genre Forum ever since I heard about it. The pan-European nature of the project and its focus on bringing together creatives from across all of Europe is fantastic. Connecting people is one of the most important aspects of cinema and film in my opinion. The opportunities that come with attending the European Genre Forum are second to none. Having made multiple short films, I’m looking to take the next step in my career – working on a feature-length project. The guidance and support EGF provides is the perfect environment to grow and learn. EGF gives us the chance to find experienced Producers and Financiers to join our project. I shortened the script with Ben, and we refined some ideas to make the challenge manageable. EGF is open to quirky and slightly different films, so I feel it is a perfect match for ‘The Kids Are Feral’.
Through his production outfit, Vibrant Youth, Ben Thompson has directed seven short films. The most recent - ‘The Ghost of Me and You’ - starred the professional actress Kirsty Strain (Outlander, Guilt). It featured intricate motion control camera movements and visual effects. The film screened at numerous film festivals. Backed by a multi-talented crew, it is Ben’s goal to make a feature film. He currently works full-time at Screen Academy Scotland as a Film Technician.
The Meadow, 2007 Black & White, 2008 Dreamer, 2010 The Balance, 2013 Nutcracker, 2016 The Ghost of Me and You, 2021
Matt specialised in film production through his studies. He produced multiple short films refining his skills as a producer before moving to Scotland. Working freelance on corporate films he got a taste of the commercial side of filmmaking while expanding his network. Matt’s focus though lies on telling engaging stories that a broad audience can connect with. He also aspires to create an inclusive environment in production that facilitates the individual creative mission of every department.