Short Film
Sound of the Somme
Directed by 
Michaël Vermaercke
AFIN 2026 Nominee · 5 nominations
- 2026
- 13m
-
Belgium - English
- PG
- War
- Drama
- History
Stills
6 frames Nominee
Best Visual Effects
Still in the running. Winner announced at Awards Night, 19 September 2026.
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Credits
Written by
Produced by
Cinematography
Editing
Music & Sound
Visual Effects
Production Company
- Quilombo
Producer
Synopsis
Sound of the Somme tells the true story of private James C. Richardson, a 20-year-old bagpiper serving in the 16th Canadian Scottish Battalion. Despite being assigned to stay behind as stretcher bearer, James is determined to play his bagpipes in the heat of the battle. His unwavering resolve to support his comrades and boost morale leads him to defy orders, risking his life to bring a glimmer of hope amidst the horrors of war. This heroic act earned James the Victoria Cross, the highest honor within the British Commonwealth.
Director's Statement
"Sound of the Somme" is a powerful short film about a young Scottish Canadian piper during World War I who chooses music over weapons as a way to resist the destruction around him. More than 100 years after the Great War, Europe is once again scarred by conflict, with cities in ruins and countless lives lost. Beyond Ukraine, parts of the Middle East and Africa are also caught in the heat of war. But in the darkest times, music has the power to bring a glimmer of hope. Piper James C. Richardson made a bold choice: instead of picking up a weapon, he carried something much more powerful - the ability to keep the human spirit alive, to remind those around him of what was truly at stake. His fellow soldiers found courage in the face of despair, and even his enemies paused in silence for a moment. His music did what war tries to destroy: it connected people. It was an act of defiance against the forces trying to reduce us to mere pieces in a game of destruction. This short film isn’t just about 1916. It asks a bigger question: how do we stay human in a world that feels inhuman? The bagpipe is more than an instrument. It is a symbol of creating order within chaos. Richardson’s music was not merely an act of bravery, but a statement that even in the darkest moments, there can still be a flicker of humanity. In a world where the voice of hatred and division seem to grow louder, it is our responsibility to ensure that spark never fades.
What makes this one special
- Queensland PremiereThe filmmaker tells us this is where it happens
- 10 awards at other festivalsBirmingham Film Festival · Round Top Film Festival · Circa Historical Screenplay Competition (SCRIPT COMPETITION) and 7 more
- Programmed at 31 other festivals
- Nominated in 5 AFIN categoriesBest International Short Film · Best Visual Effects · Best Sound & Music · Best Cinematography · Best Director
- One of just 2 films from Belgium across eight seasons
Also selected at
10 awards, 6 finalist placings, 15 official selections across 31 other festivals
- WinnerBirmingham Film Festival
- WinnerRound Top Film Festival
- WinnerCirca Historical Screenplay Competition (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- WinnerE&U European Short Film Festival (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- WinnerIrvine International Film Festival (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- WinnerBarcelona International Film Festival (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- WinnerFlickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- WinnerNear Nazareth Festival (NNF) (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- WinnerSão Paulo Film Festival (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- WinnerWest Field Screenwriting Awards (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- FinalistNevada City Film Festival (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- FinalistAmerican Gem Short Script Competition & Literary Festival (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- FinalistBucharest ShortCut CineFest (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- FinalistLA Indie Film Fest (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- FinalistManhattan Short Film Festival (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- FinalistScreenCraft Film Fund (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- SelectionFastnet Film Festival
- SelectionFilmfestival Oostende
- SelectionFP Arts Short Film Festival
- SelectionJulien Dubuque International Film Festival
- SelectionRed Poppy Film Festival
- SelectionWorldFest-Houston International Film Festival
- SelectionYountville International Short Film Festival
- SelectionBig Bear International Film Festival
The remaining 7 festivals
- SelectionFlickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival
- SelectionIndy Shorts Film Festival
- SelectionSan Jose International Short Film Festival
- SelectionHollyShorts Film Festival (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- SelectionFinish Line Script Competition (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- SelectionMedFF (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
- SelectionOaxaca FilmFest (SCRIPT COMPETITION)
Recorded by the filmmaker on their entry.
Director's Biography
Michaël Vermaercke Director
Michaël was raised in an entrepreneurial family, studied to make a career in the financial sector, but eventually a burning desire to work in the film industry prevailed. Since 2014, Michaël has been working on corporate & branded content projects on a self-employed basis for companies like Coca Cola, Bobbejaanland, DPG Media, CM, Belfius, the Flemish Government, etc. In terms of fiction projects, he directed several short films that were shown at both national and international film festivals. In 2018, his first full-length film Memento Mori was released, a low budget horror film which premiered at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF) and won the Innocent Award in Germany for best independent film of the year. Michaël is keen on visualizing his films in a precise and refine manner, where unique settings and strong individual characters are playing a huge role. Besides directing, he likes operating the camera and loves the editing process where the story finally comes together. These technical skills helps him to perfectly execute his creative vision within the budget constraints.
Trailer
Cast
Official laurels
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Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best International Short Film Download laurel -
Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Visual Effects Download laurel -
Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Sound & Music Download laurel -
Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Cinematography Download laurel Download certificate -
Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Director Download laurel
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Sound of the Somme was an official Nominee for Best International Short Film, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound & Music, Best Cinematography and Best Director at the AFIN International Film Festival 2026, a Top 100 Best Reviewed and IMDb-qualifying festival.
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