In the final week of the Routemaster's London passenger service in Dec 2005, a challenge was posted to UK filmmakers to make a film about the iconic British bus in its dying days of commuter service. Within just 7 days, 10 short films were made.

The films have screened throughout London and internationally: DVD release: August 2007

(DVD release August 2007)

Kevin Dolan's "RM 159" is an engrossing tone poem of sounds and images: the deep thrum of the engine,

clean ting of the bell and classic design elements of mirrors and handles are set to soothing xylophone

music and nostalgic reveries from conductors and passengers.

Ed Hartwell's 'Bus Kong' is a delicious animatedpolitical cartoon that exploits the iconography of the

Routemaster, London and a certain giant ape movie with bold witty simplicity, pitching our hero against a

feral bendy-bus and an even more sinister foe…

Interestingly drawn study of the social and emotional impact of the Routemaster on peoples' lives.

Interesting concept with good interplay between the interviews/ voiceovers and images.

Very funny with nice sci-fi twist at the end; clever editing and use of special effects.

In the final week of the Routemaster's London passenger service in Dec 2005, filmmakers

were challenged to celebrate London's transport heritage by making a film about the iconic

Farewell Routemaster DVD released August 2007

Available for £9.50 plus postage.

Contact: Jane Saunders: Farewell Routemaster producer 079 868 27541.

See link at end of page to go to the web site

Fluid camerawork with a light, humorous touch.

Funny and well acted, atmospherically shot comedy about what happens when you get a new bus.

scenes ("Since '56 I've been around - landmark, icon I've been called/But I kept my wheels firmly on the ground

and went where I was told")

In the final week of the Routemaster's London passenger service in Dec 2005, filmmakers

were challenged to celebrate London's transport heritage by making a film about the iconic British bus in its dying days of commuter service.

This film challenge was an organic response to the demise of the Routemaster bus service.

The objectives of the challenge were:

To preserve, in a unique way, the cultural heritage of this beautiful bus and to provide filmmakers an opportunity to say a proper good-bye to the bus that has been the definitive face of London in documentaries and fiction films for decades. To celebrate the spirit of the

Routemaster bus and of independent filmmaking.

Within just 7 days, 10 short films were made.

The films, from some of London's most talented independent filmmakers, cover several genres of film including animation, drama, documentary and comedy.