In this Season 6 special episode, Tracy Harwood introduces a 2007 vlog by @LitFuseFilms  at the Machinima Europe Film Festival. The vlog is a forgotton gem, and a trip down memory lane for all those that made it over to Leicester in October that year, as well as all those that watched the proceedings online (quite a challenge but achieved with the assistance of  ⁨@secondlife⁩  and a team of enthusiasts on the ground and virtually.

The vlog highlights the crew’s experience, the premiere of their award-winning film “Ignis Solis,” and a live performance by the Sancho Plan. The vlog also features a keynote by Paul Marino  @ILLRobinson , CEO of the Academy of Machinima Arts and Sciences (AMAS), who explains machinima as filmmaking within virtual worlds, offering creative freedom and reduced production constraints. The festival showcased various machinima works, including Lit Fuse’s “Ballad of Black Mesa,” noted for its high production values and sophisticated use of color correction and editing by the judges at the time! Others you can see in this include  @fiezi, Paul Jannicola, Kerria Seabrook, Ann Garner @Moviestorm, Ricard Gras, Hugh Hancock @strangecompany, Sancho Plan and various others from the world of #machinima #virtualproduction #filmmaking #gameshorts #animation #tf2

A bit of history… Lit Fuse Films is an independent production company driven by bold ideas, atmospheric storytelling, and a passion for films that linger long after the credits roll. Their project Ignis Solus captured that vision perfectly – an intense, thought-provoking film that explored isolation, inner conflict, and the quiet power of resilience through striking visuals and deliberate pacing. With a strong focus on mood and character, Ignis Solus blended cinematic artistry with emotional depth, inviting viewers to reflect rather than simply watch. It’s a standout example of Lit Fuse Films’ commitment to crafting stories that feel personal, powerful, and unapologetically original. It went on to win the Best Sound award at the 2008 AMAS Machinima Film Festival in New York, unsurprisingly – having been released just a week before the 2007 Festival in Europe, meaning it missed the submission deadline.

Audio only version of this episode –

YouTube Version of This Episode

Show Notes

Lit Fuse Films channel link and film Ignis Solus, released 8 October 2007 –

Lit Fuse Films Ballad of Black Mesa –

Link to the Machinima Europe Festival 2007 Programme here

and BBC News coverage here

Official photograph from the 2007 festival (back row: Prof Andrew Hugill, Kristian Costa-Zahn, Hugh Hancock, Paul Jannicola, Kerria Seabrook, middle row: Prof David Asch, Xavier Lardy, Ann Garner, Ricard Gras, Toby Moores, front row: Alex Chan, Freidrich Kirschner, Tracy Harwood, Paul Marino) (used with permission, Tracy Harwood, De Montfort University).