Honorable Mention – “Duel of the Hearts” (USA)

Title: Duel of the Hearts
Runtime: 7 min
Country: USA 
Director: Harrison Derbyshire
Placement: Honorable Mention
Competition: June, 2019

Synopsis: Spain. 1588. Three weeks before the launch of the Spanish Armada. Henry, an English spy, waits amongst a ruined castle to hand over the plans he has stolen to a courier to take back to warn the English. Maria, Henry’s lover, who also happens to be a counter-spy for Spain, arrives to steal back the plans so she can trace the information to Henry’s sources. Both admit that they knew about the others identity all along, and had been simply playing each other to complete their missions. As they duel around the ruins their true feelings for each other are revealed and their loyalty to their governments, and each other, will be put to the ultimate test.