Bexley Film Festival Fever Hits Town
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Back row L-R: Cllr Peter Catterall, Cllr John Waters, Cllr Simon WIndle, with members of Pointless Taxi Productions (L-R) Lewis Clark, Louise Henderson, Michaela Mills and Syd Heather. |
Almost 200 people attended the first ever Bexley Film Festival at Cineworld,
Bexleyheath, on 11 June. In fact it proved such a success that it might even
become a regular fixture!
The festival, which was officially opened by Cllr
Peter Catterall, Cabinet
Member for Arts, Leisure and Tourism, attracted strong competition, proving
a feast for film buffs everywhere. Out of some 30 films submitted, the films
were narrowed down to just 17 for the big night.
Taking top place in the Best Film category was 'Back to the Fuschia' by Toby
Roberts. The film impressed judges with its dialogue in the style of a poem
which tells a simple love story.
After receiving the category award from Cllr
John Davey, chairman of The Arts
Council of Bexley, Toby Roberts, 39, of Colchester, said: "This is excellent
news, I'm really honoured and grateful to the Arts Council of Bexley for choosing
my film as the best film."
Meanwhile, the Best Community Film award went to 'Brewing' from Pointless
Taxi Productions, Bexley's young person's filmmaking club which is run in partnership
by Welling School, the London Borough of Bexley's Neighbourhood Services and
the Metropolitan Police. The thought-provoking film was commissioned by Child
and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and tackled issues around mental
health and self-harming. It has already been viewed at professional conferences
and is currently being shown at schools throughout Bexley.
Gareth Morgan, owner of local video shops, Videotime, Albany Park and Gazelle
Video, Bexleyheath, sponsored the Community Film category. He said: “There
was a lot of quality within the community films screened and the decision was
a difficult one, but I think 'Brewing' delivered a strong and important message
in a sensitive way.”
After the event, Cllr Catterall said: "The Bexley Film Festival was an
inspiring evening which displayed a wealth of talent from both inside and outside
the borough. I'd like to thank all those, from the filmmakers to the sponsors,
who made this possible. It would be encouraging to see this as a permanent
fixture on the Bexley Arts calendar."
The event was also attended by Cllr
Simon Windle, who is Deputy Leader of
the London Borough of Bexley and Cabinet Member for Schools, Adult Education
and Youth Services, as well as Cllr
John Waters, Cabinet Member for Regeneration
and Housing.
Anybody wishing to join Pointless Taxi Productions, commission a film or help
organise the festival for next year should contact Bexley's Neighbourhood Services
on 020 8284 5512 or email community.safety@bexley.gov.uk
