The second Silvertip Films HORSHAM FILM FESTIVAL took place at The Capitol Theatre on February 13th 2020 with an evening of comedies, dramas, documentaries, animation and music from HAODS!
Over 120 people attended, comprised of shortlisted filmmakers, family, friends and supporters and local business figures.
The festival judges this year included Geoff Cockwill, director at Silvertip Films, Davey Pearson, editor of The District Post and Emily Beach, actress and Silvertip Films Vlog presenter. Between them, they watched through the 50+ entries which covered a broad range of genres and shortlisted 20 films for the Festival.
The event was hosted by Jess Jay who hosted the 2019 event and we were also joined by special guest Nicola Hume, fresh from her triple roles in The Capitols 2019 panto, Peter Pan.
The Over 18s entries comprised of 15 shortlisted films across the Best Comedy, Best Drama, Best Animation, Best Documentary and Your District categories and 5 shortlisted films in the Under 18s category which covers all types of film. Each shortlisted film had a clip played on the night and each winning film was played in full, to enthusiastic applause from the audience.
We were thrilled to be able to present all 6 winning filmmakers with their awards and prizes in person on the night as well, sending home a number of happy filmmakers.
Our winning films on the night included…
- Quiet Carriage which took home the Best Comedy A short about a man frustrated by the incessant chatter of a young woman in the quiet carriage on the train, sees the situation escalate massively out of hand. Superb performances, direction and production made this a hit. Directed by Ben S. Hyland.
- GRIT was the winner of the Best Animation award and a 6 month labour of love for filmmaker Matt Thomas, creating a stop motion and CGI mixed short about two blocky characters engaged in a battle.
- This is ME was the Best Drama award, a touching story about a young woman struggling with ME, determined to do more with her life who is helped by the kindness of strangers when the struggle overtakes her. Brilliant work from first time filmmaker Josh Pickup.
- David Ralph: The Great British Custodian was the Best Documentary winner and looked at the passion for the Wolseley, a true classic car, by the current owner/custodian David. A beautiful mix of traditional film and modern digital film from James French.
- The Last Battle the winning film in the Under 18s Award was made by Jake Payne and took a look at the horrors of war, told through the eyes and thoughts of children.
One aspect of the Festival is to shine a light on the sites and filmmakers within the Horsham District via the Your District award which is for films made within the area. We had strong entries here in the form of…
- The Super Fan and Me winning the Over 18s Your District Award – a documentary style short about a Doctor Who obsessed fan who wishes to erect a 300ft Dalek statue in Horsham, in honour of the Dalek designer Raymond Cusick. Directed by Mark Jende and Lewis Harper
- Out of Time shortlisted for the Over 18s Your District Award – a short comedy which features two western gunslingers about to have a shoot out, before being interrupted by time travelling holiday makers. The film was shot at the Deadwood western town and was directed by Edward Headen.
- Gaslight is a short drama, nominated in the Over 18s Your District Award which features a woman meeting a man who isn’t quite the catch he initially seems. The film was partly shot in the district and was directed by Zoe Ashan.
- Another Love Story in the Under 18s Award category was made fully in the district by 2019 winner Tom Gerrard. The film tells the story of a blossoming romance which sours quickly. Following his win last year, Tom is now also the film critic for The District Post.
- Deafening Silence was also in the Under 18s Award category and the short horror-inspired film was directed by 2019 winner and star of the Sky One sitcom “In The Long Run”, Mattie Boys.
The event was sponsored by a number of national and local businesses who provided a mixture of physical prizes, vouchers and event support including…
- Camera equipment from Manfrotto
- Film books from Dorling Kindersley
- Filmmaking Books from Michael Wiese Publications
- Craft beer from Firebird Brewery
- Gift vouchers from MacMan
- Chocolate from Cocoa Loco
- Prizes from the Horsham Bedding Centre (Jones and Tomlin)
- An overnight stay plus use of the new spa at South Lodge Hotel in Horsham
- Award sponsorship from Freeman Brothers Funeral Directors
- Programme printing and design by Chesworths Estate Agents
Plus our show host Jess Jay and video presenter Emily Beach had their hair styled for the night by The Chapel in Horsham and Emily was also dressed by La Vida Boutique as well.
The Awards Night was also raising funds via a percentage of each ticket sold for Silvertip Films’ charity partner Springboard who were on hand to work the Front of House at the theatre and tell people about the excellent work they do for children in West Sussex.
Our media partners at The District Post and UK Film Review gave coverage on the event throughout it’s lifetime which contributed toward raising awareness about the event online and in print.
Watch out for a video of the night very soon as well…
The Horsham Film Festival will return in 2021…
Over 18s Your District Winners for “The Super Fan and Me” – Lewis Harper and Mark Jende with Nicola Hume.
Over 18s Best Documentary winner for “David Ralph: The Great British Custodian” James French with Geoff Cockwill
Over 18s Best Drama award winner Josh Pickup, who made “This is ME” with Nicola Hume and Geoff Cockwill
Over 18s Best Animation winner Matt Thomas, who made “GRIT” with sponsor Matt from MacMan and Davey Pearson
Under 18s winner Jake Payne who made “The Last Battle” with Geoff Cockwill and Davey Pearson
Emily Beach interviews special guest Nicola Hume on the red carpet.
Over 18s Your District winners Mark Jende and Lewis Harper
Over 18s Best Drama winner Josh Pickup
All photos by Toby Phillips Photography