Havering students can freely apply to showcase their filmmaking talents at an international independent film festival which returns to the borough next year.
The Romford Film Festival arrives at the Premier Cinema at the Mercury Mall on May 24 next year.
The five-day event, two days longer than last year’s inaugural festival, culminates in the ‘Rommy Awards,’ recognising the Best Director, Best Film, Best Score, Best Actor and Best Actress, among other categories.
Applications to enter the festival are being accepted until April 20, 2018, and the entrance fees have been waived for filmmakers who attend colleges and schools in Havering.
To qualify to enter, films must be independently produced with no studio involvement.
More than 45 films were showcased at last years’ event, which took place from October, 6 to 8 2017.
Guests were treated to world premier screenings and question and answer talks with film-makers.
Among the attendees were stars from the award-winning film The Dark Knight, and TV series Breaking Bad.
It was also attended by Romford MP Andrew Rosindell who presented the Best Music Award.
Event proprietor Joseph Sultana, a Havering resident, is an author and filmmaker and has nine director and writer credits to his name.
His films include 2015 TV comedy ‘Knobs’ and 2014 documentary ‘Quintessentially… 1940’s.’
Explaining his reasons for founding the festival in Romford, he said: “The region really lacked professional recognition of film.
Considering it has such a vibrant and exciting film scene, each year almost 20pc of UK based independent films come from the region, but festivals are restricted to either central London or the east coast.”
Joseph has also established the not-for-profit Romford Film Foundation geared towards encouraging ‘real independent film making’ in the area.
Premier Cinema, Mercury mall and radio station Time 107.5PM are sponsoring the event and tickets to attend the festival will be released in coming weeks.
To enter your film in to the festival, go to FilmFreeway website at: https://filmfreeway.com/RomfordFilmFestival or for more information on the film foundation email: info@romfordfilmfoundation.co.uk
Havering students can reclaim their free entry application using the discount code available on the website.
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