Gallery
Celebration of film wraps up biggest yet Romford Film Festival
Harold Wood-born Spencer Hawken hosting the awards - Credit: Sandra Rowse
A celebration of local and international filmmakers rounded up Romford's biggest movie festival to date this year.
From May 19 to 25, 183 films from 150 filmmakers showcased their work at Premiere Cinemas in The Mercury Shopping Centre for the sixth annual Romford Film Festival in 2022, which was partnered with the Eurasian Creative Guild.
The Best Eurasian Feature Film award was given to Tygyn Darkhan by Nikita Arzhakov in Romford by the Eurasian Creative Guild's Eurasian Film Festival - Credit: Sandra Rowse
The selected films represented only 37 per cent of the entries submitted for the international event.
Harold Wood-born Spencer Hawken - who is The Mercury's centre manager, a consultant for Netflix and a co-founder of the festival alongside Natalie Bays - said: "It's been great - we've had Larry Lamb here, he was lovely; we've had some very busy screens; we've had a lot of fun."
He added: "We've had a lot of people flown here from all over the planet - we had representation from eight filmmakers who have come in from the States, we've had people from Australia, Greece, South America, Ukraine."
Romford Film Festival co-funders Spencer Hawken and Natalie Bays - Credit: Sandra Rowse
On the closing night, a glittering ceremony saw multiple filmmakers and other industry professionals receive awards.
This included EastEnders star Larry Lamb, who was recognised as best actor for his role in Old Windows, and Tiggy Bayley, who was named best actress for her part in Tildypops.
Larry Lamb went on a tour of Romford while at the film festival, including visiting Robins Pie And Mash on South Street - Credit: Carrie Kendall
Most Read
- 1 Primark confirms 'incident' involving baby in Romford store
- 2 Man murdered two armed teenage boys who had been chasing him, court told
- 3 Application to build eight five-bed chalet bungalows in Havering-atte-Bower
- 4 Jailed: Hornchurch man found with weapons in Dagenham
- 5 'Increased demand' to blame for overflowing Hornchurch bins, supermarket says
- 6 Romford sexual abuse victim feels 'truly alone' after paedophile given suspended sentence
- 7 Previous 15% pay cut overridden for some top Havering politicians in restructure
- 8 Census 2021: What has changed in your borough since 2011?
- 9 Tensions simmer: Harold Hill school brands strike disruption as 'unacceptable' while NEU slams restructure as 'irresponsible'
- 10 Infinity Magazine's first sci-fi cult film convention is coming to Romford
Old Windows also achieved best screenplay, with writer and actress Laura Bayston accepting the award.
Laura Bayston with Richard Colton from sponsors Royal Flush Productions - Credit: Sandra Rowse
She revealed on stage that her first job was at Premiere Cinemas in Romford 25 years ago, "ripping tickets to watch Forest Gump".
Director and actress Sarah-Jane Potts collected the accolade of best short film for her debut film The Magician.
Sarah-Jane Potts with the best short film award - Credit: Sandra Rowse
In her speech, she said: "It's overwhelming, I want to say thank you to Romford as you have been so supportive and friendly and it's my first festival so this is amazing.
"I wanted to make a film about connections and kindness because of how important it is and that goes beyond words and dialogue."
Best documentary was awarded to Kyle Grendys for the work Fraser Syndrome and Me.
Kyle Grendys, who made documentary Fraser Syndrome and Me - Credit: Sandra Rowse
Filmmaker Kyle is only the 75th person to be born with the rare, recessive gene disorder.
She said: "This is a story about love and unity and community so that's so prevalent here. Thank you for having me and sharing so much love with me and everybody."
Romford Film Festival is in the process of applying to secure British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) accreditation.
Stewart Pink from sponsor Phoenix FM - Credit: Sandra Rowse
Tiggy Bayley with her best actress award - Credit: Sandra Rowse
Filmmakers at the Romford Film Festival 2022's opening night - Credit: Sandra Rowse
Everyone who attended the Romford Film Festival awards ceremony on May 25 - Credit: Sandra Rowse
Natasha Hawthornthwaite and Scott Bradley of the film Becontree - Credit: Sandra Rowse
Spencer Hawken talking to guests - including director and actress Sarah-Jane Potts - at the festival's opening night - Credit: Sandra Rowse
New York filmmaker Alex Rollinsberg at the Romford Film Festival's opening night - Credit: Sandra Rowse
Councillors and filmmakers at the Romford Film Festival's opening night - Credit: Sandra Rowse
Cllr Christine Vickery chatting with guest Michelle Beard at the Romford Film Festival's opening night - Credit: Sandra Rowse
Kat and Paul Philippou-Curtis, who made the film Fire Ants, at Romford Film Festival's opening night 2022 - Credit: Sandra Rowse
Nikky Athan Gabriel Athanasiou, of the film Astoria - Credit: Sandra Rowse
Craig Talbot and Megan Smith - their film is called Best Friends - Credit: Sandra Rowse
Editor of sponsor Romford Recorder, Franki Berry, announced Visitors to be best local film at the awards ceremony - Credit: Sandra Rowse
