It was the second year for the Sykehouse Film Festival in Doncaster over the weekend, and I was honoured to not only be a sponsor again this year but also return as a judge for the film that made the finals.
This year’s event took place at the rather lovely Grade 2 listed Owston Hall Hotel, which has stunning views and amazing architecture in a wonderful location. I arrived on Thursday afternoon and caught up with Samantha Lee Howe and David J. Howe, preparing for a weekend of watching movies and shorts, as well as attending some fantastic author panels featuring the various authors at the festival.
The amazing thing about the Sykehouse Film Festival is that it’s not only lots of fun, but it also has a good cause, as proceeds from the event go to IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services) and The Pink Ribbon Foundation.
Friday kicked off at 1 pm with an introduction from Sam and David, followed by the film screening in a room upstairs, and the authors discussing various subjects that were fascinating to listen to. I was catching up with people and chatting as well as taking photos during the day of the various things that were going on, the busy day for me was Saturday with the Awards Red Carpet and the Awards themselves, on the evening I was also honoured to be asked to give out the award for Best Pilot.
Awards and Live Music
After a day of watching films, chatting with guests and running around taking photos, Saturday night was set for fun and surprises.
The Awards night was packed, and with all the guests enjoying the superb music from Killin’ Floor as we all got prepared for the meal before the awards began.
Sykehouse Film Festival and Writers’ Festival Awards
And the winners are….
- Best Short Film (Joint Winners) – Kidda, Directed by Fraser Jordan and Laura Living Backwards, Directed by Kate Horlor
- Best Director Short – Piero Cannata, Visiting
- Best Short Screenplay – An Officer in Grays Inn Road, Written by Mick Sims
- Best Thriller Feature – Tapped, Directed by Teoman Sayin
- Best Feature Screenplay – Monster Within, Written by Emanuele Frusi
- Best Director Feature – Tapped, Directed by Teoman Sayin
- Best Pilot – Twin Leaps, Directed by Wayne Kelly
- Best Young Actress – Emily Askew (Bridie!)
- Best Young Actor – Jude Hoyland (Kidda)
- Filmmaker Legend – Rob Speranza
- Best Action – Tapped, Directed by Teoman Sayin
- Best Supporting Actress – Beverley Rendelle as DC Taylor in Bridie!
- Best Supporting Actor – Joe Zalias as Mr Andrews in Kidda
- Best Comedy Short – Wheel Gone Kid 4 Crash Course, Directed by Wayne Kelly
- Best Actress – Vianne Furey as Clara in Tapped
- Best Actor – Elijah Baker as Nuro-Ross in Tapped
The Noose Awards for Authors and Books
- The Silken Rope, Best Short Story – Victoria Dowd for Catacomb
- The Noose Award, Best Thriller Novel – David Mardell for The Wolf in the Henhouse
Many thanks to David and Sam for inviting Blazing Minds along and to the many people that I got to meet and chat with over the weekend. If you fancy going along to next year’s event, tickets will be available now on Eventbrite.
Check out our full album of photos from the event on our Sykehouse Film Festival 2025 Facebook album.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
