What an amazing weekend at Sykehouse for the first Sykehouse International Film Festival and Awards. I had the honour to be asked along to the prestigious event and also for Blazing Minds to be a sponsor for the first event.
The Sykehouse International Film Festival took place at The Old George Inn which is a family-run venue which is located on the trans-Pennine trail, the pub not only caters for food and drink but also has camping accommodations as well as a huge area for events.
I arrived after a 2.5-hour drive and was greeted by the wonder Samantha Lee Howe and David J Howe who have organised the festival and we headed over to the venue to check it out for the Saturday. I have to say that I was impressed with not only the location but also the family that runs The Old George Inn, everyone is very polite and helpful.
After checking everything out and seeing where everything was taking place, I headed back with Sam to grab a bite to eat and rest up for the night ready for the Film Festival and the Awards evening on Saturday.
Starting early Saturday morning, we headed back to The Old George Inn and I got set up for the day, the films that were shortlisted for awards were shown in a great area inside that pub that had comfy sofas to kick back on, this also catered for a selection of interviews that would take place during the day.
The award evening would be taken outside in a marquee and I was surprised at how big it was, there was going to be plenty of room for all the guests, and everything was set up nicely with seating and tables for a night of delicious food served, entertainment with comedy and music, plus of course a night of awards and some amazing surprises.
Sykehouse International Film Festival Awards Winners
The first award of the evening was a very special one and celebrated a lifetime achievement and was presented by David J Howe, actor Frazer Hines was shocked by the announcement that he had won this wonderful prize and mentioned on the stage that he thought he was there to give out an award.
The Second award for the night was for Best Short Film and I was honoured to be asked to give out the award. I had been chatting with the winner over a couple of days and I have to say it was hard to not let anything slip.
The award for Best Short Film went to the amazing Taunya Gren for the film Chrsyaline. If you get the chance to see the film I highly recommend checking it out.
Silver went to La Belle Dans Sans Merci: Hate and Bronze went home with Press Conference.
Best Director was up next and this was Sponsored by Alex Shewan. Presented by Wendy Turner Webster.
This was another win for Chrysaline and Taunya Gren had to make a quick turn around and head back to the stage to pick up another award. Silver went to Montgomery David Taylor – For In the Bag and Bronze to Piero Cannata – For Script.
Best Short Screenplay was a great collection of films again the award was presented by Keith Mason, and Cold Comfort by Mick Sims walked away with the prize. The Scheme by Diego Trovarelli picking up Silver and Bronze going to The Estate by Rachel D Griffiths.
A change in the awards came next as Frazer Hines and Linzi Gold took to the stage to award the Honorary Award for Pop Legend which went to Ayesha Brough.
Best Thriller Feature presented by Danielle Broadbent and the winner was Drag Me All the Way Down by Adam Holloway with Being John Gone by Walter Mecham taking Silver and Bronze going out to Department 18 by Mick Sims.
The Best Newcomer Award was Presented by judge, Adele Maddison, and the winner was Montgomery David Taylor.
The Best Horror Feature was presented by Telos Publishing sponsor, David J Howe. The award went to The Blood Corral directed by Scott New.
Next up was the award for Best Supporting Actor and the award was presented by Gary Webster who many will recognise from EastEnders and Minder. The award went to Jimmy Hanks (yes Tom Hanks’s brother) for Blood Corral, picking up the Silver was Christina Robinson – Chrysaline and finally the Bronze went to Simon Messingham – Ostrich Suit.
Ayshea Brough returned to the stage to present the Best Actress Award, taking the award home was the amazing Seanna Ladd for Chrysaline, Silver went to Monica Zanforlin for Script and the Bronze went to Michelle Jeram for The Programme.
Ending the evening of awards was the Best Actor Award was taken home by Ray Calleja for Press Conference, close behind with Silver was Matt Shaw for The Stillness in the Air and the Bronze went to Alistair Lock for Ostrich Suit.
We had an amazing time at the Sykehouse International Film Festival and Awards, big thanks go out to Samantha Lee Howe and David Howe for an awesome weekend and for allowing Blazing Minds to sponsor the event and to have me give out an award. I can’t wait now to do it all again next year.
If you are a filmmaker and would like to submit your work to next year’s Film Festival then head on over to FilmFreeway and submit your work.
All photos © Karen Woodham/BlazingMinds
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.
