Romford hosts international filmmakers at red carpet awards

The curtain came down on Romford’s annual film festival with an award ceremony celebrating work from across the globe.

Accolades were dished out at Premiere Cinema, in the Mercury Mall, which welcomed international filmmakers for the event.

The red carpet bash marked the finale of the week-long festival, which ran from May 24 to 30.

Japanese filmmakers Yoshino Takemoto and Shuhei Kondo from Left Of Chopin (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Spencer Hawken, its founder and director, hosted the ceremony and told attendees the seven days had seen “amazing” films showcased.

He said: “We have had people fly in from all over the world to represent their films.

Spencer Hawken (centre) hosted the ceremony (Image: Sandra Rowse)

“There is a lot of work that goes into making film that needs to be respected and the best way to reflect that is to play it on a screen.”

Hazel Blackwell and Zara Woolf from film Wild Angel (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Spencer, who also manages the Mercury, revealed organisers received so many submissions that they were unable to show 87 per cent of the films.

“(It) shows the film industry is alive and kicking,” he added.

Natalie Bays, Romford Film Festival founder, presented the best score award to Christos Andreou for Langford Tales (Image: Sandra Rowse)

One of the night’s winners was Becky Lindsay, who took home the best actress gong for her role in Burnt Toast and Cigarettes.

Alan Cooper and Danny Ashkenasi won the people’s choice accolade for best performance (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Receiving the award, she told the audience: “I was not expecting that at all. Thank you so much. I am over the moon!”

Duncan Paveling accepted best screenplay for the film Little Mary.

He said: “This is lovely. Awards are great if you win them.

Duncan Paveling was given the best screenplay award by Havering mayor Stephanie Nunn (Image: Sandra Rowse)

“This has been a very personal piece for me about my family and my first as a director. I have been really fortunate to have a fantastic crew and cast.”

Best actor went to Ralph Ineson, who starred in Waving, while the best feature film went to Out and About.

Spencer Hawken (Image: Sandra Rowse)

The event was supported by the Recorder and Michael Cox, digital audience and content editor, presented the best local film award.

“It was great to attend the event, celebrating the films at the heart of the festival and those who helped to make them,” Michael said.

The Recorder’s Michael Cox (right) handed out an award (Image: Sandra Rowse)

The countdown has already begun to next year’s festival, which has been announced for May 24 to 28 2024.

The ceremony also included award presentations for the Eurasian Film Festival.