Roll Cameras.. Action! The Ealing Film Festival is Launched
New online competition gets support from past and present MPs
Steve Pound former MP for Ealing North
MPs past and present have given their backing to the newly launched Ealing Film Festival (EFF).
The Festival was created by a group of Ealing residents, now setting up as a Community Interest Company (CIC), and was able to proceed after they won a small community start-up grant from social consultancy We Coproduce.
The aim is to provide an outlet for new and up-and-coming filmmakers from the borough, throughout London, the UK and globally; a positive focus for artists and creatives in this very difficult year in which music, theatre and cinema have all been dealt a massive body blow.
One of the EFF Organisers, Alan Granley, who also runs Ealing's Classic Cinema Club, says: ''The Ealing Film Festival came about because of a love of film, of cinema and the people that make it. We felt it was a need in Ealing with our long history of filmmaking with Ealing Studios in the heart of the borough and shining a spotlight on emerging filmmakers during this time of pandemic. To be honest it feels like such a natural fit. Ealing Film Festival! We are online this year and plan to make the transition to live screenings as soon as is possible. We love Ealing and hope this adds to the vibrancy and creativity of our home.''
Rupa Huq MP Ealing Central and Acton
Giving her support to the Film Festival, Ealing Central and Acton MP, Rupa Huq has offered to host the award winners at her workplace. She spoke of the significance of Ealing in the history of the film industry and said '' We're lucky to have such a brilliant film heritage here.. but let's not just look back...there will be a number of exciting things to come out of this Festival including a screening at the House of Commons where the lucky winners films will be shown."
Steve Pound, Veteran Parliamentarian and the MP for Ealing North for 22 years welcomed the Festival in his own inimitable style saying:''Some people talk of Hollywood, others talk about Bollywood but the real celluloid capital is Ealing. This is the home of cinema, but we don't just have a glorious past here in Ealing, we have a wonderful future, and that future is EFF - the Ealing Film Festival. Join us Online, soon join us in the real world, but above all join us, here in the film capital of the civilised world... Ealing!''
James Murray MP, who took the Ealing North Labour seat after Mr Pound stood down in 2019, has also given the thumbs up and encouraged everyone to support. He said 2020 has been really hard for so many people and this festival was something he was more than happy to promote.
James Murray MP Ealing North
Due to the current climate this first Film Festival will be managed online with further information to be found on the website and entries through the recognised Film Freeway portal.
There are a number of genre categories for Short film submissions (15 minutes or less) as well as additional points of entry for students, smartphone films and a special ''Homegrown'' section - for Ealing residents or for any that feature Ealing in the film. Early bird fee discounts are currently available. Entries are already coming in from Europe and as far afield as Thailand and the USA. Prizes will be awarded (tbc) as well as winners' laurels.
EFF organisers are seeking local support in this inaugural year, and pleased to announce a number of companies have offered to help.
A2 Dominion are Festival Sponsors with developers St George providing the overall winner's cash prize - and the winner will also be awarded with a weekend stay in Ealing courtesy of newtown centre hotel chain Hampton-By Hilton.
Ealing Distillery producers of Ealing Gin and Pitshanger Estate Agents John Martin Estates are also sponsors, providing prizes for two of the categories.
Any other businesses that can help are being urged to contact info@ealingfilmfestival.com
The deadline for film entries is 2 December with winners to be announced at the end of December.
Annemarie Flanagan
October 18 2020