BLOOD TIES wins "BEST INT'L FEATURE FILM" at U.K. Fest

I just returned from Merry Old England and the End Of The Pier Film Festival in Worthing, UK. Evidently a great time of year - the weather was cold and rainy one day and fantastic the next, and then back to rain. (Sounds like winter in Atlanta!)  Worthing is south of London, on the coast, and surrounded by the history we spent time studying in books and school. The fest itself was tightly run, and had a huge turnout for the opening gala as well as some of the select films.  BLOOD TIES had it's first real screening outside of the United States. It screened in a proper theater and was really well received, and was in competition for Best Int'l Feature. Pretty cool as its a fast growing fest with work from all over the world, and it's really fun to know that with the sensibilities and views of a European audience, BT can compete and play.  After all, though I live in the US, I of course want to think the rest of the world would appreciate our work too! I got to see some really strong, significant films from a dozen countries. This is their 6th year and their reputation is increasing exponentially, and so they had several hundred submissions from all over Europe, a few from the US, and films from China, Israel, Russia, Australia, and of course others.

The programmers and the Fest Director Bryan Gartside (a film maker himself) are like many of the fest directors I have met; they really care about films. In the case of Bryan and his team, Roz, Rob, and Linda, they are really intent on finding and promoting film makers who not only do significant work, but are learning and growing even as their fest is.  I was treated with respect and enthusiasm by everyone I met, and the audiences are inquisitive and really excited to see the variety of work coming into their town.  Worthing is just the right size and location to bring in audiences and yet still be accessible to the city. In talking to Bryan and Rob James (their tech advisor along with his other hundred duties, they told me that they accept and judge films not just on their technical prowess - with all the usual categories for competition in sound, editing, etc... but were really searching for and taking into account the intangible, visceral qualities, the ability for any film to effect and move them and the audience.  I think that recognition and search for such an undefinable quality is one of the things that makes this fest so exciting and full of possibilities for for film makers and the promotion of our films.

Their are also some real opportunities for showcasing some of the winners in an alliance of film fests they have created throughout Europe and that means in effect that a film that does well at EOTP film fest might end up being shown in another dozen fests around the world with the push coming not from the filmmakers themselves but by the fest directors and other members for the alliance!  I'll definitely post more about these possibilities as I learn more about them.

I'll write more about all my impressions, and am excited that BLOOD TIES has now been seen on the other side of the world (okay okay, "The Pond").  I'll also talk more about the adventures in the small towns, the dozens of small cars they have and we don't, the sad English idea of breakfast, the trains, Brighton, and my first real castle (the castle at Disney just doesn't count any more!!!)  I really encourage all film makers to submit and be a part of this particular fest - it's an awesome feeling to know you are being seen by audiences so far away from where your project started.

Oh yeah, BLOOD TIES won "BEST INT'L FEATURE FILM!!

I'll post much more about the entire experience and have some new stills and frame grabs from KERBEROS to put up soon.  Back to making movies!!!

Festival link 

kely

http://www.bloodtiesmovie.com

http://www.kerberosbites.com

http://www.dusttoheaven.com