To The Level: My Film Festival Debut 🍿🎞️🎥🎬📽️
- Lucy Moon
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
Hello world! Welcome back to another blog. In this blog I will be taking you through my first film festival in which my film “Unmasked” as I’m posting this, was screened 3 months ago (where did the time go?!?!). Here is what I got up to when I first submitted the film, along with the notification and what happened on the night itself.
What Is The festival?
To the level is a film festival where it was made by students for students, which took place at the Arc Cinema in Beeston. These included members of The Actors Workshop Nottingham like myself, which was a real benefit for me. And the students did a grand job, particularly Sarah, a lovely university student who I met at a previous screen school (a course lead by my acting teacher Tim Bryn Smith from The Actors Workshop Nottingham. You can see a link to how I found Screen School 2024 here: https://www.theautisticactress.com/post/june-screen-school-2024-refreshing-my-knowledge-gaining-some-new-footage-learning-some-screen-ac) who I should give real credit to. She definitely made it a night to remember, and I do hope she continues to do more events like this!
The Application:
It all started when Sarah sent me some information about her new film festival and asked if I could submit Unmasked. This was a huge step, as for someone to come up and ask on a film that is a topic close to my heart was incredibly touching. So I couldn’t help but not turn down the offer.
Pre Screen:
During the pre screen I got to meet the student who recommended me the festival, along with a fellow Actors Workshop member and some amazing creatives. I also met a brilliant man called John curry, who is the director and founder of Beeston Film Festival. He also gave me some tips and tricks when it came to the film festival circuit which I will definitely take on board. But the place itself before we went into the cinema was beautiful, and it definitely helped me to settle in before the main event itself.
The Screenings:
The screening of the films itself was brilliant. Of course I had to get popcorn and a tango ice blast as seen below, I wouldn’t be getting the proper cinema experience if I didn’t!
There was such a variety of films. From a documentary about a Toga tribe, to a heist going wrong, the power of friendship and a horror film. When it came to my film, I was abit on edge wondering how everyone else would find it. But I was glad with the response I got, and once my film was done I was able to enjoy myself throughout the rest of the night.
Q&A:
Before the results were announced, there was a Q&A with Sarah, John and an AD named Ciaran Shea, who is also documenting his career in stand up comedy (where if you’re not following him yet please do as he’s doing a brilliant job). Together along with questions from the audience and from Sarah herself, they gave off plenty of tips and tricks for advancing in the film industry and where to go next! Those were two people who I will definitely keep in touch with after that event.
Results:
Sadly my film wasn’t in the top 3, but in all fairness I can see why the top 3 were in there. The lady who accepted her third place award was actually the camera woman of the father featured in the film, so I can see it came from her heart as well. The second place was a horror film which left me on edge, but I can see why it’s popular with the crowd. But I can definitely see why the one that came 1st place did, as because it had the topic of dementia, it left everyone in the room (and very nearly me too) in tears. But I got a certificate of appreciation, which was a win for me.
Reflection:
Overall my experience of my first film festival was a positive one. I got to see my film on the big screen, I got to meet new people & see some amazing pieces of art. And I know that this will be the first of many yet to come.
And that was my experience of my first short film festival! I hope you enjoyed this read and please see a link to my vlog of the day itself below!
See you soon for another blog. Until next time…
This is The Autistic Actress signing off :)
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