Sadly this year's Chairman's Challenge only attracted one entry. However the single entry was made by Barry Lockwood on behalf of Huddersfield Club so we were guaranteed a slick entertaining product. It was entitled "Here We Go" and had some brilliant special effects as a lady was enticed into her garden by some strange noises. Bob Lorrimer, a member of Huddersfield Club, accepted the prize, donated by Jessops, on their behalf.
Throughout the weekend we were treated to 23 of the best entries in the Annual NERIAC Competition. Following last year's pattern the final results were not announced until the Sunday evening. Each coffee break was another opportunity to talk over the merits of those we had seen with colleagues and to speculate on which might be the eventual winner
After lunch we were treated to a nostalgic trip through the history of broadcasting by the BBC as seen by our guest speaker Terence Patrick FACI. The story started 80 years ago when Terence's father became a recording engineer with the BBC at Savoy Hill in 1925. He was at the heart of many of the technical innovations that we now take for granted in broadcasting. Terence's own career led to him becoming Director of BBC TV News, responsible for the live transmissions on the national networks. He had some hair-raising examples of the tensions that can take place in the Production rooms, behind the cool exterior of newsreaders calming talking while all hell breaks loose in their earpieces.
Terence was right in the thick of the news when he broadcast from the rubble of the explosion at the Conservative Conference. In 1989 he was responsible for setting up the first live transmissions from the House of Commons and in 1992, the first international news programmes on BBC World.
On Sunday evening the projection team were busy again as the final selection of Competition entries were enjoyed by the audience. The trophies stood proudly gleaming at the front as our Competition Officer Roger Spence read some brief notes from the judge, David Andrew. All entrants received a fuller set of judges notes, which were eagerly perused in the bar afterwards.
It had become clear from the programme that this year's Competition had attracted some new entrants. This was very encouraging, particularly since some seemed to be younger talented moviemakers. Unfortunately only one of the major trophy winners was present to collect their award.
The winner of the Regional Shield was "The Party" by Alisan Beadie, an hilarious comedy about the disasters which befall a young lady preparing to entertain some friends. The runner up in the fiction category was another comedy from a new maker, Chris Bartey. Hopefully we can look forward to being entertained again in the future (and hopefully meeting them) at future Festivals.
The winner of the Regional Shield was "The Party" by Alisan Beadie, an hilarious comedy about the disasters which befall a young lady preparing to entertain some friends. The runner up in the fiction category was another comedy from a new maker, Chris Bartey. Hopefully we can look forward to being entertained again in the future (and hopefully meeting them) at future Festivals.
Both of the best non-fiction films were about places. The Award went to Trevor Ermel for a slick kaleidoscopic view of Paris with runner up going to Billy Ellwood with his proud record of his hometown Newcastle. Alisan Beadie's film also took awards for Best Editing and Best Creative Use of Sound. The Best Novice Award went to John Brumwell for another comedy. Finally Harry Nicholls was on hand to collect the Award for Best Photography for his documentary about Brugge.
All good things must come to an end. Perhaps the only person who was slightly grateful was Derek. This had been his first Festival as Regional Chairman and he had been naturally anxious. But he needn't have worried. We met old friends and made some new ones. We saw some great movies and heard a fascinating speaker. The weather had been perfect for our journeys to Scarborough and some of us even managed an early morning stroll on the sands. And no-one went home hungry! What more could you want?
He has been making his own amateur movies for over 40 years. He founded the award-winning Circle Eight Film Group in 1964, which have won 107 separate awards at amateur festivals around the world. The documentary about his father was one of their productions.
Linda Gough, in her new role as National Chairman of the IAC, thanked him for a fascinating programme.
Linda Gough, in her new role as National Chairman of the IAC, thanked him for a fascinating programme.
