Film festival celebrates 10th anniversary

The film festival is celebrating a significant milestone as it marks its 10th anniversary. This festival is dedicated to highlighting the incredible work of filmmakers from the South West Harbour. Picture a stunning scene with boats gently bobbing in the water, a tall palm tree swaying in the breeze, and a bright blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds. The festival, known as the 2025 International English Riviera Film Festival Awards, will take place at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Torquay, starting at 1:00 PM GMT. Festival director John Tomkins expressed his excitement about the festival's growth over the years. It began as a simple one-day event in 2015, but it has transformed into a year-round program filled with screenings and workshops that lead up to the awards ceremony. Mr. Tomkins stated, 'It’s been amazing, from a humble beginning using a bingo screen in a local hotel. Ten years later we’re an international festival and we’ve got filmmakers flying in from Los Angeles. ' The film scene in the South West is thriving, and Mr. Tomkins noted that many previous award winners have gone on to achieve international success. He remarked, 'There’s a real buoyant scene of filmmakers in the South West, the price of technology has come down so if you want to make a film you can. ' This means that creating films has become more accessible, allowing more people to share their stories through this medium. The festival aims to put the South West on the map as a prime location for filmmaking. It is a picturesque area with a wealth of talent ready to take on the world stage. This year, the award categories include best film, best South West film, best animated film, best documentary film, and best music. The anticipation is building as everyone eagerly awaits the awards ceremony and the chance to celebrate the creativity and hard work of filmmakers.