Fakenham’s First International Film Festival Competition Shines Spotlight on Local Filmmakers
Fakenham’s inaugural International Film Festival Competition was a resounding success, with Norfolk filmmakers taking to the red carpet to celebrate their creativity and achievements.
Photos by Hannah Brodie photographer and videographer
Twelve short films made the shortlist, showcasing an impressive range of genres and styles, all connected to the theme of Norfolk. The winners were:
- Audience Choice, Fakenham Film Society: On Form – Chris Wayland
- Norfolk Theme: West Fen Cross – Will Tiley
- Under 18s: Blocked Together – Noah Boyce
- Over 18s: Isolation – Simon William Edmonson
The competition, officially listed on the International Film Festival website FilmFreeway, received praise from filmmakers for the opportunity to see their work on the big screen, with many describing the evening as having a “warm and friendly atmosphere.”
Photos by Hannah Brodie photographer and videographer
Richard Crook of Active Fakenham said:
“The film festival is the final Active Fakenham event of 2025, following a busy year that included the Riverside Festival, duck and raft races, the Easter Festival of Running, the Fakenham Arts Festival, and the Festival of Cycling. It’s been a fantastic climax to the year, and we hope Fakenham will continue to grow as a film hub. This is the second year we’ve run a film festival, and it’s wonderful to introduce both a successful film competition and a night of independent films for the first time.”
The showcase and awards ceremony were hosted by Ash Williams, Festival Director, who was impressed by the talent on display:
“I was blown away by the creativity of so many of the films. All the filmmakers should feel incredibly proud — every film looked fantastic on the big screen. The event was a resounding success, shining a spotlight on Norfolk’s vibrant and emerging filmmaking community, and setting a high bar for next year’s competition.”
Festival Highlights
The showcase featured a diverse and inspiring selection of short films and animations, spanning genres from horror and comedy to dark drama and art house. Standout films included:
- On Form – Audience Choice Award: A captivating stop-motion film exploring the inner workings of an ADHD mind.
- West Fen Cross – Norfolk Theme Award: A powerful dark drama delving into life and mortality, beautifully framed by a Norfolk winter landscape.
- Blocked Together – Under 18s Winner: An inventive art house piece exploring death and loss through a bold creative lens.
- Isolation – Over 18s Winner: A stunning multi-medium animation capturing themes of isolation and loneliness, ultimately offering a message of hope.
Active Fakenham, the organisers of the Festival and Competition, extended their gratitude to the sponsors and volunteers whose support helped make the Fakenham Film Festival 2025 an unforgettable success.
For more information, contact:
Richard Crook
Active Fakenham
07887 803091
richard@activefakenham.org.uk
