Calmer and less overwhelmed after this weekend’s events, here in this wetting, I reflect on Snapshot’s first film festival screening, and first win!
An old converted Spinners Mill is Wigan & Leigh’s brand new venue for their 9th annual festival. An amazing sight to behold, and a promising startup of creative hubs to hopefully be integrated within the space, with desires to come back next year just to see!
Run by an amazing community of volunteers, the cinema exhibition and bar area sits comfortably within the building, where Snapshot played penultimately in a screening of 12 equally as amazing short films. Ranging from; stunning dramas, a documentary, animations and really funny comedies.
With me was Producer Sam and his partner Jenny (who helped get us there), and we genuinely didn’t expect there to be awards, until we saw them all being presented on a podium.
We joked and discussed what I would say if I was to win, and I simply remarked “Probably just a long list of names to thank.” and enjoyed all of the films that were screened.
This was my first time watching Snapshot on “the big screen”, and was impressed with how it played out, especially with the intricate Sound Design that I remember taking a fair few attempts to get right.
My heart raced throughout, as I tend not to do well with the screening of my work around others. All I could gauge was a pin-drop silence, and an extended applause that almost ran the whole of the credits!
Once that was over and done with, I thought “We’ll see who wins, and then off we pop.” That was until Snapshot was awarded the Best Short Film in the UK & International category.
Now, I’m not a big fan of surprises, but I think I managed to hold my own with this one. The whole minute or so felt like a fever dream! But if I remember rightly, managed to speak the following words that won’t be remembered as the best of acceptance speeches:
“Wow. I genuinely didn’t think there’d be any awards tonight. I’m ironically speechless. So many people to thank. I don’t know what else to say.” - The inbetween erms and ahs were omitted.
To which a lovely old lady at the front nicely remarked “Then don’t, that’s enough love.” So I simply left it at that.
I did manage to speak to a handful of people who praised Snapshot, but I honestly grew too overwhelmed, which is why I sadly couldn’t stay.
For me, I think the shock and surprise was present because of how long I’d been working on Snapshot. Every draft rewritten, extended Pre-Production due to lockdown (with uncertainties of it ever getting off the ground!), the shoot date, and the pass after pass of the edit. The first clocking in at just over 20 minutes!
You have to bare in mind, this project has been wedged into part of my psyche for the last 4 years, hence why at times, it doesn't feel like "It's only a movie.". From meeting and greeting Producer Sam for the first time, to the sigh of relief after viewing the final cut of the film, ready for the film festival circuit.
To already at the first successful festival selection already score a first win has also somewhat lifted my spirits, having had some personal struggles of late.
I’d be content if it becomes the only selection win, but you never know!
Hence the gratitude and messy lists of people to thank on a garbled Twitter thread! This incredibly personal story of mine made at a lower budget than some of the others at the screening, making an impact. That in its infancy, started off as a short story of one failed job interview.
As future projects hopefully emerge, Snapshot will always have a close place in my heart, especially for the closeness and collaborative nature of the project, and how we endeavoured to put a lot of love and care into it. Being given that opportunity to realise my vision and tell this story that should hopefully resonate and give hope to others.
And this first screening and win, is most definitely a wetting firmly printed on the floor of my career.
Now, a question I never thought I needed to ask myself. Where in my house can the award go?
