Apologies for the near 4 months of silence. I've had a lot to deal with.
Good film-related news here however, as Snapshot received two more successful film festival selections!
The first, for Catalyst International Film Festival in Limerick, Ireland. A very suitable home for Snapshot to screen in, given the festival's primary aims for disability representation, as well as challenging the stigmas and stereotypes across the board.
Typically however, my passport expired a month before the selections were announced, and it was too last minute to arrange anything or anyone else to appear in Ireland on Snapshot's behalf.
No wins, but the screening of the short had nothing but a positive and warming reception, and I find each selection to be more of a win than the last! So once again, gratitude to Catalyst for helping spread further awareness of Snapshot's message.
Romford however, required no passport. Despite only living there for 5 years before moving (my salad days were in Basildon and Southend), I've always had a strong, family connection to this 'historic market town'.
Memories of my late Nan taking me to Raphael Park to feed the ducks, or mosey through the noisy hustle and bustle of the markets and South Street.
So where once was a Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre now sits The Mercury Shopping Centre. It has done for some time! And parked at the top, Premiere Cinemas, the venue of The Romford Film Festival.
Further memories evoked of visiting there only a decade ago, when tickets were only £2 (now £4.50), to see the likes of Inception and Nightcrawler there.
This is why such a selection had even more of a personal and sentimental connection to me than the others. Though each means the world to me, this one was something of a homecoming.
Lead Actor of Snapshot Josh Ward, even journeyed hundreds of miles across the country to appear for his first viewing of the short on a big widescreen! With this being my 3rd viewing of it in such an environment, I wholeheartedly related to his nerves with it all!
It acted as an amazing catch up with him. Considering we barely got a chance to properly speak or get to know each in person on set (2 years ago now!), it was the perfect occasion for such.
The attendance was low, but such can be a mixed bag when venturing to various Film Festivals up and down the country.
Snapshot played penultimate in a showcase of Short Films that shared similar themes of glimmering hope amongst despair within difficult topics, from various countries too! The line up was as follows;
The Last Knight
The Online Shop
Good Grief
Peaceful Nights
Sensibility
Hello, Muscles
Snapshot
Borrowed Time
Thankfully, I didn't sink into my seat on this viewing! My heart still raced, as I was sat between a close friend of mine and Josh and my Mum and Stepdad, who although has already seen it sat amazed to see how well it plays on a bigger screen, bursting with pride. I had to give Josh a cheeky fist bump after the firm applause.
Following a quick interval, Josh and I then took to the stage with the Director of The Online Shop Carsten Woike, and there began my first experience of a panel interview.
This was where I was my initially most nervous. The build up to this, more than watching Snapshot in and amongst an audience for the third time.
It seemed to fly by though, as I know the production of this personal story like the back of my hand, and seemed very comfortable and in my element. I took great care in emphasising my praise and thanks to Producer Sam Barnett as well as BFI Network and Film Hub North, whom, without Snapshot would've only ever been an 'if' and not a 'when'.
I warmly smiled as most of the questions for the Q&A were aimed at Josh Ward, who answered eloquently and further promoted the whole purpose and primary message of Snapshot. I myself was bursting with pride, biting my tongue to not simply cheer "Go on Josh, you tell them!" Following this, more people personally telling me of their personal anecdotes and wholeheartedly relating to the film's personal and deep-rooted messages.
The whole build up, screening and Q&A took its toll on not only myself, but Josh. The fact that he travelled hundreds of miles up across the country to see himself on the big screen and help me represent Snapshot, speaks volumes to how personal and how much this Short Film means to Josh, as much as it means to me and everyone who helped make it possible. An absolute pleasure!
So, where next for Snapshot on its film festival journey? Well, following a screening at The Poole Lighthouse curated by Josh himself, who knows? We'll just have to see if anymore homecomings are lined up or not for all who helped bring Snapshot to life!