Last night at Dendy Cinemas Newtown, the 15th edition of A Night of Horror International Film Festival wrapped up a very big way.
Four days of screenings had seen three Aussie features having their Australian Premieres, and one Aussie feature having its World Premiere, six international features having either their Australian Premieres or International Premieres, and thirty-one short films from Australia and around the world, most of them having Australian Premieres, some having World Premieres. There were numerous wonderful Q&As following screenings, and we even had the surprise return attendance of an international feature film guest (we’re smiling at you Sylvia Caminer!)
Closing Night session saw the festival awards ceremony celebrate the talents of many local and international filmmakers, actors, and screenwriters, including the three finalists of the CUT! Teaser Trailer Competition, and a bittersweet announcement from Festival Director, Bryn Tilly.
Props to Maximum Daddy-o for the kick-on.
Spanish vanta-black comedy THE COFFEE TABLE took out three awards: Best International Feature Film, Best Feature Film Screenplay, and Best Performance in an International Feature Film. Western Australian Steven J. Mihaljevich’s VIOLETT won Best Australian Feature Film, with its star, Georgia Eyers, winning Best Australian Feature Film Performance. Best Australian Feature Film Director was won by festival alumna Ursula Dabrowsky for THE DEVIL’S WORK, and Best International Feature Director went to ex-Sydneysider Nicholas Tomnay for WHAT YOU WISH FOR. The John Wiggins Independent Spirit Award went to Sarah Tice & Zachary Beckler, from the US, for DID I?
Best Australian Short Film went to SVENGALI, Best Australian Short Film Director was won by Glenn Fraser for MOTHER TONGUE, and Best Australian Short Film Performance was won by Ben Gerrard in SVENGALI. Best International Short Film went to MANTRA (France), and its lead actor, Maud Wyler, took the Best Performance in an International Short Film award. Adesh Prasad from India won Best International Short Film Director for HIGH FUN.
The winners of the Unproduced Screenplay Competition were both Australian, Luke Wijayasinha-Gray for THE DEVIL HERSELF (feature) and Richard Patrick Doyle for DO US PART (short film), and taking out the inaugural win for the CUT! Teaser Trailer Competition was Franck Zuanic & Gareth Carr’s LITTLE LIGHT.
For the complete list of award winners visit here.
Congratulations to everyone. Sydney went out with a bang.