By Gazette Showbiz correspondent
Almost constant rain could not dampen the public's enthusiasm for the 2010 Dover Film Festival at the Town Hall on Monday and Tuesday (22/23 February).

Hundreds of people came to view the 2009 Dover Film by Mike McFarnell, which showed the events and personalities making the news in the town last year. Attending the event was the Mayor of Dover Cllr Sue Jones, the DCA Carnival Court, the DCAL Carnival Court, and former Mayor Jan Tranter.

Showing alongside Mike's film was the 1959 Ray Warner Film, and the entries in the Short Film Contest, the winners of which were awarded 'Oscars' on Tuesday evening.

The results were -

BEST DOCUMENTARY:

1st: The Hollingsbee Collection by Kathleen and Bob Hollingsbee

2nd: Bleriot Memorial Flight by Eric Montague

BEST FICTIONAL SHORT:

1st: Playground by Tom Shepherd and Laura Hopwood, starring Saskia Wadsworth-Smith, Ben Steele, Natalie Reed, Alice Thompson and Mollie King

2nd:Uninvited by Helen Vidler and Michael Bones, starring Michael Bones, Karol Steele, Mark Smith, Tom Foad, Jake Parker, Stacey Willis, Sharon Burford and Steph Thompson

3rd: A Quiet Night In by Roger and Dianne Barker
Highly Commended: Panic To A Ridiculous Death by Rubin Stein

BEST OVERALL

1st: Playground

2nd: Uninvited

3rd: The Hollingsbee Collection

Young Winners'. The first of many awards for these aspiring actors and film makers (l to r - Michael Bones, Helen Vidler and Ben Steele

The Best Documentary Award was collected on behalf of Bob and Kathleen by Mike McFarnell. Collecting the first and second prizes in the Best Fictional Short and Best Overall sections were Ben Steele for Playground and Helen Vidler and Michael Bones for Uninvited. Presentations were made after the showing of the 1959 Ray Warner Film. One of the stars of that film, the 1959 Dover Carnival Princess Maureen, was on hand to share her memories with Terry Sutton (former Dover reporter, chaperone for the Dover Carnival Court, and narrator of the 1959 film) and pose for photos with the 2009 Dover Carnival Court.

Young film-makers are encouraged to enter films in next year's Short Film contest. Details on how to enter will be available on the Dover Film Festival website (www.dover-film.com [4]) or the Festival Focus website (www.festivalfocus.org [5]  and search Dover Film Festival UK).

© Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2010