The Guernsey Lily Festival 2010
Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 11:49 am
We have just returned from another excellent festival on Guernsey. Great people, fine food and super films ... but all tinged with sadness since this might be the last Guernsey Lily.
The island politicians who attended and the redoubtable Joan Ozanne declared they would try to obtain more support from the States (the island's government) ... but since Peter and Mary Rouillard have made it clear they are standing down, the even bigger question is who might organise and run the festival even if it can be funded. If its unique character is lost it will take some years to re-establish its position as one of the best world events for our kind of movie making.
For 19 years it has offered a welcome addition to LAFF/BIAFF and later to the Cotswold Festival. Good as BIAFF is, film makers should have an alternative contest. For those of us who enjoy going to festivals, the Guernsey has been by far the friendliest - and thanks to the special local restaurant deals the most fattening festival - of all.
On the positive side it was a delight to have James Webber present so that we could talk about his film Dancer which took the top award. Many other film makers were there too - including all but one of the six "Lily" (top) award winners. Anna Kasten, maker of the moving and beautiful Rainbow Angel was there, as was Michal Stenzel one of the makers of Between the touching, humorous film which did well at the last BIAFF. To everyone's delight Belgian film maker Urbain Appeltans attended looking fit and well after many years of illness.
Ron Prosser and Linda Gough made formal thanks to all the Lily organisers, there were video greetings from around the world ... and a charming moment when Harold and Maisie Trill presented Mary and Peter Rouillard with special presents. The Trills have been long-time supporters of the event, but their most loyal supporters - who have only missed one or two festivals in its history - are the Scots contingent who received special awards!
There will be more reports on the main website soon ...
Dave
The island politicians who attended and the redoubtable Joan Ozanne declared they would try to obtain more support from the States (the island's government) ... but since Peter and Mary Rouillard have made it clear they are standing down, the even bigger question is who might organise and run the festival even if it can be funded. If its unique character is lost it will take some years to re-establish its position as one of the best world events for our kind of movie making.
For 19 years it has offered a welcome addition to LAFF/BIAFF and later to the Cotswold Festival. Good as BIAFF is, film makers should have an alternative contest. For those of us who enjoy going to festivals, the Guernsey has been by far the friendliest - and thanks to the special local restaurant deals the most fattening festival - of all.
On the positive side it was a delight to have James Webber present so that we could talk about his film Dancer which took the top award. Many other film makers were there too - including all but one of the six "Lily" (top) award winners. Anna Kasten, maker of the moving and beautiful Rainbow Angel was there, as was Michal Stenzel one of the makers of Between the touching, humorous film which did well at the last BIAFF. To everyone's delight Belgian film maker Urbain Appeltans attended looking fit and well after many years of illness.
Ron Prosser and Linda Gough made formal thanks to all the Lily organisers, there were video greetings from around the world ... and a charming moment when Harold and Maisie Trill presented Mary and Peter Rouillard with special presents. The Trills have been long-time supporters of the event, but their most loyal supporters - who have only missed one or two festivals in its history - are the Scots contingent who received special awards!
There will be more reports on the main website soon ...
Dave