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Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2021 9:39 am
by Michael Slowe
I'd completely forgotten that I did book a hotel for BIAFF and I've just found the confirmation. I'm at the Novotel for the two nights in a standard room with "a double bed with convertible sofa", whatever that might entail. So there is room for a pretty local girl if I could find one, although my wife, who is remaining in London, might not wholly approve.

I also have not seen a booking form for BIAFF events so will investigate the web site. I very much hope that with all the new Covid varients that the event will proceed. I rather think that it will because we are all now in the same boat, mostly vaccinated, and Omicron appears to be much milder than previous versions.

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2021 11:31 pm
by Dave Watterson
It is worrying that so many people did not seem to get the BIAFF booking form in the recent issue of 'Film & Video Maker' (the one with the giant Kelpies on the cover.)

However you can now find it on www.biaff.org.uk/uploads/5/8/9/8/589828 ... an__1_.pdf

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2021 10:29 pm
by ned c
We had originally planned our visit to Europe for the first time in two years to coincide with BIAFF but have cancelled in the light of the increasing shut down as Omicron spreads and a fear we may not be able to get back. It's a new world.
ned c

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2021 12:05 pm
by Dave Watterson
The sad fact is that none of us can be certain what might be possible next April.

I know a few of our European visitors, who usually enjoy BIAFF, are hoping to come but they share the same worries as Ned. Even if they can come to Britain, will they be able to go home afterwards. At present France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria and Germany are pretty much in a lockdown - or at least very much on the way there.

At this stage in UK it feels as if the medics really want a lockdown now (20th December) while the government wants to keep the economy open so far as possible until Christmas. Therefore I expect a lockdown immediately after Christmas. The Westminster government has never understood that for Scots Hogmanay is the real holiday. The unknown factor is whether the wave of Omicron will have crested and died away within a few weeks of the New Year. Let's hope so.

But for the sake of sanity, those of us who do not have to risk international journeys ought to think positive. See you in Birmingham in April!

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2021 1:13 pm
by Howard-Smith
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’d be gutted, devastated, if the live BIAFF event in Birmingham were to be cancelled and just held on Zoom again.
It’s high time we got on with life and learned to live with the virus (as we have for years with the flu virus which can kill people) otherwise we face years of endless restrictions and lockdowns, with people cowering in terror and not going to any live events at all. A close friend of mine is terrified of the virus despite already having tested positive in 2020 with no symptoms, and is refusing to go to any live events. We’ve had some rather heated conversations on the subject as we have such contrasting views on the situation.
According to the top South African doctor who brought the Omicron variant to our attention, the symptoms are very mild compared with the Delta variant, but the government is not telling us this. We are bombarded with statistics which I don’t trust. There are three kinds of lies - lies, damned lies and statistics. People generally don’t die of Covid… the vast majority of people who catch it recover in a relatively short space of time. Some people are dying WITH Covid but what other illnesses did they have as well? (And how many of them have refused the vaccine?) If I catch Covid and then get run over by a bus within 28 days I get put down as a Covid related death.
Keep calm and carry on, I say.
Rant over.
I realise that many people will disagree with me but so be it, that’s how I see it.

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2021 6:17 pm
by Richard Scarsbrook
Well here's another view. https://vimeo.com/455043781. I generally just lurk on forums, but since I uploaded this film to Vimeo about half an hour ago I thought I'd post it. The first six minutes got four stars at BIAFF 2021, and the new version has one update reflecting the situation in September and another reflecting the situation right up to this morning.

As to people cowering in terror, I've been doing adventure sports all my life. Amongst other things I've done over 2500 scuba dives. Obviously you don't do that if you're frightened of risk. But you don't survive it if you ignore the risks; you have to recognise them, understand them, and manage them.

Regulations permitting, I'm expecting to spend Xmas with family, New Year with friends, and attend a live BIAFF in April - we've already booked.

Seasons Greetings.

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2021 1:16 pm
by Michael Slowe
This whole matter just has to be addressed with a sense of proportion. Of course you can die of Covid, as you can of many other ailments, and Covid, is spread incredibly easily. As Richard says, risks have to be assessed, but I do believe that the risks with Covid are fairly remote and decreasing as the variants appear to be getting milder in their effect. For a fully vaccinated (currently three) person, in good health, to remain in isolation and fearful, seems to me ridiculous. On the other hand, parties and close mixing don't seem a good idea but meeting with friends and family in the normal way is, to my mind, acceptable. My wife and I shop in masks, hug children and grandchildren but avoid cinemas and theatres. I even gave up my regular visit to watch Arsenal play football because we do rather get herded together on entering the stadium.

Less hysteria in the Press would help and quoting decreasing numbers of people needing hospital treatment for Covid, would also be a good idea.

Keep calm but, for goodness sake, carry on.

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2021 11:24 pm
by ned c
Although most infected people recover there are a number who develop infections that require maximum health care support; at this moment the ICU in our local hospital is 93% full with predominantly CoVid patients. This has been a roller coaster here as the numbers rise and fall; usually associated with some holiday or crowd event.

Our concern is being caught in a lockdown situation and unable to get home; this has happened in a number of countries.

I believe that Zoom meetings are a way of getting together that is effective and with experience can be very productive.

Will it be mandatory to be vaccinated and show the certificate to attend BIAFF? If not then given the average of IAC members this could be a high risk event.
ned c

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2021 9:46 am
by Howard-Smith
If BIAFF 2022 could be a live event for all who wish to attend AND also streamed live for all who wish to remain at home, we would have the best of both worlds.
I maintain my view that it should definitely go ahead in Birmingham as a live event.
I find it utterly depressing to envisage a future where people stay at home for EVERYTHING and never go out shopping, to theatres, cinemas, shows, holidays etc. As someone who has lived alone for 45 years I want and need personal interaction, to socialise, at live events and meetings.
While I was delighted to receive a BIAFF Diamond award in 2021 I was denied the pleasure of being presented with it in front of a live audience and it was just sent to me in the post.
BIAFF remains the highlight of my calendar year and is the main incentive for me making my films. For BIAFF not to go ahead in Birmingham would be extremely disappointing.

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:39 am
by tom hardwick
A quick scan through the above posts doesn't reveal who it is that is talking over as Competition Officer now that David Newman has retired from the role. Was it announced and I missed it?

I ask because a few of us judges have been banging our heads together in an effort to refine and improve the BIAFF judging experience, and we'd like to present these thoughts to the Powers that Be.

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 3:28 pm
by Dave Watterson
The competition appears to be run by a team:
Simon Sumner
Mike Whyman
John Howden

All can be reached on biaffcompetition@gmail.com

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 4:32 pm
by tom hardwick
Thanks Dave

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2022 4:24 pm
by Jon Pegg
Looking forward to seeing everybody there

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2022 8:48 am
by John Simpson
This is a new point:

With the evening showings on-line YouTube link, it takes a long time for my set up to start the film, about a minute. And then there is a tendencey for the sound and video to go out of sync. I wonder if this is because a lot of people are using the same link and video at the same time - does anybody know about this sort of tech?

When I use YouTube normally everything works OK

Re: BIAFF 2022

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:05 am
by tom hardwick
I too have wondered about this John - that YouTube might somehow 'crash' if too many access the same link at the same time, but I'm assured that this isn't how the technology is set up. The fact that 40 or so of us have no trouble accessing the YT link makes me say with some conviction that the problem is your end, and perhaps it's something to do with your router or ISP. But then again you say that clicking YT links at any other time gives you no such hassle, so my argument doesn't hold much weight, sorry.