BIAFF 2025 - results and more

A forum for sharing views on the art of film, video and AV sequence making as well as on competitions, judging and festivals.
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fraught
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

Post by fraught »

I haven't watched the 'Right to reply video', but I did watch the film "Seeds we sow" just now. Having not read the feedback, I think I would have given it a High 2* maybe low 3* if pushed. There is some technical merit in there, but there are lots and lots of things that need and can be improved upon if the filmmakers are looking to up their game. This is purely my opinion as a fellow filmmaker.

We all LOVE making movies, which is why we do it. We treat our final films as our babies. Some get viewed by others, some never get finished. I know of a film that has been something like 15 years in the making, purely down to the Director never wanting to stop tinkering with it. (Look up the film 'Invasion of the not quite dead' if you're interested in hearing his story). But when our films are done and we unleash them on the public, we have to understand that EVERYONE is different, and will get a different experience when watching the film we have spent so much blood sweat and tears putting together. This year I submitted a film, and was expecting a 5*. My opinion. It got a 4*. Not too upset, but I felt it was better than that. Again, my opinion. I read the feedback, some of which I disagreed with, especially the reasons for it being a 4 and not a 5* which seemed incredibly trivial. But hey, I've been in this boat before.

I do regularly judge at BIAFF, and I've also had the pleasure of being a final round judge too, so know how difficult it is. I remember the year I was final round judge, we gave the top award to a film that I absolutely adored, but talking to other entrants at the festival it would appear the film divided the audience. So even the best films, can still draw immense criticism.

I absolutely hated the film 'Minecraft'... but it's made tons and tons of cash! So what do i know? ;-)
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fraught
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

Post by fraught »

On another note... my short 4* film 'Shhhhh' is being screened on Saturday at the festival... and sadly for yet another year, I am unable to make it. I'm a Goalball Coach and my team need me ;) But if anyone does see it, I'd love to know what you think of it. I'll take all of your feedback on the chin. :)
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Howard-Smith
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

Post by Howard-Smith »

Geoff, Shhhh was another of your great shorts following on from the likes of Selfie and Smile. The actress was absolutely terrific and should have been nominated for Best Acting. I found the film gripping and really well made (to professional standard). It came across to me as worthy of 5 Stars. Regarding the perceived reception at the screening my feeling is that a number of audience members were not horror film fans and purely for that reason I suspect they didn’t care for it. For those of us who can cope with the horror genre it was a real treat. Keep up the great work Geoff.
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fraught
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

Post by fraught »

Bless you Howard. Thank you! Congrats on your awards by the way! I can imagine you are pleased as punch! :)
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

Post by Howard-Smith »

Many thanks Geoff. Yes I was delighted to receive the ‘Best Comedy’ award. I don’t make many comedies but of course there is no ‘Best Drama’ or ‘Best Thriller’ (or even ‘Best Horror’) award.
As an aside, I usually think that the ‘Best Story’ award goes to the wrong film. But we all have our own opinions and the judges’ decisions will never be approved of and agreed with by everyone.
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

Post by Michael Slowe »

All this talk about grades and critiques is ridiculous. You don't get this with the professionals, why should us non commercial film makers be any more sensitive. We always tend to regard our own films as being better than they actually are, that's human nature, but to moan when others disagree is utterly unreasonable. The suggestion made lately, and being considered, is that the grading system be discontinued. Critiques can still be sent and the status of a film will be indicated by the fact that it is shown and also by the special awards given. What do others think of this suggestion?
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

Post by tom hardwick »

The big BIAFF screen made all the films look better, more frightening, funnier, more beautiful, more involving. But with so many seats to choose from I was somewhat surprised at how many in our congregation choose to sit way off axis, up there near the exit doors. Maybe the tiered seating being devoid of a central aisle made it more difficult to get to the central positions.

And while I'm here, a great big thank you to the tireless organisational team, a team that made everything run so smoothly. Excellent touches such as the film previews, the music, the red carpet, the glittering Diamonds, all to genuine applause that lasted three days.
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Martin Evans
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

Post by Martin Evans »

fraught wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 10:32 am On another note... my short 4* film 'Shhhhh' is being screened on Saturday at the festival... and sadly for yet another year, I am unable to make it. I'm a Goalball Coach and my team need me ;) But if anyone does see it, I'd love to know what you think of it. I'll take all of your feedback on the chin. :)
Hi Geoff, Enjoyed your film Shhhh. I have to confess, that knowing your style, I was braced for the jumps when they came.

There was a film I thought you'd enjoy on the first session on the Sunday morning. It was a 4 minute film called "Playtime" by Zoe Buddie. And, frankly, it was bloody horrible. But in a way I know you'd appreciate. I'm sure you should be able to find a link to it somewhere... If not, get back to me and I might be able to find it.
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fraught
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

Post by fraught »

Thanks Martin. I've had a quick look on the usual places and don't see it, so if you do have a link, i'd love to see it. :-)
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Dave Watterson
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

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fraught
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

Post by fraught »

Thanks Dave. :-)
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Dave Watterson
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

Post by Dave Watterson »

I have just posted a collection of films from the 2025 BIAFF which are available online:

https://www.biaff.org.uk/2025-watch-on-line.html

Please let me know of any problems and of any more films accessible through YouTube or Vimeo etc.
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John Simpson
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

Post by John Simpson »

What a pity that most of the award winning films cannot be seen on th BIAFF webpage. With the best will in the world many people are unable to get to Birmingham for the Festival. :(
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Dave Watterson
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Re: BIAFF 2025 - results and more

Post by Dave Watterson »

More may be available in time, but if the film makers are putting them into other festivals they tend not to have their whole film online ... indeed some festivals insist on that.
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