Press release December 2003

At its final meeting of 2003, Surrey Border Film & Video Makers had its major annual competition. For this members submitted films on any topic they liked but of length not more than six minutes. Everyone was surprised and pleased that a record 22 films were entered. Most were shown before the refreshment break with a few afterwards, prior to the judges making their comments and presenting the cups and certificates. The judges were Ann and Chris Moorey.

At the end of the very full evening, everyone went away with plenty of good ideas for future films. The quality had been remarkably good, and comments were made that the films were of a noticeably higher standard than many which had been entered for a recent regional film competition held elsewhere in Surrey.

The club committee was delighted that several prizes went to relatively new members and members who had not entered any competitions before. This trend, considered alongside the increasing membership, indicates that the club is providing a good stimulus for its new young filmmakers.

Two days after the club meeting, members adjourned to the Alton House Hotel, which put on a magnificent Christmas lunch with all the traditional dishes and trimmings. Plenty of wine and good cheer flowed. Some members even used the opportunity to shoot part of a film, which needed a crowd scene in a hotel. Everyone clearly enjoy themselves, with lively discussions carrying on until late in the afternoon. So the event was the ideal conclusion to the club year.