John Fitch, from Burton and South Derbyshire College, Alicia Ford, from Marston’s Brewery, and Owen Hurcombe from The Brewhouse Arts Centre
The award-winning Beer Town Film Festival from Marston’s Brewery has launched its third short film competition.
The competition, that began in 2018, and which has attracted more than 1,600 entries in its first two years, is expecting an even higher number of entries for year three.
The festival won the best event award at the 2018 Beer and Cider Marketing Awards and was also highly commended for the best integrated campaign and shortlisted for best PR campaign.
The competition calls for film makers to enter any one of four categories to find the best short fiction film, short documentary, music/advertising/promotional film, or short animation. There is an additional prize for local entrants within a 20-mile radius of Burton to recognise emerging talent from the area.
Films are judged by a panel of nationally and internationally renowned film makers and each category winner receives up £500 in cash and the chance to go on to win the coveted Hop D’Or (golden hop) festival award, with a further £1,000 in cash.
Marston’s assistant brand manager, Alicia Ford, said: “We are very proud to be involved in such a creative and exciting project for Burton. It’s all about putting our town on the map and reminding everyone about Burton-on-Trent’s incredible brewing credentials.”
In 2019, Beer Town Film Festival’s Best Overall Film was awarded to Daniel McKee for his short fiction film, “if you never answered x”. The 27-year old London-based filmmaker from Worcester studied filmmaking at Arts University Bournemouth and he was thrilled to receive the recognition. He said: “The Beer Town award really motivated me and gave me a much-needed boost to my career. It made the hours I spent on the film really count.” Daniel put his prize money straight back into making his next film.
The competition is now open for entries at beertownfilmfestival.co.uk until June 30, culminating in a weekend of events and screenings at The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-on-Trent, on October 2 and 3.
