The 1st Branchage Jersey International Film Festival www.branchagefestival.com came to a spectacular close on Sunday night. From the stunning Thursday opening in St Helier’s opulent Opera House where award winning UK documentary MAN ON WIRE was met with acclaim and amazement, to the final walk up the 144 steps of medieval Gorey Castle stopping for cider on the battlements, to finish with the hilarious new British rom-com FAINTHEART. To try and even start to mention highlights from the literally hundreds of events, screenings and moments over the four days between is impossible – for a snapshot check the Branchage Flickr site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/27614160@N03/?fb_page_id=15167454394 being updated as we speak.

The general feedback from both Jersey islanders and visiting guests has been overwhelmingly positive. The help and dedication of people in the UK and Jersey to running the Festival, from the core team and the many Festival volunteers, to the organisations and venues that supported it, has been fantastic. There are way too many to mention here. The industry friends who came over to represent the mainland film industry, such as Shooting People, Lifesize Pictures, Pictureworks, and the UK-based filmmakers, producers, and actors who made the effort, all left Jersey smiling and happy and ready to return in 2009! Many said it was like the Festival was well-established and running for years rather than a first effort.

A big congratulation to the winners of the Islanders Short Film Award:
First Prize: MADRUGADA (Michael Pearce)
Runner Up: BROAD BEAN DOWN (Andy Evans)
Runner Up: FIRST IMPRESSIONS (Ed Williamson)
Shooting People Special Mention: BAD PENNY (Matt Fackrell)

The jury was made up of John Davey (Spearpoint), Kevin Lewis (Jersey Forum Cinema), James Mullighan (Shooting People), Rebecca Mark-Lawson (Lifesize Pictures).

We’d like to thank our main sponsors Spearpoint, Play.com, and Jersey Trust Company.

Finally, a big thanks to Branchage Creative Director Xanthe Hamilton for having the vision and enthusiasm for Branchage.