Wirral International Film Festival

THE second Wirral International Film Festival (WIFF) finished with a bang on Friday, with awards handed out in front of a packed auditorium.

Almost 100 films were shown over the six-day run of the festival, which featured work by talented up and coming Wirral film-makers, experienced producers, continental auteurs and school children making their first cuts.

17-year-old Terry Cheung emerged from WIFF, not only highly rated by organisers, but with the Best Short Film and the Alan Clarke Award, for outstanding achievement, under his belt.

Sarah McGuiness, who used last year’s event as an opportunity to network in order to enter WIFF 2009, bagged the Wirral News Award, based entirely on public vote, and the Best Actress Award for The Scorpion.

Best Documentary was picked up by Anthony McWatt for On the Road with Robert Pirsig, the Best French Film was judged to be Le Carreau Rouge, while Tina Read was commended with the Special Vesbim Award.

WIFF co-organiser Alan Veste told Wirral News: “It seemed more exciting this year.

“I think people are starting to see it as a bit more ongoing and are starting to look forward to it, rather than just turning up not knowing what to expect.”

Among the audiences this year was a healthy delegation of Italians, both continental and Wirral based, thanks to the links forged with our twin town, Latina.

And Alan says the town’s film commission is willing to help fund WIFF 2010, so taken were they with the project.

He said: “They loved it, especially because some of the films were Italian.”

Even Wirral’s mayor, Cllr Andrew Hodson dropped by to see what all the fuss was about.

Other awards went to Ryan Kruger for Best Music Video and Best Director (short film), James Mannings for Best Director (music), Greasby Junior School won the Children’s Award and Gediminas Petkunas for Best Actor in a short film