Glitz and Glamour at the Student Film Oscars

Everyone looks for an excuse to get dolled and dressed up, and last night was no exception.  With tuxedos and beautiful dresses, students of Duchess's Community High School were dressed to impress for their first ever Student Film Oscars.

Hosted at The Alnwick Playhouse fitted with a red carpet and cocktails, films and documentaries created by film and media students were showcased in front of families and friends.

But not only that, those lucky enough to be shortlisted in the different categories were in the running to win an award: their very own Oscar.

The lovely Ian Mclaughlin, co-founder of Newcastle-based comedy group The Suggestibles hosted the evening, bringing light and laughter to the room with his quick-witted jokes brightening the mood between the dark and disturbing films. His joke about Harry Styles got his best laugh of the night. Film Club representative Ravnit Hunjan, film director Andy Simpson and local MP Alan Beith also attended the event, with Beith and Simpson presenting the awards.

Ravnit Hunjan and Andy Simpson.

Short films created by the Lower School Film Studies class kicked off the night, and I must say they were brilliant. Opening with Dr Renfield's House, a film about a girl from an asylum who has a dream where she is killed left the audience feeling chills. 

All of the films featured dark, haunting themes and were of a very high standard. It is amazing what the current Year 11's and 12's were capable of, with some of the films dealing with sensitive subjects,  such as Phantasmagoria, which deals with schizophrenia and alcohol addiction.

After a screening of the short films, the shortlist and the winners for the lower-school were announced with proper 'Oscar-style' suspense, presented to the winners by Alan Beith.

Best Actor was awarded to Kirsty Hensleigh for her excellent portrayal of the girl from the asylum in Dr Renfield's House. 

Kirsty Hensleigh with her 'Best Actor' award.

Kirsty said, "It was a little weird seeing my face on the big screen, but it's good to know that everyone's hard work payed off. It was very overwhelming but I thoroughly enjoyed the night."

Dr Renfield's House received another award in the form of Best Director, awarded to Daniel Thomassen.

Daniel Thomassen.

Best Cinematography and Best Film were awarded to the team behind the wonderfully shot Phantasmagoria.

Cast and crew of Phantasmagoria.

Matthew Walton, middle, said "I'm very proud and happy, but it was bizarre and a little embarrassing seeing our film. It got the reaction we hoped for."

There was also another award up for grabs for Best Documentary from current Year 11 Media Studies Students.

Clips from the documentaries were shown, with Fishing For Likes, a documentary about 'Facebook fame', and Awkward Moments, (rather self-explanatory) receiving the greatest reactions from the audiences. 

In the end, the hilarious Awkward Moments came out on top, rewarding us with the full length documentary- a light-hearted and funny ending to a dark first half.

Beth Lewington, who starred in the documentary thought no one would laugh and it would be seen as cliche, but she is glad it got the response it did. All the hard work payed off, and was praised throughout the interval.

After the interval, it was back to the awards, this time for current sixth form and former Year 13's. 

Again, the Gothic theme continued, however much darker this time. Especially the likes of Accentuate The Positive. Ben was another film with a serious message behind it, dealing with bullying and suicide.

To present the awards this time was Andy Simpson.

Best actor was awarded to Ben Kinloch for his portrayal in Ben. He said, "It was a really big surprise winning Best actor. I just did it as a favour, I didn't expect this at all."

Ben Kinloch with his Best Actor award.

Best Cinematography was awarded to Louis Burton and Tom Woollett, for their fantastic Western movie After The Heist which looked very professional and well edited and shot.

Barney Healy-Smith, former student was awarded Best Director for the rather disturbing film Accentuate The Positive, and seemed pretty chuffed with his award.

Barney Healy-Smith receiving his Oscar from Andy Simpson.

The final award of the night was awarded to Otello Calvert for Best Short Film, a film about thinking about ideas for a film, with acting from Matthew Slack that left the audience in stitches. 

Otello Calvert receiving his award.

The night was a huge success with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves, laughing and smiling at seeing their friends on the big screen. Maurice Hall, Headteacher of Duchess's Community High School believed it was an amazing first for the school, showing so much talent, technical ability and wonderful acting.

Fingers crossed this will be an annual event, as it really did seem to be a very enjoyable evening for all involved.

It may not be the real thing, but you never know, maybe in ten years time these talented students will be attending huge award ceremonies for their work.

© Images by Stacey Turnbull