The Film & Video Institute
The Guernsey Lily Festival, 2004
Report by Dave Watterson
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The Film & Video Institute |
The Guernsey Lily Festival, 2004 Report by Dave Watterson |
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Report by Dave Watterson | Results
RELAXING IN GUERNSEY...
But there is a spirit of relaxed helpfulness throughout the island which compensates for such challenges. People stop and make way for tourist cars. Should you get lost, someone will help. Though it is a small island there is a wonderful variety of scenery. Round every corner is a restaurant, craft shop, beautiful bay, ruined castle or attraction. For most delegates getting to and from the festival venue at La Villette Hotel was simple: they stayed there! Others who booked too late had a short walk or drive from nearby hotels. The hotel was attractive, served good meals and had a ballroom which made a fine cinema for the festival shows. Celebrations began on Friday 1st October with a Vin d'Honneur (wine and nibbles) in the impressive Sausmarez Manor - a privately owned stately home. The delegates, 38 from off-island, had a chance to meet and mingle and to be greeted with quiet friendliness by the festival organisers: Peter and Mary Rouillard, Richard and Afifa Rouillard, Laurie and Joan Ozanne. Peter, Richard and Joan have been the driving force behind the festival since it began 13 years ago. They set the tone: gentle, open, friendly, warm and welcoming. On Saturday morning we all had a chance to explore, do some shopping and get fresh air before starting the Gala Shows in the afternoon and evening. The heart of any film festival is its entries. Guernsey had 98 entries this year from 11 countries. The Rouillard brothers chose the initial short list then a team of judges decided the prizes.
The main awards were presented by the Queen's representative on the island, The Lieutenant-Governor, Sir John Foley. Other awards were presented by the generous local sponsors. On Sunday there were shows of other selections from the festival entries - well-balanced programmes of entertaining and thoughtful movies. This was a chance to see a few works familiar from other festivals and to see material not otherwise known in the UK. Throughout the weekend there were tributes to Joan Ozanne, who is stepping down from the organising team. Joan has become a friend to hundreds of festival visitors. She and her husband are generous in their hospitality and unfailing in kindness. To mark the occasion the Ozannes presented the festival with a new trophy, for one of her favourite types of film: Travelogues. We all hope that she will be a welcome guest at future festivals for years to come. There were a few tears when she was given a formal presentation.
La Villette Hotel has been reserved for 7-9th October 2005. The Rouillard
families are already organising for the 14th festival. Do enter a movie
by all means ... but mostly do yourself a huge favour: take a break in Guernsey
and relax with excellent movies and the finest company imaginable. - Dave Watterson Oct 2004 Page updated on 21 March 2008 Authors' views are not necessarily those of The Institute of Amateur Cinematographers Free JavaScripts provided
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Travel to the island of Guernsey is easy with flights
from most parts of the UK. Travel in the island is a little more fraught.
Most of the roads are narrow, often with blind corners. Luckily the maximum
speed allowed is 35mph so driving a rented car is practical. You do need
some nerve on occasion when squeezing between buildings or round parked cars.
The faint of heart should take a taxi.
OK - the still on the left (from Magic Times) shows a
rose not a lily ... but it makes the point that this marvellous festival
is waiting ...