With entries from across Europe and the USA, and a best wishes message from a Hollywood star, Bexley’s film festival is starting to make its name. LINDA PIPER reports.

IN films as in everything, it is not what you know, but who you know that counts.

And Welling’s Ben Trebilcook, who successfully broke into Hollywood scriptwriting, brought his contacts to bear at this year’s Rob Knox Film Festival.

The awards expanded from five, to 10, some of which were provided by film studio Warner Brothers, which also sent best wishes for the festival.

Mr Trebilcook also brought a message from one of Holywood’s biggest stars, Tom Cruise, to the festival’s awards night at Cineworld in Bexleyheath.

Cruise told the audience: “I wish you and everyone involved great success. It is a very worthy cause.”

Mr Trebilcook promised: “Next year, I will bring the message on film.”

He spoke about his own efforts to break into the film world and told the assembled film makers: “Reject rejection. You can do anything.”

This year’s festival for short films grew yet again and attracted entries from eight European countries and one from the USA.

It was also expanded to cover nine days, with screenings of festival entries at venues across the borough.

And there was a series of master classes on sound, lighting, breaking into the UK film industry, mime and what actors need from directors.

Former EastEnders actor Pete Dean also did a question and answer session and there were drama workshops for teenagers.

The festival was renamed after murdered Harry Potter actor Rob Knox last year, and Rob’s parents Sally and Colin Knox and his younger brother Jamie were at the awards evening.

Mrs and Mrs Knox are on the festival’s organising committee.

Mrs Knox told the awards night audience: “So many other people are involved in this festival and there is so much work behind the scenes.

“I have been really pleased to work with them.

“Watching the films has been fantastic.”

She added: “Rob would have been so proud of something like this in his name.”

Her husband spoke about the number of international entries.

Several of the foreign film makers had said they entered the festival because of its associations with Rob and the anti-violence message.

Mr Knox said: “I am humbled that people so far away want to do something and bring something to Bexley.

“This festival seems to have inspired them and if Rob’s name does good, I thank you for that.”

Bexley councillor and cabinet member for community affairs, Katie Perrior said: “Out of something so bad, has come something so good.

“This festival will be an asset for Bexley.”

She praised all the volunteers who had helped make it happen and the sponsors who gave their time or venues for free.

She said: “More than 500 people have taken part in the festival over nine days.

“We do not have a big budget and our only cost as been the pre-event publicity and trophies.”

Entertainment at the awards night was provided by local musician Liam Cotterall and Aspire, a group of young performers, including Jamie Knox, who all knew Rob and raise cash for his memorial fund.

Actor Graham Cole, a former star of the television series The Bill and a patron of the Bexley young people’s film club Pointless Taxi Productions, presented several of the awards.

Mr Cole, who was one of the festival judges, said: “We saw some fantastic work. I am thrilled to be here.”

The first award of the night was for Best Actor and it went to Robert Bertrant for his portrayal of a Zimbabwe torture victim and lavatory attendant, locked for the night in his nighclub toilet with a white racist, in Little Prince.

Considered by many to be the most impressive film of the night, it was written and directed by Sidcup man David Anderson.

Mr Bertrant said he was “overwhelmed” by the award.

Former EastEnders actress Pooja Shah, who also featured in Bend It Like Beckham, won the Best Actress award for her role as Rajinda in No Honour, No Choice.

She played a lesbian Indian girl about to tell her parents she is gay, when they tell her of her arranged marriage to a man who is on his way to meet her.

She thanked director Gary Moore for offering her the part and said: “There was a choice, and it was an honour.”

Trinity School, Belvedere, under guidance from Chocolate Films, won Best Documentary for Erith Back to the Future exploring the history and future of community in the town.

The students who accepted the award thanked their school and Chocolate films, saying “Wow. This is a surprise. It is fantastic.”

Best Director went to Stephen Fingleton for The Driver about a man whose loyalties are tested when asked to drive his best friend’s estranged wife to her new home.

He said: “The films shown tonight have been really excellent.

“I live in Brixton where there are problems with youth and knife crime and I am very proud to be part of this event.”

The award for best screenplay went to Pauline Mulombe attending from Belgium, with her film in French and with sub-titles.

Everyone Has a Reason to be Angry With Their Mother, was about three daughters all angry with their more traditional African mother.

The Best Animation award went to St Catherine’s Catholic School for Girls, Bexleyheath, who used paper drawings to explore What Makes You Happy?

Rajan Vedash, a 17-year-old from Bexleyheath won the Best Editing award for his film Those That Chase, Those That Run, a three-minute film exploring people’s perceptions.

He thanked everyone including “my dad who gave me his laptop to use and kept asking for it back.”

Best Cinematography was won by Greek film maker Maria Svoronou for her film The Weakness Within about a man prevented from escaping his prison by his own self-doubt.

Accepting the award, she said: “It is a great honour. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be here.”

An American entry, Children of Providence won Best feature award.

Film maker Gary Shore flew over from the USA with his family for the awards night.

He said: “Thanks to the Knox family who have inspired me with their bravery and generosity in supporting this festival.

“The sense of community in this room and the team spirit here is quite extraordinary.”

The final award of the evening was presented by Mr Knox and went to producer Nick Wheatley for Stranger in a Strange Land a film about a young south east Asian girl stranded in airport immigration as part of a shadowy conspiracy.

He said: “This has been a brilliant event and we are honoured to be involved with it.”

There was much praise throughout the evening for former policeman Mick Wearing, who now works for Bexley Council and who launched the festival in 2008.

He was described as “the core” of the event.

During the evening there was also a screening of Cold Kiss, a short film starring Ray Winstone and featuring Jamie Knox with the consequences of knife crime as its theme.

There will be another chance to see some of festival films at this year's Danson Festival on July 3 and 4.

Clips from some of the entries will also be shown on News Shopper's website