The red carpet rolled out at local cinemas again for the fifth Ealing Film Festival (EFF) last month.

Nearly one hundred short films were screened at four venues across Ealing and Acton.

Ealing Picturehouse was buzzing for the glitzy awards ceremony with filmmakers from across the UK travelling into the borough for the event.

The actress Amanda Redman, star of stage and screen, handed out the trophy for the best narrative drama to The Sea, directed by Ian Bartholomew from Cheshire.

She told the audience: "Ealing is the perfect place for a film festival as we have the iconic movie studios, so therefore an historic relationship with film.

"The BBC long had a home here and our streets are constantly being used as locations for TV and film. Also, many people in the industry reside in Ealing.

"I was deeply impressed by the high standard of all the submissions I watched and just hope the Ealing Film Festival can keep growing."

Rupa Huq, the MP for Ealing Central & Acton, presented the award for the best film of the festival.

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How to Build a Life is a documentary that tells the moving story of one young man's battle with Asperger's Syndrome and the bullies who targeted him because of his condition.

The film was directed by his brother, Matthew Reese, from Leeds.

"Louis' story is important. Not just for me, but for the countless others who have been stamped on, trodden over and cast aside for being themselves," he said.

"In the case of Louis, his Asperger's prevents him from pretending to be anyone else, which is what makes his story unique. Blending in has never been an option for him, and we both hope this story of his triumph in pursuit of happiness will inspire others."

Among more than a dozen other awards handed out, Ealing resident Brian Williams picked up the Sci-Fi trophy for Botching, a futuristic film about robots.

The festival also made special awards to recognise filmmakers who have encouraged diversity and inclusion with their productions.

Films are now online to determine the People's Choice (credit: Ealing Film Festival).

Sarah Leigh of Inclusivity Films said they were honoured to receive one of the awards.

"Ealing Film Festival have recognised our work three years in a row, and we appreciate their commitment to highlighting the work of disabled talent," she said. 

"The festival shows a fantastic array of films and champion those who are underrepresented in the industry. The festival is extremely welcoming and we had a brilliant time discovering new films and networking with fellow filmmakers."

The festival organisers have thanked local people for their encouragement since the event was launched during lockdown.

In addition to the four local venues - Ealing Picturehouse, Ealing Project, ActOne Cinema and Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery - a number of local businesses have supported the festival.

Annemarie Flanagan, one of EFF's Directors said: "When we began, we did not have a single High Street cinema in Ealing.

"So, we started the festival. We wanted to celebrate the borough's place in the history of British cinema while at the same time encouraging a new generation of filmmakers by giving them a platform right here in Ealing.

"They just love the whole festival experience and the opportunity to see their films on the big screen."

Although the festival is now over, one hundred films are available to view, free of charge, on the festival's Vimeo channel.

Online audiences can then vote for the People's Choice, the final award of the festival.

The opportunity to view this year's films online continues until December 27.

To watch the movies from this year's EFF click here.

To vote for your favourite film in the People's Choice award click here.

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