Cofilmic comedy film festival announces first award winners
The first annual Cofilmic comedy film festival awards have been announced at the end of the festival, held in Manchester.
Cofilmic was founded earlier this year by producer Janet Harrison after being shocked to discover that the UK lacked a dedicated comedy TV and film festival. The festival, held at Manchester's Comedy Store, aimed to offer budding comedy writers, actors, producers, directors and everything in between a foot in to the industry, with practical advice, networking opportunities and the chance to submit work to the award panel.
The panel - which included comedy producer Charlie Hanson (Not Going Out, Extras, The Armstrong & Miller Show) and Steve North, commissioner at Dave - awarded prizes in the following categories:
Best Comedy Sketch - Publishing A Piece by Anton Short
Best Sitcom Pilot - BOXED by Paul Murphy
Best New Comedy Performance - Sarah Hoare in We Are What We Drink
Best Short Comedy Film - We Are What We Drink by Marc Hardman
Audience Vote Awards - Buzz Dish by Dave Spikey, Dwain Chambers Life Guru and The Office Orphan by David Lilley & Bronte Sisters by Jacqueline Wright
A separate Sketch Writing Competition award, judged by a further panel and audience vote, was given to Christian Azzola and Bex Harvey for a script entitled 'Believe'.
The winning films were selected from over 100 entries, and will benefit from meetings with commissioners, producers and performers, plus networking opportunities. A 'Best of the Fest' tour will also showcase the titles at events across the country.
Cofilmic founder Janet Harrison said: "The standard of the films entered was absolutely fantastic so our judges had a tough job picking the winners, and congratulations to all of those that did win as well as those that finished runner-up. The event on the whole was a massive success and we've got a brilliant platform to build on for next year and beyond."