NOLO Film Festival winners revealed

Winners have been announced for the first North London Comedy Shorts Film Festival (NOLO).

Established by comedian and film-maker Joe Bor, the inaugural year saw films compete across thirteen categories: best short, best 5 min, best 3 min, best 1 min, best short animation, best short documentary, best actor, best actress, best director, best editing, best UK, best worldwide and best student short.

Entries were accepted between August and November 2020, with winners announced on Sunday (31st January 2021). A screening event had been scheduled to take place but was cancelled amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

The winners are as follows.

​Best Short - She Monster

Read about the making of She Monster

Best UK - Gone Viral

Best 1 Min - Fever

Best 3 Min - Anna And Luter

Best 5 Min - An Important Message

Best Actress - Ruth Bratt in A Very Serious Game

Ruth says: "I'd just come on Twitter to find out how many more men wanted to tell me exactly what the dictionary definition of "staycation" is, and to my surprise instead I found a lovely award. I'm completely gobsmacked. I share it 100% with the incomparable Lucy Trodd - I'm only good in it cos she is - you're only ever as good as your scene (and writing) partner. And Lucy is magnificent. Thanks so much. I'm genuinely shocked and delighted! And here's to being able to get close enough to film things again soon without having to make yourself sneeze with a swab up your nose."

Best Actor - Paul Longley in At Home With @TheTimTwenty

Paul says: "I won't pretend to be anything but absolutely chuffed about this. To win 'Best Actor' as an actor acting as an actor acting as a YouTuber is every actor's dream. Huge thanks to the North London Comedy Shorts judging panel for, well, enjoying it. I will celebrate by going on a daily walk."

​Best Editing - Mind Tricks

Best Director - Roommates

Best Student - Sugarbabies

Best Documentary - History Of Hands

Best Worldwide - Junk

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Festival director Joe Bor explains: "The North London Comedy Shorts Festival aims to celebrate the best established and emerging talent of short comedy film in London and beyond. London is known for its excellent comedy and stand up scene and we are looking to help bring some of the comedy films associated with this further into the limelight and champion some of the great work out there at the moment."

He adds: "Even though we couldn't have the festival in person this year, we received a lot of funny films and choosing winners proved to be pretty tough, especially from films in the UK. I'm now just hoping the festival will build to a bigger event where people can watch and celebrate together."

Judges for the festival's first year were comedian Dane Baptiste, British Comedy Guide editor Aaron Brown, TV producer Gina Lyons, and comedian Andi Osho.