A FILMMAKER has scooped the top award at the largest film festival in the UK - beating off Trainspotting star Robert Carlyle's latest offering. Ronnie Goodwin's Shooter has been winning awards in various short film category events around the world since it was released a year ago and has been shown at places such as the Cannes and Edinburgh film festivals.
However, the latest achievement at the Swansea Bay Festival in Wales is an incredible feat as it was voted best of all 250 film entries, including documentaries, full length motion pictures - which included Robert Carlyle's latest flick.
According to the founder of the festival, Shooter - filmed around Loch Lomond - showed Ronnie's "genius" and was the first short film in the festival's history to win Best in Festival award.
Former Clydebank College lecturer Ronnie, 47, from Bowling, admitted he was initially "devastated" as he thought Shooter had been overlooked by judges when it did not scoop the best film in the under five minute category.
It was not until the end of the night, that Ronnie and Shooter lead actor Paul Hunter, realised it had been earmarked for the greatest accolade of the evening.
A delighted Ronnie spoke to the Post shortly after returning from Swansea last week.
He said: "To find out another film was selected in our category was devastating. We looked at each other and shrugged our shoulders and thought we would just try and enjoy the rest of the evening.
"When the last part of the show came along and they invited Linda Robson, of Birds of a Feather fame, to read out the Best in Festival winner we were too busy looking at other people. We weren't waiting on it or expecting it - we thought there was no chance a small film could win, but then she called out our name.
"It is unheard of for a short film to beat so many works of art at a major film festival."
ttle net working. can't wait...
