Local Woman Wins Top Prize at Ealing Film Festival
Jane Ashmore's short 'Love' judged to be best film
Jane Ashmore (left) with festival director Annemarie Flanagan (centre)
December 1, 2022
Ealing-based filmmaker Jane Ashmore made it a home win by picking up the top prize at this year’s Ealing Film Festival.
Her short film ‘Love’ won the category for local filmmakers and went on to be named Best Film of the festival.
“It is a great honour as an Ealing-based filmmaker to win at my local festival,” she said, after picking up the trophies at Ealing Project cinema.
Jane has worked in television drama for several years, and has directed episodes of EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
Love is her first film for the big screen. It is a story of unrequited love told from the perspective of a person with autism. Jules Robertson, the actor who plays the central role, is autistic.
His character Oscar uses the music of The Streets as a coping mechanism as he negotiates social situations in his everyday life. The story begins when he falls for the young woman who makes his morning coffee at a local café.
“The film invites people to consider the world from the viewpoint of an autistic person,” said Jane.
“We wanted to tell the story in a way that reflects how they experience the world. And also enable an autistic performer to tell that story.
“Oscar is a complex character with unique needs, but the same hopes and desires as everyone.”
Jules Robertson was also awarded for his part in the film
The film won rave reviews from the festival’s judges and the packed audience at Ealing Project. In addition to the two awards for the film, there was also an individual award for Jules Robertson for his performance.
The awards ceremony was the highlight of a festival that attracted 318 entries from forty countries around the world.
The organisers were delighted that their third festival included screenings at Ealing Project.
Ealing Film Festival host Andrew Sumner
“After so long without a cinema in Ealing, the Project has brought back the big screen experience to our town centre,” said Annemarie Flanagan, one of the festival directors.
“Our filmmakers told us they loved the venue, and they really enjoyed the opportunity to network with other filmmakers.
“For us, this festival is all about shining a spotlight on the next generation of filmmakers. And where better to do that than in Ealing.”
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