Audlem Canal Film wins International Award

Congratulations to John Owen, member and organist at Audlem Methodist Church, who won the River Award for his film which focused on the canal at Audlem, at the Danube – River of Europe International (non-commercial) Film Festival which he attended at the end of June in Rousse, Bulgaria.

John's skills at film-making have been much appreciated in recent Productions held at the Methodist Church. We may not rise to a river such as the Danube in Audlem but it's good to know that Audlem's canal now has an international place. Well done, John.

The idea for the film originated from video shots created for the Thomas Telford displays at Audlem Mill and Overwater Marina in which Peter Marshall of the Day Star Theatre provided the narrative – see bottom right photo taken during filming.

John then went on produce a film which built on this base to create a film about Audlem village and bellringers and in particular its canal.

Following a national award it was submitted to the 'Danube – River of Europe International Film Festival' at the end of June.

The Festival which was held in Rousse, Bulgaria had 77 entries from 18 countries and was inaugurated 10 years ago with a bi-annual programme and has grown in reputation.

John attended a three day event, at the conclusion of which he was presented with a Diploma and plaque as winner of this event by Vladimir Iliev, the Festival organiser.

Since the programme was in Cyrillic, interpreters were provided by local college's language students and two other contestants from America and Estonia.

The photos show John's presentation, the welcome by the mayor of Rousse, Plamen Stoilov, Cheerleaders, and the Theatre building which was the venue for the films.

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