CUP CAKE SCOOPS TOP AWARD IN AMERICA

BALLYMONEY now enjoys a place on the international stage in film making after a movie shot in the Borough has taken a top award at a prestigious film festival in America, the Times can exclusively reveal.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Aug 2010, 15:47 BST

Cup Cake, a romantic comedy, saw off stiff competition at the Rhode Island Festival, to take the Best Feature film category.

The festival, which ran from August 10 to 15, showcased more than 200 cinematic works including 35 World and 23 US/North American Premieres.

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The films were selected from a record entry base of more than 4200 international submissions.

The success has delightedDirector, Colin McIvor, and the directors of 'Wee Buns' Production company one of whom is local man, John Leslie.

With a host of local people involved, the film's success is a huge shot in the arm for 'Wee Buns' who are actively planning to use Ballymoney for more productions.

The Mayor, Councillor Bill Kennedy, said it was a tremendous honour for the Borough and not only reflected well on the film-makers but on the large number of 'Xtras' who clearly played an important role.

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"John Leslie has given the Borough the potential to accommodate more productions, but this could very well boost our tourist trade," Councillor Kennedy said.

Mr. Leslie admitted they were 'gobsmacked' by the success.

"We simply couldn't believe it when the news emerged. This will open many doors for us in America and, of course, Ballymoney will always be to the forefront," Mr. Leslie said.

There could be more accolades. Cup Cakes is shortlisted for the Chicago film festival as well as Los Angeles.

It has also been selected for the Naples, Florida and Strasbourg film festivals.

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"We were actually asked to enter the Chicago festival. We thought entries had closed, but we then got a call asking us to participate which seems a good sign," Mr. Leslie told the Times.

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF), has secured its place in the global community as the portal for the best in international independent cinema, earning the respect of domestic and foreign filmmakers, filmgoers and trend watchers.

Ranked as one of the top 12 Festivals in the United States, RIIFF is also a qualifying festival for the Short Film Academy Award through its affiliation with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

There are 65 film festivals worldwide which share this distinction and RIIFF is the only festival in New England.

Related topics:Bill Kennedy