Once a mainstay on the festival scene, the Delta Film Awards are returning this year at their natural home, the Festival of Fantastic Films.
The Delta Group was a band of enthusiastic amateur filmmakers who got together in the ‘60s and had fun making shorts. This later developed into regular meetings of like-minded fans and the launch of the Festival of Fantastic Films in 1990. That festival returns this year, and the Delta Film Awards are back. Short films are being invited to enter (uniquely, for free!) and there will be three award categories: science fiction, horror, and fantasy. The overall winner will be presented with the inaugural Norman J. Warren trophy.
Named after the late director who was a regular at the festival and much-loved by all who attends, the award will honour his memory and celebrate the art he loved.
From the Festival committee:
“‘New wave’ British horror director Norman J. Warren was a fan of the festival and attended most years, as both official guest and regular punter. A friend and an inspiration – truly “the nicest man in the business” – he always had time to talk to people, encourage fledgling filmmakers, chat with fans and discuss his films. Norman died in 2021.
He is very much missed but his memory lives on. Our best-in-festival short film award has been named in Norman’s honour.
The DELTA Awards incorporating the NORMAN J WARREN trophy: we hope to attract submissions from genre filmmakers around the world. Entry is free, and we are looking for short films in three categories: Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy.
The festival judging panel will award a Delta to the best Science Fiction short film, the best Horror short film, and the best Fantasy short film. The best film overall will receive the Norman J Warren Trophy.
We are pleased to confirm that the Chair of Judges for 2022 is cult screenwriter, critic and ‘Truffaut of smut’ David McGillivray, a lifelong friend of Norman’s. They met in 1967 when Norman was editing his first feature, Her Private Hell. Subsequently, David wrote two screenplays for Norman, Satan’s Slave (1976), and Terror (1978). Part of Susu (2018), Norman’s final film which he produced, was shot in McG’s house in London’s King’s Cross.”
David McGillivray – himself a wonderful raconteur and jolly nice chap (although he’ll deny it) will be in attendance at the event, which takes place at the Pendulum Hotel, Manchester on October 28th – 30th, 2022. Also confirmed as attending is League of Gentleman/Ghost Stories writer Jeremy Dyson. Tickets are available from Eventbrite and you can find updates on further guest announcements at https://fantastic-films.uk.
Filmmakers can submit their shorts to the competition via FilmFreeway.
The 2019 festival line-up with the organisers:
Pauline Peart, Norman J. Warren, Janina Faye, festival co-founder Tony Edwards, Julian Richards, Dez Skinn, Giannetto De Rossi, Sergio Stivaletti, Dana Gillespie, and Gil Lane-Young
Last year’s festival was a subdued affair since the man fundamental in keeping the event going for so long, Gil Lane-Young passed away only weeks before it was due to take place. Thanks to the hard work and passion of those involved, it did take place and featured fan favourite Frazer Hines and the legendary Britt Ekland as guests. Previous guests have included Ray Harryhausen, John Landis, Roger Corman, Ingrid Pitt, Jean Rollin, Paul Naschy, Ruggero Deodato, Umberto Lenzi, Crispin Glover, plus many more. It’s unique, relaxed family atmosphere makes it a joy to attend. We’ll see you there!
