Folkestone Short Film Festival 2021

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we made the difficult decision to change how this year’s festival takes place. Just like the 2020 festival, instead of a physical event the whole festival was held behind closed doors and remotely.

Seventeen films were screened over the course of the event on Saturday 24th July 2021. All were vying for the coveted Folkestone Short Film Festival Best Film trophy.

There were also six more trophies up for grabs, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Soundtrack and Best Screenplay. These were decided by our judging panel.

Gary JJ Spate
Gary is a Folkestone-based film producer and formerly an award-winning TV producer. Since Hellfire’s inception he has been the Executive Director and hosts all of its events.

Steve Davis
Steve is a Kent-based film director. His first feature film ‘Christmas Slay’ was the third most watched film on Amazon Prime USA in December 2015 and most watched Christmas film. He is currently working on a World War Two feature film called No Glory.

Kate Griffiths
With over 15 years’ experience in the film industry working as a freelance makeup artist Kate has worked for huge production companies such as 20th Century Fox (Logan Wolverine) through to small indie film makers making both low and high budget films. Kate specializes in horror and special effects as well as stage, theatre and TV makeup. Her gallery and up to date blog can be viewed on theatricalmakeupartist.com.

Frank Jakeman
Frank is a highly experienced and award-winning actor and stand-up comedian having appeared in several movies over the years including ‘A View To A Kill’, ‘Rise of the Krays’, ‘Dead Wish 3’, ‘Shed of the Dead’ and the starring role in ‘Christmas Slay’. He has also appeared in several TV commercials including the Ted Baker ads. He also appeared in Eastenders as a stripper and kissed Dot Cotton!

Ben Barton
Ben is a Folkestone-based filmmaker whose recent film ‘Stella Erratica’ hit the national tabloid headlines when it was revealed the late great David Bowie funded it. An avid maker of Super8 films Ben brings his aesthetic eye to the judging panel.