Big Dave Watterson is bowled over… by a lily.

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Here’s a practical tip: If Norman and Dorothy Speirs regularly attend an event it’s well worth a look. They know where fine movies, good company and great scenery are to be found. Of the twelve Guernsey Lily International Film & Video Festivals they have only missed one – through illness. ‘Nuff said!

Organisers: Peter Rouillard opens the festival;
Joan Ozanne with the trophies;
Peter and Richard Rouillard.

But you can’t hop into the car and go. It means a boat or plane crossing. Is it really worth it?

The Rouillard brothers, Peter and Richard, who founded the festival with their friend Joan Ozanne have naturally enthused over the years. Afifa, Richard’s wife, has promoted the event whenever she visits the IAC Movie Festivals. Brian Hazelden boosted it on this website (see his report on Guernsey Lily 2000). Dougie Boswell (‘Nardo’ and ‘My First Shakespeare’) raved about it. Val Ellis quietly encouraged us.

So this year we went.

People at the Festival:
Nick Kirk and Alison Dewar;
Vit Ondracek and Czech Delegates;
Michael Slowe

It was easy. There are flights from most UK airports to Guernsey. The best prices are probably from Gatwick but the pleasure of a small, local airport was worth a little extra. Being met on arrival is not part of the festival service … but often happens. The festival hotel is always good value but the island has a huge range of accommodation if you want to try somewhere else. Most visitors take a few days before and after the weekend to enjoy Guernsey. There is lots to see and do and amazing changes in the style of coastline to visit and photograph.

The festival coincided with Tennerfest – when most hotels and restaurants offer a superb meal for ten pounds. Yum! We arrived on Friday evening and were whisked off with a bunch of other enthusiasts to eat in ‘Le Chalet’ – where we found Nick Kirk and Alison Dewar (‘Verge’ and ‘Blueprint’) staying. Extra seats were immediately found at our table to include them. It’s a very inclusive festival, you never feel like a lonely newcomer.

Movies at the Festival #1: Blueprint

Dorothy Speirs describes the festival as “couthy” – a Scottish term of endearment suggesting an intimate, friendly, practical occasion with few frill and formalities. So it is. On Saturday afternoon Peter Rouillard welcomes us and the movies begin. BUT there is a technical hitch. That can happen to anyone, anywhere. What impresses me is the response. Three people rush off to different parts of the island and return in minutes with tapes, leads and camcorders. A little macramé work with the cables and we are back on screen.

Movies at the Festival #2: La Ballade de Jack

The movies are a mix of the familiar and the unknown. Some of the top films on the festival circuit are present but Guernsey also attracts unusual material. The deeply moving French entry ‘La Ballade de Jack’ by Jacques Dattiches was impressive. Klaus Werner Voss’s bright and cheerful animation “Save the Jungle” was funny and had a message.

Movies at the Festival #3: Save the Jungle

Read the 2nd part of the report...

Page updated on 21 March 2008

Authors' views are not necessarily those of The Institute of Amateur Cinematographers

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