The storms in Tenby on Sunday, September 29 saw three local people despondent that the Kino Festival they had organised would be a washout. As the wind and rain battered the De Valence and outside lights came crashing down all hope was lost…

Then at 7.01pm, two intrepid souls, heads bowed to the wind, pushed open the doors: “Are we too early”. “I could have hugged them,” said Gary Tapley. Over the next half hour 13 more pushed open the doors and the festival had a total audience of eighteen.

Over the next two hours they were treated to French café music, appetisers and nine European short films.

The films on show, and reactions to them were as follows: L’Aquario - intriguing; Soulmate - suspenseful; Trchox Terevneri Ergy - dreamlike; Cod & Chips – short and sweet; Oyunbozan - different; 2K5 - innocent; La Vrai du Faux - absurd; The Dangerous Business of Cheese Toasties – succinct; Chicken Girl - mad!

The audience then voted, and the 18 gathered upstairs in Tenby’s De Valence that evening came up with some awards like all good festivals do:

Best Film – L’Aquario; Best Actor – Em Humble (Chicken Girl); Best Cinematography – Oyunbozan; Best Soundtrack – Trchox Terevneri Ergy (The Song of Flying Leaves); Most disturbing – Soulmate.

The Tenby event was organised in association with Kinofilm, an international Short Film Festival based in Manchester renowned for showcasing the best short films and debut features from around the world and seeking out diverse, challenging and groundbreaking new films.

For a first-time event as part of Tenby’s Community Festival, the organisers are pleased: “Look out for next year when the weather is on our side, and we have spent a whole year planning. Keep your eyes peeled!”