THE winners of the second Thurrock Film Festival have been announced following a hugely successful week.

The festival received 250 short films to consider from 35 countries, with the best selected for screening. A celebrity judging panel included Frances Fisher, Alfred Molina, Iain Glen and Brian Blessed.

The festival, which ran between Monday, September 23, and Saturday, September 28, concluded with a glamorous awards ceremony.

Jonathan Harrold, who is about to start an MA, won Best Student Film with Oh Messy Life and James Kavanagh won Best Music Video/Experimental Film for the second year in a row for Tour Of The Glass Factory.

Jonny’s 15-minute film is about his fear of commitment as he and his girlfriend work out their relationship against a background of contemporary party and drug culture.

The 21-year-old was born in Orsett and lived in Grays, attending Grays School and Palmer’s College, where he studied film, media and graphics. He said: “I was really pleased to win – it’s my first Film Festival award and especially because I’m from Thurrock.”

Organisers have already said they will be back for a third year.

WINNERS: Best Student – Oh Messy Life by Jonathan Harrold. Best Under 18 – Cycles by Jason Bartlett. Best Documentary – She Want Soul by Sameer Patel. Best International – División Azul by Sergi Marti. Best Animated – Jamon by Iria Lopez. Best Music Video/Experimental – Tour Of The Glass Factory by James Kavanagh. Best Fiction – Night In A Hotel by Daniel Kontur. Best Editing – Joe McGowan for Frank. Best Direction – Daniel Kontur for Night In A Hotel. Audience Choice – Kerry And Angie by Amanda Melby. Best In Festival – The Loudest Minds by John Grey.