Romford Film Festival 2025: Reporting from the red carpet

On May 27, I made my way to Lumiere in The Brewery for the ninth Romford Film Festival awards evening. 

Invites for the evening made mention to a black-tie dress code but little more detail was revealed about the event, leaving me with much to imagine on my journey. 

Everyone grouped together for a picture (Image: Newsquest) As I approached Lumiere, a red carpet had been rolled out just before the entrance to the cinema. 

I watched as actors, filmmakers, and directors who had received nominations for awards were lapping it up, snapping pictures. 

The flashes of the cameras were dazzling, heightening the surreal atmosphere of the event. 

Once I had had my obligatory picture taken, I was through the doors and into the cinema’s foyer which had been adorned with fairy lights over head and decorations to mark the awards. 

A picture of the signage throughout Lumiere (Image: SANDRA ROWSE) I grabbed a drink from the bar before getting chatting to some of the nominees about what was to come, and the work they had done to get here. 

Excited chatter filled the air as people from all over the world introduced themselves, united together by a shared passion for the industry. 

We were soon ushered along into Screen 7 – the Silver Screen – which felt fitting given the glitzy affairs of the evening. 

People were filtering through to the theatre room (Image: Newsquest) I sat in one of the front rows off to the left, waiting to be called up to announce the award for best actor.

The theatre audience was soon packed and Romford Film Festival founder Spencer Hawken welcomed everyone warmly, slicing through the tension with a couple of witty jokes. 

Soon enough it was my turn to present an award, and I silently celebrated making it up the stage stairs without tripping over my own feet out of nerves. 

READ MORE: Romford Film Festival awards dished out at red carpet evening

Up at the podium and envelope in hand, it felt like I had stepped straight into something I’d watch on TV, from the Golden Globes or some other prestigious ceremony. 

The awards were projected onto the cinema screen (Image: Newsquest) The rest of the awards ceremony sped by, broken up only by the occasional whoops and cheers from audience members and two rounds of Happy Birthday sung to humiliate selections ommittee member Peter Blunden. 

The night concluded with further celebratory drinks and chatting, with funny stories and inspiring stories from filming.