COLCHESTER’S finest film maker over the past 12 months has been crowned at an awards ceremony.

This year’s Film of the Year competition, known as the Boudicca Film Awards, was particularly significant as it marked the 60th anniversary of Colchester Film Makers Club.

Dave Thompson took home the night’s major gong with his short concert film The Cinematic Syncopations Orchestra.

A special ceremony was held at the town’s Firstsite gallery, where the group’s best work throughout the year was showcased.

This year’s Boudicca awards were judged by experts John Worland, Nik Read and Colchester mayor Peter Chillingworth.

Mr Thompson’s winning film was a recording of a live performance of the Cinematic Syncopations Orchestra.

Paul Desmond, of Colchester Film Makers Club, said: “The girlfriend of Dave’s son was the concert’s production manager and he was asked if he would film the orchestra setting up and rehearsing.

“He decided to ask each member of the management team a few open questions and capture their emotional responses on camera.”

The ceremony also gave the group a chance to mark its diamond anniversary.

Mr Desmond said: “In 1959 two keen amateur cinematographers, Don Leech and Eric Smith, called a meeting at the Cross Keys in Long Wyre Street to see if there was sufficient interest to form a cine club. Twenty people attended and Colchester and District Cine Society was born.

“It was agreed that meetings would be held fortnightly at St. Martins in West Stockwell Street - a draughty disused church.

“Those founder members were using 16mm, 9.5mm and standard 8mm film stock. Today members shoot in high definition and 4K and meet in the draught-free Hythe Community Centre on Tuesday evenings.”

Throughout the season the club held five competitions, with the winning film in each being nominated for the final Film of the Year gong. To find out more, visit cfmclub.org.uk.