Cécile Ragot from France defeated more than 550 budding movie makers to take the Nikon European Film Festival crown with her film entitled Not A Pizza Order.

Entrants were asked to create a film of up to 140 seconds on the theme ‘Everyday Moments’. The contest, in its second year, is run in association with the Raindance Film Festival.

Oscar-winning film director Asif Kapadia, who chaired the judging panel, said of Cécile’s entry: ‘I felt that Not A Pizza Order was an incredibly powerful short film.

‘You think it’s a comedy film, but actually it’s a really serious piece of work about something very important.’

‘I’m always looking for films that stay with me, whether it’s an image or moment, or something that when I walk away I remember that film.’

Cécile said the award will serve as ‘wonderful encouragement’ for her to continue making movies. As part of her prize, Cécile will be treated to an all-expenses-paid, one-week networking trip to the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Raindance founder Elliot Grove applauded the high standard of entries and Nikon’s role in encouraging aspiring filmmakers across Europe.

Meanwhile, winner of the Best Narrative was Martin Taube from Sweden; the Technical Excellence award went to Pierre le Gall from France; and Tormi Torop from Estonia won the Best Student Entry category. Their prizes included Nikon D750 DSLRs.

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