This was the MFA LOCKDOWN!
The Morzine Film Awards is the highlight of the Morzine winter season, a film making festival that unites the town in their shared love of the shred and the sesh as nine hundred people cram into the Palais Du Sport to enjoy the efforts of the teams who have spent the previous week working away on their film.
However, things did not go according to plan this year. As the lift closure went from a possibility to a certainty, teams had their filming time abruptly shortened. Out of twenty teams who had initially signed up to make a film, an incredible ten teams managed to put together some amazing films, whether using the footage they had managed to get in the all too brief filming window or using their time during the lockdown to let their imaginations run wild and keep cabin fever at bay.
The premiere night at the Palais Du Sport, the culmination of all the hard work, could also clearly not take place this year. The venue had been officially closed the previous week, even before the initial restrictions on public gatherings had been put in place. Plans were already underway at the time for alternatives, and as the restrictions came into play there was only one thing for it - stay at home and get drunk. And Morzine absolutely rose to the occasion on the night of the 24th, with hundreds of Morzine locals and seasonaires, past and present, gathering round their computers with outrageous amounts of alcohol close to hand to enjoy the films.
At a time when there is a great deal of uncertainty and people are feeling particularly alone and worried for the future this was a unique opportunity to bring the community together, celebrate the town, get drunk together and for everyone to remember the good times winter brings while reminding themselves that the good times will come again.
The films did not disappoint either, with Simone Simpson’s Last Of The Morzinians taking the win for Best Film, narrowly beating Bored by the PMT Crew. Rounding out the top three was Scott Ireton’s Cooked Unitz. Tom Powell took home the prize for Worst Acting for his role in Bored. Kuba Wargola’s Morzine Vice featured the winners of the Best Skier and Best Snowboarder (Female) prizes, which went to Edward Hallet and Elysia Brooks. Meanwhile, Jazz Berley won Best Snowboarder (Male) for his role in Frozone and Stewart Monk produced the Best Season Edit. The commitment, dedication, determination and vision of all film makers when faced with such incredibly difficult conditions is truly awe inspiring and all teams should be incredibly proud of what they achieved. Likewise, the way that everyone came together whilst staying isolated highlighted the amazing community in Morzine. These uncertain times can make or break a community, and the MFA Lockdown proved that Morzine will emerge unbroken from the current crisis.
If the entire town can party like this in lockdown just wait to see what the party is like next year when everyone is together once again. The MFA will return next year bigger, bolder, louder and looser than ever before…
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