Last year at the Minghella Film Festival

I had to keep reminding myself over this weekend that it wasn't all just some surreal dream, a bunch of 16 year olds from the Isle of Wight running around with people like Jude Law and Alan Rickman. It honestly was an amazing weekend.

From manically throwing ice creams into a freezer after bumping into Alan Rickman on the Friday night, running to and from the theatre on the Saturday morning with varying 'missions', to sitting on a press conference panel with Jude Law that same day, to standing about selling programmes in a posh dress on the gala evening, and relaxing on the Sunday to watch Anthony's 'Mr Wonderful' this weekend was unforgettable.

I enjoyed this experience so much, I was made to feel that my input was important to this event and I felt like I was given responsibility which is something that's rare for young people like ourselves during an event like this. Every time I look at the photos I am reminded of the buzz I couldn't shake off all weekend, and we would all be so incredibly pleased if we could participate in the event, whatever form it might take next year. Thanks go to Carrie, Gioia, and the rest of the Minghella family who allowed us this amazing opportunity, and I'd like to think that each of us played a small part in this weekend being something special for them.

I'm pretty sure that the whole of the Medina YC team would agree with me that this was an irreplaceable experience that we all are so proud of.

Ellie Boyce

Pre-Event

4th March 2009
Isle of Wight County Press More stars join Minghella marathon

BFI Anthony Minghella was the wonderful and much loved chair of the BFI for six years. To mark the first anniversary of his death, on the weekend of 13-15 March the Minghella Movie Marathon will held on the Isle of Wight - the place where Anthony grew up.

12th March 2009
The Guardian Anthony Minghella's family celebrates his memory with film festival

The First Post Isle of Wight to host Minghella film festival

Post/During Event

14th March 2009
The Metro Trumpeting legend Guy Barker and actress Nikki Amuka-Bird also marked the anniversary of his death by sharing memories of him during a press conference at Medina High School on the Isle of Wight.

The Metro Actor Jude Law and jazz trumpeter and composer Guy Barker are to introduce a screening of The Talented Mr Ripley as part of a weekend-long memorial event for Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella who died last year.

The Mirror In a statement on behalf of the Minghella family, the director's brother Dominic and sister Gioia said: "Anthony was passionate about everything he loved, including film-making and the Isle of Wight. It seems entirely fitting to celebrate his memory with a movie marathon on the island and we look forward to welcoming his many film friends to Newport this weekend."

Isle of Wight County Press SUPERSTARS of the stage and screen mingled with Isle of Wight residents yesterday (Friday) at the launch of a marathon three-day film festival honouring the work of celebrated film director Anthony Minghella.

16th March 2009
China Post "I always came out of a film having learnt something," Law said of Minghella's films, the most celebrated of which was "The English Patient", which won nine Oscars.

17th March 2009
Writer's Guild

25th March 2009
BBC Film producer Lord David Puttnam said Anthony was "a very special man" and the festival was a chance to remember him: "I've huge affection for him, his family and his work. Of course the nice thing about being a filmmaker is that you've something to leave behind."