The winners of the sixth Walthamstow International Film Festival have been announced.

Entries for the annual competition, now in its sixth year, came from around the world, as well as across the borough.

Walthamstow couple Liza and Paul Fletcher began the festival after finding there were no film outlets as part of the annual E17 Art Trail.

A judging panel, made up of directors, producers and critics, decided onn the winners at the British Film Institute on Friday (May 29).

The overall winner was Jessica Bishopp with her documentary ‘Speed’ about recovery after a family death. She also scooped the top prize for young film makers.

The second Prize went to Teymour Ghaderi for an emotive portrayal of a Grandmother and child sheltering from the rain titled ‘It hit upon the roof’.

Walthamstow resident Paul Murphy came in third place and won the silent category with his film ‘Wipeout’ about finding love on the Walthamstow Marshes.

Festival director Liza said: “There is so much talent in Walthamstow, it is such a creative place we wanted to start something to encourage film making – to honour the area’s heritage.

“Every year we get entries from all over the world.

“When we have screening days it is lovely to see people turn up and appreciate the work put in by the entrants – some stay all day.”

This year the Empire Cinema in Walthamstow will also screen the films.

The festival includes submissions in categories including documentary, animation, drama and first-time filmmakers.

Other winners included Dee Honeybun, from Walthamstow, who won the ‘Experimental’ category with ‘Probably, Maybe, Not Really, Whatever’ and Stanley Tucker, 14, also from the borough, who won the MMBF Rising Star Award with his film ‘Rain’.

Viviane Peoc'h won the ‘Animation’ award with ‘Grandma’.

Audiences will get a chance to vote for their own favourite as this year The Stow Brothers, Hoe Street based estate agent, will give £500 to the winning film-maker in the 'Audience Vote' category.

The film festival calendar of events will kick off this weekend with a neo-noir workshop at Vestry House Museum on Saturday and a day of screening on Sunday.