Devon and Cornwall filmmaking duo Ashley Wing and Clayton Fussell picked up the D+CFilm Open award at the Two Short Nights film festival

Ashley Wing and Clayton Fussell, the directing duo from Devon and Cornwall, picked up the D+CFilm Open award at the Two Short Nights film festival at Exeter Phoenix for their short flick Robbing Peter. The films were voted for at the screening and were presented with wonderful awards, designed by Frances Davidson. We caught up with Ashley to ask about the win

This was Robbing Peter’s premiere, how did it feel to pick up a prize on its first outing?

Extremely relieved to tell you the truth! The first screening is always the hardest and it’s a great feeling to know it’s been accepted among the people. And for it to pick up a prize! We’re chuffed to bits! To know there is a physical trophy with this is a nice touch from the festival organisers, we’ll always have something to remember Robbing Peter’s first outing and the festival itself.

How would you describe the film scene in Devon and Cornwall?

Thriving. It’s changed dramatically over the last three years. The South West was always seen as the place for amateur filmmakers, the hobbyist. The festival this year proved this is not the case. There is improvement every year and it’s great that media giants like the BBC get involved. We still feel there is a snobbery going on with South West Screen, it would be really helpful if they looked into supporting ALL South West filmmakers. I’m sure Devon is within the South West border, right? It extends outside of Bristol? If there was more support, the scene would have been at this stage at least five years ago.

Cornwall Film Festival always does very well, they produce some great film pieces and now they’ve opened it out internationally. We try to attend every year and always have something to submit. It’s a great scene to be apart of, these are exciting times and they can only get better.

What’s next for the film and for you as filmmakers?

We’re in the stages of drafting a short dramatic piece called The Cromwell Alert. We’re using it as a calling card for our first feature film based upon the same events. It’s a wonderful story and we’re very excited about it, very different and a fresh approach about life in 1940s Britain. We’re looking to attach at least one name to the short version, which will develop interest and investment for our feature. The short is scheduled to be released in the summer of 2010.