This page tells you about forthcoming local film festivals and associated events across the East of England and where relevant, how to enter.
If you have an event you would like to promote please send promotional materials to
The First Annual Thurrock International Film Festival 28th -30th June 2012In June 2012 Thurrock will be host to an event which will be the first of its kind in the borough. The first annual Thurrock International Film Festival, to be held at the Thameside Theatre in Grays, will feature films from all over the borough, the country as well as the rest of the world.
The organisers, Natalie Williams and Benjamin Scarsbrook, recently graduated from University with honours degrees in Film Studies and have returned to Grays looking to work in the film industry. As well as working as freelance editors and filmmakers they have decided to bring the filmmaking talent of the local area to the forefront.
There will be plenty of categories to enter including Fiction, Documentary, Animation, Music Video, Experimental, Student, Foreign Language, International and Under 16, there will also be an award ceremony where the best in each category will receive a prize. there will be additional awards for Best Direction, Best Editing, Best Performance, Best in Festival and Audience Choice Award.
As well as the screening of the entered films there will be workshops on different aspects of filmmaking including a talk from historian Jonathon Catton on the history of filmmaking in Thurrock and acclaimed Film critic Barry Norman will be hosting an evening of anecdotes. Throughout the week there will be feature film screenings, the Park Inn Hotel will he hosting an outdoor screening of a family film (Title TBC), there are also plans for the UK premiere of a foreign film to be screened as part of the festival.
Renowned stunt and movement choreographer Terry Notary (Avatar, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes) and actor Jason Flemyng (Primeval, Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, Clash Of The Titans) will be judging entries and local lad and actor Phil Davis (Alien 3, Vera Drake, Doctor Who) and director Jim Loach (Son of Ken and director of Oranges And Sunshine) have pledged their support and involvement.
Thurrock has a rich legacy of filmmaking and this festival aims to continue that history and encourage a new generation of filmmakers. The borough has welcomed many directors to make their films here including Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins), Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) and Robert Zemmeckis (Who Framed Roger Rabbit?). As well as producing world class talent like Mick Jackson, director of Volcano, The BodyGuard and L.A. Story, and Russell Brand, star of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek.
They festival will be running the from 28th -30th June so if you have a film you have made or have an idea for one, entries can be sent in from 1st January until 1st May 2012 so get scripting, casting and shooting.
You can follow Thurrock International Film Festival on Facebook and Twitter or visit the website at
www.thurrockinternationalfilmfestival.co.uk
Stortford Film Festival, Bishop's StortfordFollowing the success of 2010's festival, the 2nd Stortford Film Festival in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire is planned for May 2011 and is set to be even bigger, better and more exciting than the first.
There will be a wide range of films, features and shorts from all over the world and in a host of different styles and genres, giving our expert panel a difficult job to do!
These films, which would otherwise not get the chance to be seen in Hertfordshire, will be screened around the town.
As well as offering a great programme of films, the 2nd Stortford Film Festival is planning a range of educational events as well as the 2nd Stortford Film Festival Awards, celebrating the successful writers and directors.
Want to enter? Submissions close on 31st March 2011. The panel are looking for all sorts of films - any genre, any length, any language, any style and by filmmakers of any age so we can put together the best possible festival programme. Submission is free!
The 2011 Stortford Film Festival is set to be an exciting cultural event for the county.
Click here for more information.