Draft:Birmingham Film Festival
The Birmingham Film Festival is a ten-day international film event that showcases professional and independent films from various countries. The festival presents films across a range of genres, styles, and budgets, and all screenings are held in a 350-seat auditorium at Millennium Point, Birmingham. Since 2018, film screenings have been free to the public.[1]
History
[edit]The Birmingham Film Festival was founded in 2015, with the inaugural event taking place in November 2016 at an independent venue in Birmingham. Founders include Kevin McDonagh, a writer, director, and producer, and Dean Williams, a martial arts trainer and stunt performer.[2] In its first year, Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, became the festival's first patron.[3]
Due to the growing audience, the festival relocated in 2018 to Millennium Point, a larger venue.[4]
Events and Activities
[edit]In addition to film screenings, the festival includes seminars and workshops.[5] The festival features over 30 award categories, such as young filmmakers, local filmmakers, and international filmmakers. Award winners are honored at the Gala Awards Dinner.[6]
Notable Members and Participants
[edit]In 2019, Trevor Beattie, a producer and advertising professional, joined the festival's committee after showcasing two of his films during that year's event.[7]
Notable jury members have included Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran, who received the Best Original Soundtrack award at the 2018 festival, Kia Pegg of The Dumping Ground, director Garcia Martin, and BAFTA recipients Anthony Waldron, Joanna Quinn, Loretta Preece, and Michael B. Clifford.[8]
Recent Highlights
[edit]In 2023, the short film One Note Man won awards for Best Original Score and Best Sound Design. The film was subsequently shortlisted for a BAFTA and qualified for the 2024 Oscars.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Over 100 films screened free". Birmingham Mail. [1]
- ^ "Birmingham Film Festival president highlights". Birmingham Mail. [2]
- ^ "Movie lovers to celebrate Birmingham Film Festival". Greater Birmingham Chambers. [3]
- ^ "Films being shown free during Birmingham Film Festival". Birmingham Mail. [4]
- ^ "Lights, Camera, Action - 131 films to be screened free of charge in 10-day Birmingham Film Festival". Grapevine Birmingham. [5]
- ^ "Lights, Camera, Action for Birmingham Film Festival". The Birmingham Press. [6]
- ^ "South Asian soldiers film gets screening at Birmingham Film Festival Remembrance Week". I Am Birmingham. [7]
- ^ "Student filmmakers in paradise after festival award win". Newbury Today. [8]
- ^ "Movie fans invited to celebrate cinema as part of Birmingham Film Festival". Express and Star. [9]