Lights, camera, ACTION! It’s the 3rd Southend Film Festival!
Published Friday 15th April 11 in Council - news and information releases news
A fantastic array of films will be aired at different venues across Southend when the town celebrates its third annual film festival later this month.
The main festival, which is organised by The White Bus on behalf of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, runs from Thursday 28th April to Monday 2nd May.
This year the focus of the festival will be very much on the British independent scene, with nine new British films and documentaries being screened.
The main festival opens on Thursday 28th April with a Gala celebration to mark the 30th anniversary of the classic British gangster thriller The Long Good Friday, starring Bob Hoskins.
Members of the cast, crew and celebrities will be attending the Gala, which will be held at the Odeon Cinema on Victoria Circus at the top of Southend High Street. Tickets cost £13.
Legendary movie hardman Ray Winstone will open the evening by addressing filmgoers in his capacity as the festival's newly appointed Patron.
The main festival closes, over 50 films and events later, on Monday 2nd May with an exclusive Gala preview of Being Sold.
The comedy drama is centred on John Foster, a man forced to sell himself on eBay to regain his self-respect http://www.beingsoldthemovie.com/
In between festival goers can enjoy the very best in cutting edge British independent cinema, World cinema, documentaries, classics, children's films and much more.
Shorts and International films will be featured alongside classics not often seen on the big screen.
Other featured films include The Ballad of Mott The Hoople, Soulboy and Quadrophenia. Guest Q&A sessions will be a feature of many of the screenings.
The main festival starts with the black tie gala at the Odeon and will be based at the Palace Theatre for the next three days and the Park Inn Palace Hotel for the last day.
The Festival Fringe runs from Tuesday 26th April to Wednesday 4th May at venues around the town. For the full festival programme visit http://www.southendfilmfestival.com/
Most tickets are priced at a very modest £3 and some events are free, so you're bound to find something to enjoy.
Festival Director Paul Cotgrove, of The White Bus, said: "The Southend Film Festival is growing up fast and has already become the largest film festival in Essex.
"We hope that as the festival continues to grow we will become an increasingly important showcase for British independent movies.
"We want Southend to provide a platform for young British film-makers to show their work to an appreciative and enthusiastic audience.
"This year's festival is jam packed with great features and there's something for everyone in the programme."