Mike Newell (dir: Harry Potter, Four Weddings, Donnie Brasco) continues as our Patron.
Mike is enthused from last year and has pledged to work with our Youth groups including our Cambridge Road Estate project to ensure we include opportunities to those from all socio- economic backgrounds. So, what do we have in mind for this year?
Once again, we will be working closely with the council and businesses in Kingston to stage another exciting three day weekend- garnering local backing, and inviting entries across all categories to create an ambitious and bold programme alongside talks and workshops.
We have the same awards categories as last year with some big prizes, more Industry based workshops, exciting networking sessions and the inevitable screenings across Kingston. And we plan to take full advantage of the summer evenings, rolling out an open-air screening this year, with entertainment and refreshments in Canbury Gardens.
In addition, we will be hosting a series of pre-festival events including a screening in partnership with the Park Brewery so you can catch up on last year’s winners over a delicious beer.
We will be developing partnerships with more schools and educational establishments within the borough as well as youth groups such as Creative Youth, and expanding our work with the KIFF youth team to deliver a programme geared as much to inviting young filmmakers into the fold as to helping experienced film-makers improve their craft and make their next connections
Our team- built from a modest four, now includes awards-nominated filmmakers, writers, directors and journalists from all over the borough who have come together through a great love of film, to curate a programme even more exciting than last year’s.