KIFFEST 23-25 JUNE
WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT THE PROGRAMME FOR OUR 2023 FESTIVAL.
IN WHICH WE WILL DELIVER SCREENINGS, WORKSHOPS AND SOCIAL EVENTS.
Welcome to the 2nd edition Kingston International Film Festival - a three-day celebration of films made by local, national and international film-makers, along with talks, Q&As, family events, networking nights, competitions and a gala awards ceremony on the closing night.
If you are an industry professional or film student and would like more information on our Industry Only events, please contact Shirley@blueelephantfilms.com.
Save money across multiple events with a KIFF ticket bundle - an opportunity to book as little or as many events as you wish across our full three day festival. For more informations about our ticket bundles, please click here.
FRIDAY 23RD JUNE 2023
SCREENINGS
For more info on each individual event click on the respective image.
EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE LOVED
IN COMPETITON
Directed by Peter Simmons
World Premiere
In a non-linear chronology, we follow Satu, an ex-pat Finn returning to her homeland to get back to nature after a terrible loss. Here, in the wilderness, she encounters Lauri, a semi-retired military contractor and the two become trapped in a series of repeating scenarios, switching roles and identities in an isolated cabin with no apparent escape. As the climax approaches, the timelines coalesce and the truth comes into focus as time and identity take a backseat to circumstance and everything hinges on a handful of terrible choices.
Directed by Katharina Woll
A blisteringly hot summer day. Psychotherapist Ina notices something is wrong with her. But she doesn't have time to worry about it: Patients are waiting at the practice, her daughter is threatening to move in with her father, her boyfriend wants to emigrate to Finland, and her self-centered mother is celebrating her 70th birthday. Ina wants to please everyone. But then everything changes.
SELECTED SHORT FILMS
IN COMPETITON
Selected Short Films. Announced soon. Followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
FOUR O'CLOCK FLOWERS
IN COMPETITON
Directed by Peter Callow
In the aftermath of a violent knife crime, two mothers must face their feelings of loss, guilt and revenge.
WORKSHOPS
LEGALS WORKSHOP
Presented by Chloe Hutchings and Josh Jacobson, Associates in the firm’s Film & TV Department, advising on the various legal documents and pitfalls to avoid in producing, financing and distributing film projects.
Lee & Thompson is one of the UK’s leading law firms for the media, technology and creative industries with over 40 years’ experience in the industry.
PITCHING WORKSHOP
Presented by Samuel Ampah – Media Accountant Alliotts
Alliotts is a long-established accountancy firm with specialists consulting in the film industry. This workshop will help you to understand film tax relief and other essential accounting issues.
FILM TAXATION WORKSHOP
Presented by Samuel Ampah – Media Accountant Alliotts
Alliotts is a long-established accountancy firm with specialists consulting in the film industry. This workshop will help you to understand film tax relief and other essential accounting issues.
FILM FINANCE WORKSHOP
Presented by Keith Kehoe – Investment Director at Great Point Media - Keith will explore the fundamentals for structuring feature film financing. The workshop will cover the different types of funding available to projects and the best practices to consider when getting your film off the ground.
Great Point operates exclusively within the media sector and is engaged in a wide range of activities. From financing high quality television and film projects to advising on international distribution strategy, through to funding early-stage creative businesses.
INDUSTRY PANEL
Introduction by Adrian Wootton OBE, CEO British Film Commission & Film London
Statistics show that British independent films are on the decline, and this is undoubtedly due to the extreme difficulty in raising finance.
These films are essential to our indigenous industry, not only does they provide an essential training ground for our up-and-coming talent but are a significant part of British culture and heritage.
How do we ensure finance is more readily available to prevent their demise?
16:00PM Townhouse Courtyard
Confirmed: Michelle Jenkins, Film London. Stephanie Charmail Shorts TV, Keith Kehoe, Great Point Media and Sam Ampah, Alliotts. More names to be announced shortly.
BOOK NOW
SATURDAY 24TH JUNE 2023
SCREENINGS
MAGDALENA & SHORT FILMS
IN COMPETITON
Directed by Filip Gildeon
Magdalena is a young woman communicating with the world around her through music. She dreams of becoming a professional DJ and to move abroad, while at the same time trying to raise her five-year-old daughter, whom she cares for together with her mother. When she meets the famous DJ Julia, her dreams have a chance of coming true. Julia takes her under her wing and invites her to a world-famous DJ party in Berlin. However, old traumas from Magdalena's past have returned to haunt her and now she has to choose what is most important – her daughter or her career?
Directed by Filip Gildeon
Magdalena is a young woman communicating with the world around her through music. She dreams of becoming a professional DJ and to move abroad, while at the same time trying to raise her five-year-old daughter, whom she cares for together with her mother. When she meets the famous DJ Julia, her dreams have a chance of coming true. Julia takes her under her wing and invites her to a world-famous DJ party in Berlin. However, old traumas from Magdalena's past have returned to haunt her and now she has to choose what is most important – her daughter or her career?
EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE LOVED
IN COMPETITION - 2ND SHOWING
Directed by Katharina Woll
A blisteringly hot summer day. Psychotherapist Ina notices something is wrong with her. But she doesn't have time to worry about it: Patients are waiting at the practice, her daughter is threatening to move in with her father, her boyfriend wants to emigrate to Finland, and her self-centered mother is celebrating her 70th birthday. Ina wants to please everyone. But then everything changes.
THE EXTRAS's JOURNEY/
WRESTLING WITH CANCER
IN COMPETITON
The Extra’s Journey
Directed by Hsin-Yu WU
Would you still be willing to pursue a dream no one believes you can achieve? This documentary follows three Taiwanese extra actors of different genders, generations, and backgrounds. For them, family support is both a strength and a hindrance.
Wrestling with Cancer (Starts at 2.15 pm)
Directed by Adil Malik and Saif Babur
A young upcoming professional wrestler from East London, Adil Malik struggles with his battle with cancer in and out the ring. He talks with other cancer survivors, friends and family and NHS professionals.
ANOTHER DAY TO LIVE THROUGH
2ND SHOWING
Directed by Peter Simmons
World Premiere
In a non-linear chronology, we follow Satu, an ex-pat Finn returning to her homeland to get back to nature after a terrible loss. Here, in the wilderness, she encounters Lauri, a semi-retired military contractor and the two become trapped in a series of repeating scenarios, switching roles and identities in an isolated cabin with no apparent escape. As the climax approaches, the timelines coalesce and the truth comes into focus as time and identity take a backseat to circumstance and everything hinges on a handful of terrible choices.
SHORT FILMS 2
IN COMPETITON
Selected Short Films. Followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
U18 SHORT FILMS
IN COMPETITON
Selected U18 Short Films. Followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
A SUMMER WITH JOE, LIZ & RICHARD
IN COMPETITON
Directed by Sergio Naitza
UK Premiere
The title was “Boom!” but the film was a box-office bomb, despite its outstanding artistic team: Taylor-Burton-Losey-Williams-Coward. Why? What happened? More than 50 years later – through recollections, stories and legends – the survivors of that extraordinary adventure speak out. And the set also “speaks”: the cliff where a large villa was built overlooking the sea, the visual heart of the film.
BLACK BAGS
IN COMPETITON
Directed By Josh Brandon
UK Premiere
On a lonely Greyhound bus, a chance encounter between two women (Tess and Sara) with identical black travel bags sets off a deadly game of cat and mouse when Tess discovers she’s swapped bags with a killer, and that their meeting may not have been an accident.
Followed by Q&A with director and lead actress.
WORKSHOPS
EMERGING FILMMAKER FORUM
Introduced by Nick Sadler from First Flights
This was a huge success last year and provided the audience with plenty of useful information and ideas. Which is why we are programming it again this year.
Trying to find your way into the Film Industry is a daunting task. Our panel have done just that! They will be sharing their journeys and how they went about getting started in their careers. They will be happy to answer any questions from the audience.
FILM INSURANCE
ZEISS
Presented by Paul Hillier – Director Tysers Insurance
Whether you are shooting a low budget horror or a super-hero blockbuster you will need insurance. Tysers have been around for over 200 years and are specialists in the Entertainment and Sport Industries. Paul Hillier will be discussing the various insurance policies required and pitfalls to avoid for lower budget productions, including shorts, pilots and features.
Presented by Adam Kidman – Cine Sales Manager Zeiss
A brief talk on the history of Zeiss, touching on their full portfolio. Followed by a hands-on demonstration of wide range of Zeiss lenses.
https://www.zeiss.co.uk/consumer-products/cinematography.html
SPECIAL EVENTS
TIME & SPACE TALK
Presented by David Levy - Global Business Development Director, ARRI Solutions plus guest from TIME + SPACE.
Virtual Production: the answer to independent film making? Presentation on ARRI Solution’s state of the art VP studios - the market leading VP production space in Europe.
BUGSY MALONE
OUTDOOR SCREENING
SUNDAY 26TH JUNE 2023
SCREENINGS
SHORT FILMS
IN COMPETITON
AGE GROUP WINNER/
AGAINST THE LOCH
IN COMPETITON
WE'RE ALL IN THE GUTTER
IN COMPETITON
COYOTE AND SHORT FILMS
IN COMPETITON
CINÉ SCHOOL SCREENING
A LITTLE ENGLISH
IN COMPETITON
TO A CINDER AND SHORT FILMS
IN COMPETITON
EXPOSING MUYBRIDGE AND SHORT FILMS
IN COMPETITON
SPECIAL EVENTS
TRIBUTE TO DAVID WARNER - MORGAN A SUITABLE CASE FOR TREATMENT
AWARDS CEREMONY AND WRAP PARTY
