Bolton Film Festival returns for it’s second edition from 2nd-4th October at the Light Cinema complex within the Market Place – a nine screen cinema in the heart of the town.
Supported by partner venues The Albert Halls, Neo Arts Gallery, Bolton Library & Museums and The Holiday Inn the festival will screen around 100 short films from both home and abroad.
Our patron Maxine Peake is opening the festival on Tuesday 2nd at 7.30pm and is supported in her role by a stella line up of industry professionals including 4 x BAFTA winner Colin Pons, BAFTA winning writer Chris Lunt, BAFTA and Emmy award winning animation creative Bridget Appleby, Olivier award winning TV/Film and Theatre director David Thacker (Octagon Theatre/Bolton University) and many more illustrious industry jurors.
Last years films included BAFTA winning short films, student films, community film-makers, Kickstarters and Creative England short films, the most notable success coming from “The Silent Child” which picked up the Oscar for Best Short Action film.
Chris Overton the director of the Silent Child said “Out of all the festivals I have been to this one was definitely up there as one of my favourites. They had their own unique touches which really made the festival special. It was amazing to see our film in front of such a big audience and on such a big screen, it was HUGE. This festival has so much heart and the festival organisers are super professional and really care about the filmmakers. There passion shines through. Oh and the awards are SO nice."
The festival will not only be screening films but also hosting industry talks.
“Made up North Talks”2:00pm – 6:00pm on Wed 3rd October
Light Cinema Bolton
BAFTA winning director Colin O’Toole of the short film “Cowboy Dave” will be screening the film with a Q &A and film-maker Aaron Dunleavy will present “Landsharks” his latest short film featuring street cast actors from Blackburn. 2 x BAFTA Scotland winner Duncan Cowles will be talking about his award winning documentaries and Sol Papadopoulos will talk about a slate of recent releases from award winning Hurricane Films.
“The IRIS Award programme”8.00pm – 10:00pm Wed 3rd October
Albert Halls, Bolton
The leading LGBT festival The IRIS Award will bring “The Best of IRIS” programme to the Albert Halls on Wednesday 3rd October. Curated by the Bolton’s festival director Adrian Barber the films look back on landmark films from the last three years at IRIS.
“A Changing Tide? - Women in Film”1:00pm – 3:00pm on Thurs 4th October
Bolton Museum & Libraries
Women have been historically under-represented in a variety of key behind-the-scenes roles in film (directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, cinematographers) but with the campaigns of #MeToo and the #TimesUp movement is this the beginning of change in the industry? What does a #StrongFemaleCharacter represent on screen? how does the adoption of more family friendly working practices offer new alternatives for career paths? A panel of professionals including Catherine Bray of Random Acts and Loran Dunn of Delaval Films/Short Flix discuss the challenges, pitfalls and opportunities open to filmmakers looking to create work which is reflective of the diverse world we now live in.
“Diversity in Film”11:00am – 12:15pm on Thurs 4th October
Holiday Inn, Bolton
Creative England bring a panel of industry experts to speak on “Diversity in Film”. More details and speakers t.b.c
Experimental FilmNeo Artists gallery will host and judge the experimental film entries screened in a gallery format throughout the three days of the festival.
View the current advertised lineup
here.
The industry talks will be free to attend and last year BIFF was joined by students from UTC Media City, UCLAN, Salford University, Bolton University and Bolton College as well as film-makers and the public.
The festival kicks off on Tuesday 2nd October with the opening night, including a Q & A with Maxine Peake who will be screening her short film “Time Away” along with the a selection of some of the best films enter into competition.
Details of the line up of films and further talks, masterclasses and training will be posted on the festivals site
www.boltonfilmfestival.com and it’s social media sites under the hashtag #BoltonFilmFest
Bolton Film Festival is provided in association with Bolton Council, The Light Cinema and Bolton at Home.
