EVENTS AND Q & As
Friday 27th September
Charles Band Q & A
Screen 2
Following our 40th anniversary screening of Trancers we're delighted to be joined by the film's director and Empire Pictures founder, Charles Band.
We'll explore how Empire Pictures became so successful, and in particular look at the production of Trancers making it one of Empire Pictures most successful franchises (spawning a total of six films) under the helm of Charles and how the company became one of the biggest independent studios ever.
Saturday 28th September
The work of Film Hub North
Showroom 5
Join us for a look at the work Film Hub North do in supporting film production and exhibition in the North of England. We will be joined by Talent Executive, Ben Taylor, and Sam Barnett, Talent Producer who will explore the initiatives the organisation is working on through talent development, funding opportunities and community engagement.
Attendees will gain insights into the innovative projects and success stories that have emerged from this hub, providing an inspiring look film filmmakers seeking the additional support needed to get their project off the ground.
Kurious Cultural Finance is one of the services offered by The Kurious to support film makers and other independent creatives. Adrian Hackett will be on hand to introduce the bond scheme as a new approach to feature film finance, covering off how the scheme works, some of the projects currently available and how you can get involved as either a filmmaker looking to finance a feature or if you're interested in investing in other feature films.
Saturday 28th September
Feature Film finance bond scheme
Showroom 5
Saturday 28th September
Shooting Stories
Showroom 5
They say filmmaking is 20% creativity and 80% problem solving. Join our panel of established filmmakers as they talk through some of their on-set challenges, unexpected mishaps and employing that all important creative problem solving.
This discussion offers a behind the scenes look at the creative process, revealing trials and triumphs that have shaped indie cinematic journeys that have brought films to fruition.
The panel will include estemmed filmmakers Debbie Howard (Safe), Oz Arshad (Opening Up), James Pickering (I Could Never go Vegan), Ben Bovingtomn-Key (The Nun Slayer) and Louisa Connolly-Burnham (Sister Wives) and will be hosted by Rob Speranza of the South Yorkshire Filmmakers' Network.
Saturday 28th September
Open the Stage - live performances
Showroom 5
We're welcoming the Usual Void Theatre Co who are presenting OPEN the STAGE as part of the Spirit Of Independence Film Festival. They will be performing a series of scripts and new work from Yorkshire based Writers, Actors & Creatives.
If you're looking to see how your script works with performers, they will be accepting submissions up until 9th September and can be submitted to charlie@usualvoid-theatre.co.uk
Saturday 28th September
The Directors Take Live Podcast
Screen 2
We're delighted to be welcoming the acclaimed ‘Director’s Take’ podcast, hosted by Oz Arshad and Marcus Anthony Thomas for a very special live podcast taking place in Screen 2. Award-winning filmmakers, Oz and Marcus, offer a behind the scenes look at the film industry with their insightful and popular podcast, previously hosting such guests as Rose Glass.
They will be joined by BAFTA winner and Oscar nominee, Chris Hees who's animated film The Bigger Picture and live-action short How I didn't Become a Piano Player have accumulated more than 200 festival screenings and over 75 awards between them. Chris will be recounting his experiences of the awards circuits and the journey that led him to the Oscars.
Sunday 29th September
Working with a colourist
Showroom 5
Have a film that just doesn't have that look that you imagined? Or just want to bring out certain colours to heighten your film? Colourist Paul Handley will talk you through the process of colour grading and how it can enhance your film to get that cinematic look.
Paul is an experienced BAFTA Connect Colourist, having graded 7 feature films, countless short form productions many of which have gone onto being shown in prestigious film festivals including a short being recognised by both BAFTA and BIFA LongLists.
Two feature films that he has worked on have gone onto full cinematic releases, The Documentary I Could Never Go Vegan in the UK and the Documentary Peace War 911 in the US.
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Sunday 29th September
My Journey to Hollywood - Jo Kissack
Showroom 5
We're delighted to be joined by costume designer, Jo Kissack to talk about her journey from working at the Crucible to Hollywood where she has worked on some of the biggest films of the last twenty years.
Jo has spent more than twenty five years in the film industry. She was Costume Designer for the HBO series 'Westworld'. Her credits as an assistant designer include the Oscar-laden 'Oppenheimer' and movies as diverse as the musical 'La La Land', Joel Coen's 'Tragedy of Macbeth' and the action comedy 'Ant Man and the Wasp'. She has been twice nominated for a Primetime Emmy.
Sunday 29th September
Introduction to Screen Fighting
Showroom 5
Learn how to create fight scenes like the pros in this fun filled screen fighting session. Ideal for people completely new to screen fighting or with minimal experience. Whether you're an aspiring actor or a camera operator who wants to learn how to effectively shoot fight choreography this is the course for you. In this course participants will learn the fundamentals of screen fighting including hit reactions, punches, kicks, falls and how to shoot your own fight scene.
Nathan Geering is a multi-award winning director and fight choreographer. His films have won over 30 awards including Best Director, Best Action, Best Martial Arts and Best International Film. Nathan has provided action design for multiple film and music videos and has learned screen fighting from some of the best in the business, including the Jackie Chan Stunt Team in Beijing
Sunday 29th September
Awards Ceremony
Screen 2
We will be hosting our first ever awards ceremony prior to our closing film on Sunday evening. We have seven categories that we are awarding:
- Best Youthful Spirit short
- Best Northern Spirit short
- Best Rising Spirit short
- Best Independent Spirit short
- Best Performance in a short film
- Best Feature Film
- Best Performance in a Feature Film