Take a journey to Durham’s first Artists’ Film Festival

Jul 1 2008 By Alex Carlisle, The Journal

JOURNEYS, the apt theme for Durham’s first Artists’ Film Festival, is to be held at the Gala Theatre and Cinema in Millennium Place in the winter.

The two-day event, which begins on November 22, promises to be a milestone on the road to success for new, emerging and established talent in the region.

Workshops, panel discussions and screenings organised by the Star and Shadow Cinema and the Workplace Gallery, will give artists and filmmakers a chance to show what they can do.

Established names such as Matt Stokes and Marcus Coates will have a big presence at the festival, but so will those who want to participate and learn more about digital art from professionals in the field.

A screening of Un Chien Anadolu by surrealist film-maker Louis Buñuel and the great Salvador Dali will be one reason to attend the festival.

Victoria Manifold, film development officer at the Gala Theatre and Cinema, is encouraging people with ideas to attend the festival with the aim of emulating those who are contributing short films this year.

She said: "The theme Journeys is a broad one so that many filmmakers and audiences can relate to it, but the artists and filmmakers themselves are also on a journey, and giving them the chance to showcase their work is a vital part of that journey."

Victoria, who has been instrumental in the creation of the Artists’ Film Festival, added: "Without a grant from the Arts Council none of this work would have been possible.

"But not only have the Arts Council provided us with the money to make the festival possible, but they also offered us invaluable advice and support."

Victoria’s commitment to delivering high quality screenings while discovering new talent complements the ethos of the Arts Council: "To invest in artists and arts projects that bring communities closer together, we believe that the arts have the power to change people’s lives and communities while creating opportunities for people throughout the country."

Submissions for this year’s festival will be taken up until the end of October. Films should be no longer than 10 minutes and be recorded on DVD.

For any other information you can email Victoria at vmanifold@galadurham.co.uk or ring her on (0191) 332-4058.