A new film festival is coming to the North East this Autumn.
Teesside International Film Festival is coming to ARC in Stockton this October and local filmmakers can now submit their work.
The event will run from October 27-29 and will include film screenings and workshops and masterclasses in acting, screenwriting and producing.
Michael Luke and Craig Conway are the festival directors and they decided that there are not enough opportunities for independent film-makers in the Tees Valley, and the closest independent cinema is the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle.
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Festival Director Michael Luke said: “We want to inspire the next generation of filmmakers from the area.
“We want to show that it is possible to create films and you don’t need a huge budget and year and years of experience, there are awards and categories to suit all levels of experience.
“Our aim is to empower people so that they know there are opportunities in the North East.
“The event isn’t about industry professionals patting each other on the back. It’s a film festival for the people, by the people.”
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There will be categories including drama, comedy, documentary and films shot and edited on a smart phone.
There are also awards for best student film for the up and coming film directors and producers of tomorrow.
The Cannes Film Festival has the Palm D’Or award for best film but Teesside International Film Festival has gone one step further with the The Parmo D’Or Award, which will be given to the best North East film.
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There is even an award for best first-time filmmaker so even the most amateur of film enthusiasts needn’t be put off.
With Newcastle International Film Festival, Sunderland Shorts Festival and North East Film Festival (based in Newcastle), one may assume there are more opportunities further North for student, amateur or professional filmmakers but the team behind Tees Valley International Film Festival believes that there is no shortage of talent in this area
Producer at Arc, Dan Mitchelson, said: “We are hugely excited to be supporting the first Tees Valley International Film Festival. We can’t wait to share a diverse programme of film screenings, workshops and networking sessions with our audiences. The festival will showcase exciting new work from some of the best emerging filmmakers from around the world. It will also provide local people with a chance to find out what it takes to produce and create their own films.”
For more information, or to submit your film, click here.
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