The programme for this year’s Stroud Film Festival has now been announced with 40 events running across 16 venues from 7th-23rd March, writes Andy Freedman.
This is the festival’s 11th year and the programme is the most varied so, with far films, events and workshops aimed at audiences of all ages and interests. Tickets are now available at www.stroudfilmfestival.org
The festival aims to celebrate the best of independent cinema bringing international, national and Stroud based talent to the town’s screens. Comedy, drama, classic movies and documentary are all part of the programme. Alongside these feature films, are short films by professional directors and local young people. Many of the events include a chance to meet the makers or are combined with a workshop or discussion.
Italy, Japan and Canada are represented alongside Palestine, South Africa, India and Iceland. Movies about music are included as well as films about political struggle, nature and photography.
Whilst the main programme starts on 7th March, a special screening of Timestalker by local director Alice Lowe provides an unconventional way to spend Valentine’s night at the Brunel Goods Shed. Known for Prevenge and Sightseers, Alice will be there to present the film.
Lansdown Hall, Stroud Film Society, Trinity, SVA and Wootton’s Electric Picture House regularly show films. Stroud Brewery, The Museum in the Park, Hawkwood and the Long Table have been part of the festival for several years, Other venues like Sound Records and the Cotswold Playhouse are usually known for other types of entertainment. Working with this wide range of partner organisations brings a huge variety of viewing for the festival audience.
Pictures: Stroud Film Festival
Vue cinema is the venue for two films: this year festival patrons Jane Millichip and Marc Jobst have selected Brian and Charles as the ‘patrons’ pick’ and they’ll be there to introduce the film. By contrast No Other Land, is a topical Palestinian – Israeli documentary about the occupied West Bank.
This year it’s about making films as well as watching them! Stroud’s 90 Second Film Challenge invites everyone to make a film lasting just 90 seconds over five days. Film School 1 and 2 are workshops which aim to increase people’s skills whilst later in the festival the entries will be on Lansdown Hall’s big screen in 90 Second Stroud. The Museum also hosts workshops: Shadow Puppet Short Film and Paper World Micro Film Set bring craft skills into film making.
Stroud connections this year include Burkitt, screened at the Shambles Hall which tells the extraordinary story of an Irish doctor, buried in Bisley, whose work has saved many lives. Mo, a documentary about the 1960s poetry and music scene will be introduced by Adam Horovitz who has a family connection with some of the cast. By contrast, in partnership with local children’s charity Allsorts there’s a relaxed screening of Finding Nemo.
2025 has something for everyone.
People who would like to help with events or publicity at the festival are invited to email admin@stroudfilmfestival.org. What’s on is at www.stroudfilmfestival.org
For many events tickets will be priced at £8 Pay it Forward, £6 Standard and £4 Low Income which is the result of generous support from the British Film Institute, Renishaw, Ecotricty, Good Small Farms and Darbyshire.
