
festival schedule
opening gala



There's Always Hope
THURSDAY 26TH MAY: 8.30PM (DOORS AT 8:00PM)
ODEON CINEMA
TICKETS: £30 (inc. Black Tie pre-film reception,
from 7pm, and after show party) OVER 18s ONLY
Genting Casino Westcliff, Park Inn by Radisson Palace Hotel Southend-on-Sea and Pier View Self Catering Luxury Apartments have kindly sponsored our Opening Gala.
Successful author Jonathan Stack has been so obsessed with trying to write his hit novel he’s let his marriage to Samantha, also his agent and editor, break down. Ever more frustrated, she announces she’s leaving him for her business partner Luke, a hapless control freak who’s loved Sam forever. Shocked and dazed, Jonathan abandons the elegant family home in leafy Stratford Upon Avon and drives his ancient Jaguar XK150 to the family villa in Portugal.
Enter Hope, their young daughter, who, having failed to get any sense from her mother, abandons her studies and pursues her father to find out what’s gone wrong. However, she finds out that the truth is more complicated and unexpected than she thought.
Director/screenwriter Tim Lewiston has produced a compelling drama, and assembled an excellent cast, headed by Colm Meaney and Kate Ashfield, with Hannah Chinn as the appropriately named Hope.
We are delighted that director Tim Lewiston, Producer Victor Glynn and cast members Colm Meaney, Hannah Chinn and John Light will be joining us.
Gala night screening courtesy of Moviehouse Entertainment.