saturday 8 june
MOSTLY MADE IN SOUTHEND PART ONE
11.00AM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE BALLROOM : TICKETS £7.00
What talent we have! Ten locally made short films for you to enjoy.
+ WHAT DOES THE SCHOOL HELPS WITH TREETOPS SCHOOL
UK : 13m : Director Samuel Turner
This is an educational short film which shares its facts about how Treetops School in Essex are working harder to help various and other disabled students.
+ HOW ARE YOU?
UK : 11m : Director Alexander Chettur
Alex and Sam are on their first date that starts off awkwardly, but one question changes the whole mood of the night.
+ ASHLAND
UK : 18m : Director Daniel De'Ath
Two small-time chancers find themselves in over their heads when they are tied up and blindfolded in a warehouse. Confronted by the mysterious 'X', Two-times and DB will need all their wits and charm to talk their way out of the situation. But, not all is as it seems...
+ ALL I REMEMBER
UK : 3m : Director Daniel Keeble
After surviving a terror attack, Beth struggles to repeat her journey on the London Underground.
+ THE BOTTLE
UK : 11m : Director Sam Windle
A recovering alcoholic fights against relapsing as he reflects on his past, which is all too similar to the present, as he stares at the bottle as if staring down the barrel of a gun.
+ WAR OF THE BIRDS
UK : 9m : Director Daniel Keeble
On Christmas Day, two rival birdwatchers desperate for some solitary spotting find themselves in the same hide and their bitterness towards each other resurfaces. Can the season of goodwill help bring them together?
+BEHOLDEN
UK : 14m : Director Leon Lopez
Lee’s only hope of escaping prison on a murder charge, is his childhood sweetheart, who is now a lawyer. Will Carlie be willing to revisit the traumatic past, she worked so hard to get away from, in order to save him?
+ THE NIGHT BLOOMS
UK : 7m : Director Daniel Keeble
Driven by a mother's love and a desire to protect her children from a dangerous world, a woman resorts to unsettling measures by keeping them permanently asleep.
+ THE DIRECTOR
UK : 5m : Director Oscar Degirolamo
Ted finds himself in a situation that defies all that we know.
SHEILA APPLETON: PAINTING HER LIFE
Directed by Richard Dawson
11.00AM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE ROYAL VIEW SUITE : TICKETS £7.00
After aspiring to be a dancer as a youngster, Sheila Appleton became a prolific artist and has been an important part of the Leigh on Sea art scene for as long as anyone can remember. At 83 years of age, in this charming profile, filmed largely in her studio in Leigh Old Town, she reflects on her long and colourful life.
+ FROM THAILAND TO TENBURY: SHOWING SHEEP IN THE SHIRES
UK : 22m : Director Simon Frith
Growing up in Thailand, the one thing Benni definitely didn't want to be was a farmer. Meeting Jeremy changed everything, and together they now breed and show Suffolk Sheep in the green pastures of England. Her first ever country show, the Royal Welsh Show, is fast approaching, but will they triumph with the coveted rosettes or is it all just a life of blood, sweat and shears? A heart-warming insight into the 24/7 life of sheep breeders in the UK.
STAN AND OLLIE'S HORROR-ON-SEA SHOW
Presented by Roger Robinson
1.30PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE BALLROOM : TICKETS £7.00
While they are not exactly well known as ‘horror stars’, our favourite big screen comedy duo did
include some surprisingly ‘horrific’ elements to their films – albeit with the usual Laurel & Hardy
comedic touch! So steel yourself and have a great time as Roger Robinson, of the local L&H group, presents ‘The Boys’ in their version of Southend’s Horror-on-Sea Film Festival:
The Live Ghost (shipboard antics), Habeas Corpus (cemetery high jinks), Oliver the Eighth (husband-hating serial killer), The Laurel-Hardy Murder Case (haunted house capers) plus bonus extras, including “a surprise rarity”.
Piano accompaniment (for Habeas Corpus) by Adam Ramet
THE STARS WILL TELL, INSPECTOR PALMU
Finland : 1h 40m : 1962 : BW : Subtitles : Certificate '12'
Directed by Matti Kassila
1.30PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE ROYAL VIEW SUITE : TICKETS £7.00
Back by popular demand! The good Inspector Palmu was one of the hits of the last two festivals, so
here he is again with another mystery to solve in his own inimitable manner. An astronomer’s body is
found on Helsinki’s Observatory Hill. A tough enough case but, with the investigation hampered by the media spreading false information, our hero faces his most difficult challenge yet.
SOUTHEND'S THEATRES
Presented by Chris Izod
4.00PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE BALLROOM : TICKETS £7.00
Local historian Chris Izod’s second presentation takes a look at Southend’s rich theatre history. It
includes Southend on Stage, which profiles the history of theatre in our city since 1793, and a
fascinating profile of celebrated pantomime dame Clarkson Rose (also known for this Twinkle
variety shows) which was filmed at the Palace Theatre during his final performance in panto, in 1965.
Introduced by Emma Palmer, features writer at the
Echo
THE PERFECT SECRET
Germany : 2h : 2019 : Subtitles : Certificate '15'
Directed by Bora Tagdekin
4.00PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE ROYAL VIEW SUITE : TICKETS £7.00
Three women and four men meet for dinner. Someone has a great idea: Let’s put our mobile phones in the middle of the table, on speaker, and we’ll share any messages and pictures. Or perhaps it’s not such a good idea, as this ‘entertaining pastime’ develops into a tense and embarrassing situation, full of surprise revelations which put their long-standing relationships under strain. Perhaps some secrets really should remain hidden!
Kindly sponsored by Pier View Self Catering Apartments
MOSTLY MADE IN SOUTHEND PART TWO
6.30PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE BALLROOM : TICKETS £7.00
What talent we have! Ten locally made short films for you to enjoy.
+ DESCENT
UK : 9m : Director Daniel Keeble
In the midst of a relationship breakdown, Dominic and Megan find themselves at a juncture when devastating news is revealed
+ VILLAGE OF THE YEAR
UK : 17m : Director Franz Böhm
When Norhurst wins "Village of the Year," Tommy rejoices, but as investors swarm in, pushing up rents, he and his friends launch a daring plan to save their community from gentrification.
+ UNSEEN SADNESS
UK : 6m : Director Jason Impey
Unseen Sadness is a short film looking at the impact of mental health as a hidden disability, particularly autism & ADHD. Exploring the causes and effects of depression.
+ FREYBUG
UK : 5m : Director Daniel Keeble
''Parked up in a secluded part of the woods, young couple Freya and Jake reluctantly help a woman who's lost her dog''
A short film written, prepared and shot in 72 hours bringing Southend FIlmmakers together for Halloween!
+ LENA
UK : 18m : Director Maria Lee Metheringham
A sexy stylish, neon infused short film, exploring the archetype and primitive mental image often depicted by a Femme Fatale and how one man 'Owen' is drawn into the clutches of the temptress without even realising what is happening to him. Although Lena is being played her own game.
+ ALLEVIATE
UK : 15m : Director Daniel Keeble
A grieving man blames himself for the accidental death of his child. Isolated and consumed with guilt, he attempts to reunite with his estranged wife in a uniquely cerebral and enigmatic narrative that explores the complexity, delirium and non-linearity of grief.
The late Darren Kent gives a typically powerful performance in this demanding drama. We will be celebrating Darren's life and career at our Closing Gala.
+ LAY-BY
UK : 10m : Director A G Longhurst
On a cold dark night, Lizzie's car is broken down in a lay-by. Alone she needs help as she needs to be somewhere? Is Aiden her knight in shining tin foil? Or is he something else? But who is the one really in danger? Are they really who they say they are? Are they going to they going to the same somewhere?
+ GOING LIVE
UK : 2m : Director Daniel Keeble
During a live episode of soap 'Ocean Drive', a crazed fan breaks onto the set, holds the cast hostage and demands the story be re-written. Goodfoot Films is honoured to exclusively share this adapted scene from the proposed feature film Going Live, as sociopathic producer Leibowitz discovers his television studio has been compromised!
+ KEEP
UK : 22m : Director Lewis Rose
In a lighthouse now turned into a museum, Gordon, the former keeper, is confronted with loneliness and pines for days gone by. When Musa, an Afghan refugee, knocks on his door, Gordon finally finds the support he has been waiting for. But when Gordon discovers the true intentions of Musa's visit, he is faced with a moral dilemma that will throw his long held convictions into question...
Starring Festival Patron Phil Davis
+ WHAT'S IT LIKE
UK : 4m : Director Steve Downey
This short film, directed by Steve Downey is based on a poem about Autism, written and performed by Christina Jane. So far the film has won 14 awards at film festivals across the world! "What is it Like?" is the third of a series of 4 films by Steve and Christina about Autism and ADHD. Both Steve and Christina are on the Autism spectrum, but were not diagnosed until adults. Their mission is to bring about increased awareness of Autism and ADHD, particularly amongst women and girls.
LOST IN PARIS
France : 1h 23m : 2016 : Subtitles : Certificate '12'
Directed by Dominique Abel & Fiona Gordon
6.30PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE ROYAL VIEW SUITE : TICKETS £7.00
Martha, an 80 year old former dancer from Canada, has been happily living in Paris for decades, but is now told she must move to an old people’s home. Desperate to avoid this, she asks Fiona, her niece back home, for help. Completely out of her depth, the distinctly unworldly Fiona reluctantly heads for Paris, where she finds Martha missing – and promptly loses her ID and money! A homeless man unexpectedly comes to her rescue and, for better or worse, they set out to find Martha.
This absolutely charming comedy has been deservedly described as ‘Tati meets Chaplin’. It’s great fun!
Kindly sponsored by Pier View Self Catering Apartments
+ THE CHAPTER
UK : 20m : Director Roberto Mann & Lorenzo Irrera
The story follows female protagonist Mary, 22. Trapped inside a book-world by Shakespeare's evil son and his magic quill, will she escape the world of castles and wizards or follow the part written for her? Find out in the Action and comedy packed “The Chapter”.
DAVID AND VICTORIA
WORLD PREMIERE
UK : 2h : 2024 : Certificate '15'
Directed by James Wilsher
9.00PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE BALLROOM : TICKETS £7.00
David, a recovering addict, decides to reconnect with his daughter Victoria, from whom he has been estranged for six years, by taking her to the seaside for the weekend - much to the displeasure of his ex, Victoria’s mum. Over two days of sea, sand and donuts David gently tries to convince a deeply sceptical Victoria that he’s really not all that bad. The seaside he chooses is, of course, Southend, and this charming drama, a love letter to the city as well as a story about family and forgiveness, showcases many of our iconic landmarks.
Plus Q & A session
LE BONHEUR
France : 1h 20m : 1965 : Subtitles : Certificate '15'
Directed by Agnès Varda
9.00PM : PARK INN BY RADISSON PALACE ROYAL VIEW SUITE : TICKETS £7.00
Francois and Therese are married with two children. Life is good: the sun shines and the birds sing (the title means “Happiness”). Then Francois meets Emilie, and they fall in love – but he still loves Therese, and he wants her to share his now even greater happiness. Directed by celebrated filmmaker Agnès Varda, this romantic drama is completely riveting because the characters are so likeable and the story is told with such honesty. It’s also beautiful to look at, as the characters work themselves through this rather unique situation.
+ UGLY
UK : 3m : Director Daisy Mohamed
An abstract, experimental film about self-image and the hardships of overcoming it. Based on multiple viewpoints, the film explores the intimate anxieties of peoples' self-perspectives.