More venues to host Bradford International Film Festival screenings (From Wharfedale Observer)

More venues to host Bradford International Film Festival screenings

11:30am Thursday 18th March 2010

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Venues in and around the Wharfe Valley are preparing to take part in one of the most prestigious events in the UK film calendar for the first time.

Ilkley, Otley and Horsforth have been chosen to host satellite screenings for the 16th Bradford International Film Festival, which starts today.

The event will showcase over 120 features from countries around the world, including the sci-fi remake of The Man Who Fell to Earth and the critically-acclaimed Swiss drama Animal Heart. For the past ten years, films have been shown at the National Media Museum but nine extra venues will take part this year to appeal to a wider audience.

US coal mining documentary Bonecrusher will kick off the programme of events at Trinity University College in Horsforth tomorrow and will be followed by the Canadian film The Red Rooster and a workshop on screenwriting called What’s the Story?

College head of media, film and culture Chrissie Poulter said they were delighted to be part of the festival and that it was really encouraging to see it make use of venues across the region.

“Their satellite venue initiative allows us to share our excellent screening facilities and add yet another dimension to our film and media provision,” she said. “We look forward to members of the public joining us throughout the weekend of events.”

On Sunday, Ilkley Playhouse will show two new films – Animal Heart, which won an international critic’s prize at the Mannheim-Heidelberg Film Festival, and Donkey, the story of a family on holiday set against the backdrop of the Balkan War.

David Howell, of Ilkley Film Society, said it could be the only chance for people to see these critically-acclaimed films as not all films shown at the festival will achieve wider distribution.

He added: “We hope these screenings will greatly increase public awareness of both the existence of the Bradford International Film Festival and of the excellent facilities for watching films that Ilkley Film Society has at the Playhouse.

“The festival is making a real effort to reach out to the area surrounding Bradford and we think such initiative deserves support. Good attendance will doubtless result in more such events in the years to come.”

Otley Courthouse’s programme runs from Thursday, March 25, and includes the international premiere of It Was Great, But I Was Ready to Come Home by American independent film makers Kris and Joe Swanberg.

Other showings include The Man Who Fell To Earth, starring David Bowie and the road trip movie Blue Bus. It will finish on Sunday, March 28, with screenings of shortlisted entries for The Shine Short Film Award, which recognises innovation and originality.

John Bennett, of Otley Film Society, said: “This is the first time that the Bradford Film Festival has moved into the Wharfe Valley and reflects the success of the film societies in Otley and Ilkley and the audience for new films that can now be found in lower Wharfedale.”

Bradford was named Unesco city of film last year and will be holding a series of events to celebrate the title as well as star-studded film premieres. There will also be family film fun days based on Roald Dahl classics such as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Colin Philpott, National Media Museum director, said “We are delighted to be expanding the Bradford International Film Festival beyond the walls of the museum. This is just the first of many ways in which the people of Bradford and beyond will see the benefits of Bradford’s status as the world’s first Unesco City of Film”.

Visit nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/biff or call the box office on 0870 701 0200.

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