If you’ve ever watched the International Film Festivals from around the world on the television or read about them in the media and wished you could attend one well now you can right here in Isle of Man.
Taking place over five days from Wednesday, September 10, to Sunday, September 14, the the IoMFF2014 promises some ‘very special guests’ and will be screening all manner of films from minimovies to feature-length, drama to documentary. Earlybird tickets, at a special reduced ticket price, will be on sale from Monday.
Supported by Island of Culture 2014, it’s a ‘small but significant’ step up from last year’s successful event, with organisers keen to offer a wider variety of events that will take in new venues around the island.
One of the confirmed special guests for the festival is the celebrated BBC film reviewer Mark Kermode, who hosted a sold out IoMFF2014 preview evening over Tynwald weekend.
Mark will be returning to attend the festival, not only to present and congratulate the winners of the International Short Film Competition at the red carpet awards event to be held on the Sunday, but also to host ‘An Audience With...’ on Saturday, September 13, at the Gaiety Theatre in Douglas, during which he’ll be joined onstage to interview some special guests about their careers in the movies.
After the interval of the event, Mark – an accomplished double bass player and singer – will don his musician’s hat and join his award-winning band The Dodge Brothers. They will perform their celebrated Silent Cinema soundtrack to the movie Beggars of Life, which was a big hit at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.
On the Friday evening there will be an exclusive Q&A screening of critically acclaimed Isle of Man Film production Belle, which was partly filmed in the island and has received rave reviews since its release in June.
Festival organisers are delighted that the BAFTA winning director of the film, Amma Asante, is able to be in attendance to answer questions after the screening.
Earlier this year, the IoMFF Short Film Competition was opened up to international entries for the first time. The shortlisted films will be shown in their entirety over the course of the festival period, with a chance for festival goers to take part in an audience vote award.
Returning this year will be the hugely popular Future Shorts film night, which will be screened at different locations around the island all on the same night.
The opening night sees the first exclusive preview of musician Davy Knowles’ documentary Island Bound. Supported by Island of Culture 2014, Pokerstars and Culture Vannin, the documentary is being produced by the island’s own DAM Productions.
Island Bound charts Davy‘s quest to investigate his musical roots and he will be joined onstage by the filmmakers to discuss highlights of the filming process, which took them from the Isle of Man to Chicago, Tennessee and Brittany, with interviews from Peter Frampton, Richard Thompson and Martin Simpson to name a few. Davy will end the night by playing a special electric set, with a band especially selected for the festival.
Tickets will be available at the Earlybird prices for just one week, from August 25 until 31, before going on sale at full price from September 1. Available by calling 600555, from the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal in Douglas or online at www.villagaiety.com
The Future Shorts tickets can only be bought from the venues direct. For updates on the festival visit www.isleofmanfilmfestival.com or follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn (Isle of Man Film Festival) or on Twitter #iomff
Isle of Man Film Festival is supported by, Island of Culture, DAM Productions, Isle of Man Post Office, Claremont Hotel, Conister Bank, Isle of Man Film and Pinewood Pictures, along with RL360 and Chrystals.
Event organisers are on the lookout for volunteers to help out in all areas of the festival, email shawn@isleofmanfilmfestival.com
IoMFF2014 events:
Wednesday, September 10, Davy Knowles’ Island Bound documentary preview evening at the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas.
Thursday, September 11, Future Shorts Summer Festival at venues around the island (Patchwork Cafe in Port St Mary and Bath and Bottle in Douglas, more venues to be confirmed).
Friday, September 12, Isle of Man Film Special Q&A screening of Belle, hosted by Mark Kermode with special guest, director Amma Asante at the Broadway Cinema, Douglas.
Also on Friday, Mark Kermode’s Dodge Brothers exclusive post-show jug and skiffle band gig at Noa Bakehouse in Douglas.
Saturday, September 13, An Audience With... Mark Kermode plus guests, and Silent Cinema Dodge Brothers performance at the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas.
Sunday, September 14, 11am, IoMFF2014 International Short Film Competition screening, and audience vote at Broadway Cinema, Douglas.
Also on Sunday at 2pm, the Red Carpet Awards Ceremony at Broadway Cinema.