WELCOME

We are proud of the talent we are able to showcase this year, bringing you a range of work from across the globe, including our Country of Focus, Ukraine. Here are some of the Films & Events picked out for you to help you navigate our festival:

• Opening Night Film: The Good Boss – starring Javier Bardem, written and directed by Fernando Léon de Aranoa; a darkly funny satire on the façade of corporate life.
• An Afternoon with Dame Judi – we welcome Dame Judi Dench to the festival, in conversation with Jonathan Dean of Sunday Times Culture Magazine. We shall also be screening: Shakespeare in Love, Philomena, and Notes On a Scandal to celebrate her career as one of Britain’s finest actresses. 
• Films in Competition: Best Film – as usual, we continue to support emerging filmmakers from all over the world. This years jury of renowned artists have been enjoying our exciting shortlist to decide on this years award for ‘Best Film – Emerging Director’.
• Country Focus: Ukraine – we have a special focus on Ukrainian filmmakers, screening: Reflection, Olga and Rhino, with a donation going towards the proceeds going to charity to support the Ukrainian refugees.
• Retrospective: The Crying Game plus Q&A – on the 30^th anniversary of its release, we will welcome the film’s multi-award winning producer, Stephen Woolley. The film has been designated by the British Film Institute (BFI) as one of the best British films ever made.
• Q&A’s with: Israeli filmmaker, Ari Folman, – Where is Anne Frank? – to discuss his new film with one of its stars Tracy-Ann Oberman; with director Elie Grappe on her film Olga; and Rhino‘s Oleg Sentsov, who has exchanged the red carpet for the muddy fields of war. We hope to interview him from the front line. Recent article here.
• Closing Night Film: Both Sides of the Blade – Starring Juliette Binoche as the sharpest corner in a highly-charged romantic love triangle, and directed by legendary French filmmaker Claire Denis.