The Lowestoft Film Festival (LFF) that is set to take place across October 22-28 October, launched back in February of this year by Joshua Freemantle and Patrick Johnson of Sunrise Studios, a local community production company that directly supports young people from disadvantaged rural communities to help them realise their potential within the creative arts and film industry.
The original idea of the film festival was formed in September 2021 and the duo decided with the support of local regional charity Access Community Trust, that it felt right to finally launch the film festival earlier this year.
The programme includes an outstanding selection of local, regional and national films, curated from nearing 300 submissions.
Screenings are set to take place in venues including the Lowestoft Library & The Grit Arts Centre across the weekend on 22-23 October, as well as the Parcels office exhibition space at the Lowestoft central train station being home to a special exhibition on the history of cinema in Lowestoft and the newly revamped East Point Pavilion will also feature an evening screening of specially selected coastal themed shorts from the 24-28 October.
There’s something for everyone to enjoy with 86 films screening across the festival. The programme includes two special programmes of family friendly animated shorts, with themes ranging from suspenseful thrillers, family comedies and action-packed shorts. The films also cover a range of relatable topics to both old and modern times, and there’s no way to fully describe the great variety on offer unless you explore the programme itself on Lowestoft Film Festival’s website.
Joshua Freemantle (Founder of LFF & development producer of Sunrise studios) said:
“We’re so proud of what we’ve been able to put together and we can’t wait to welcome audiences across the venues in the town in October. The full selection features a range of bold and innovative stories from around the country, with the subject matters catering for audiences of all ages and tastes. The inaugural edition of the Lowestoft Film Festival has truly become an event that will be supporting and showcasing independent film from across the region and wider afield, and all ticket proceeds from the festival will be donated to local charity Access Community Trust.”
Full details about each film featured in the Official Selection, alongside a trailer for the event, are available for the public to view at https://project1-nza5x1kfoh.live-website.com/programme.
Co-founder Patrick Johnson adds: “The last couple of years have been difficult for creatives in our region, especially the upcoming generation that might not have been able to utilise their studies or the creative freedom that comes with being a young filmmaker/creative. Lowestoft Film Festival has provided an opportunity that people can absolutely grab with both hands and I can’t wait to see it all come together.”
The Film Festival is made possible with support from East Suffolk Council, Film Hub South East, Lowestoft Town Council, Lowestoft Central Project & Wherry Lines Partnership, Friends of Lowestoft Library, East Point Pavilion, The Grit Arts Centre, Sunrise Studios & Access Community Trust. To stay updated with the latest on the film festival and when bookings open, follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @LWTFilmFest.
