Suffolk Film Festival Announces Brand New Partnership

Suffolk’s Sunrise film festival, has this week announced a brand-new partnership with Lowestoft’s Marina Theatre along with major support from Lowestoft Town Council.

Suffolk’s esteemed Sunrise Film Festival has announced an exciting new partnership with Lowestoft’s Marina Theatre Trust, bolstered by substantial support from the Lowestoft Town Council. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the festival, setting the stage for an exceptional lineup of events in the coming years.

As Suffolk’s current largest short film festival and a BIFA (British Independent Film Awards) qualifying event for British Short Films, the Sunrise Film Festival has been a pivotal platform for emerging filmmakers.

The new partnership with Marina Theatre, a renowned venue with an 776-seat capacity, features one of the largest cinema screens on the East Anglian Coast, and promises to elevate the festival experience for both filmmakers and audience members.

Left to Right, Marina Theatre General Manager Sam Vallerius and Festival Co-Founder Joshua Freemantle Credit – Sunrise Studios
Left to Right, Marina Theatre General Manager Sam Vallerius and Festival Co-Founder Joshua Freemantle Credit – Sunrise Studios

The General Manager from Marina Theatre, Sam Vallerius went onto say “We are so excited to be hosting the Sunrise Film Festival at the Theatre. We think it’s such a wonderful event for the town, and it’s our pleasure to be able to support it. We’re especially looking forward to opening our doors to people who may not have experienced watching films at our venue before”.

The festival’s main events for August 2024 and May 2025 will be hosted at the Marina Theatre. This state-of-the-art venue will provide an unparalleled viewing experience, enhancing the festival’s reputation as a premier destination for short films.

The 2024 festival taking place from 1-4 August, is presented with generous support from the Lowestoft Town Council.

Councillor Nasima Begum, Mayor of Lowestoft on behalf of the Town Council said, “We are incredibly proud to support the Sunrise Film Festival and its new partnership with Marina Theatre. This collaboration not only highlights our commitment to promoting the arts and cultural growth in our community but also showcases Lowestoft as a vibrant hub for creativity and talent.”

Marina Theatre - Credit www.vistaviews.co.uk
Marina Theatre – Credit www.vistaviews.co.uk

This support is a testament to the Council’s commitment to promoting the arts and fostering cultural growth in the community. Their backing has enabled the Sunrise Film Festival to embark on a bright future, continuing its expansion with record submission numbers.

Joshua Freemantle, Co-Founder of Sunrise Film Festival & Development Producer at Access Community said, ” We are thrilled to partner with Marina Theatre and grateful for the support from Lowestoft Town Council. Having such a large venue to screen films in as part of the festival with one of East Coast’s largest screens, we think will go down really well with attendees, creating a new experience that we’ve never had before and help to solidify Sunrise Film Festival’s position as a leading platform for short films in the UK.”

Left to Right, Festival Founders Patrick Johnson and Joshua Freemantle with Marina Theatre General Manager Sam Vallerius and Programme and Marketing Manager Natalie Hewis Credit – Sunrise Studios
Left to Right, Festival Founders Patrick Johnson and Joshua Freemantle with Marina Theatre General Manager Sam Vallerius and Programme and Marketing Manager Natalie Hewis Credit – Sunrise Studios

The full programme for this year’s festival will go live at 6pm on Thursday 27 June.

However, tickets are already on sale for two outdoor cinema’s taking place at the Marina Theatre on Friday 1st August & Saturday 2nd August at 6:30pm and can be booking by visiting Sunrise Film Festival’s website.