Suffolk’s Largest Film Festival Launches Official Selection

The Sunrise Film Festival, Suffolk’s largest and BFI backed short film festival, is thrilled to announce its official selection and event lineup for the 2024 edition.

This year’s festival will feature an impressive 124 short films, promising an exciting and diverse range of cinematic experiences for all attendees.

Running from August 1st to 4th, 2024, the festival will take place at the iconic Marina Theatre in Lowestoft, which features one of the largest cinema screens on the East Anglian Coast. The festival is also proudly supported by the Lowestoft Town Council, reflecting their dedication to fostering cultural growth and promoting the arts within the community.

Film lovers are set to once again be treated with a tantalising programme of independent films, free events, Q&As and Outdoor Cinema’s, with a short film also starring 2024’s BAFTA Rising Star Mia Bruce.

Sister Wives Screening at Sunrise Film Festival, Starring BAFTA Rising Star 2024 Mia Bruce
Sister Wives Screening at Sunrise Film Festival, Starring BAFTA Rising Star 2024 Mia Bruce

In its third edition, the film festival saw a record number of submissions with over 460 short films submitted into the festival’s competition categories from across the country. Last year’s festival saw over 1,800 people attending the events – organisers have announced that something for all age ranges and tastes will once again be available this year.

The programme includes a selection of 124 short films selected from the festival’s 2024 competition submissions including local regional, national and for the first time international independent filmmakers.

Programmed screenings and events are set to take place across the Marina Theatre and intimate screenings in Sams Cafe on Bevan Street East in the heart of the town from 1-4 August.

Festival Co-Founder Joshua Freemantle: Credit – Sunrise Studios
Festival Co-Founder Joshua Freemantle

“We are incredibly excited about this year’s lineup and the new experiences we are bringing to our audience,” said Joshua Freemantle, Co-Founder of Sunrise Film Festival & Development Producer at Access Community.

“With the support of Lowestoft Town Council, Lovells, GXO and the BFI Audience Network we are set to deliver a festival that not only showcases the best in short films but also fosters a vibrant community spirit.”

The festival’s 2024 return is once again backed by the BFI Film Audience Network, awarding Funds from the National Lottery in order to bring this project to more audiences across the UK, as part of this support you can the whole festival for just £5 with a festival pass giving you unlimited entertainment for 4 days this Summer.

For more information on all the events and films, visit: sunrisefilmfestival.co.uk/