Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival
North by Northeast
Wednesday 25th – Sunday 29th September 2013
Get involved in the Festival’s Participatory Programme with workshops, film screenings and events for all ages
Next weekwill see the border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed transform into one big cinema screen for the 9th Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival and there is plenty for all the family to get involved in!
This year our Youth Programme is jammed packed and involves a whole range of exciting activities for all ages to enjoy. Our feature film programme kicks off with the cult Finnish classic Moomins and the Comet Chase, suitable for young children and nostalgic parents alike. Wickie and the Treasure of the Gods is a great action-packed Viking adventure for all the family. On Sunday we are joined by The Great Bear - a beautiful Danish animation about a mythical forest and its biggest, 1000-year-old resident. Kauwboy is a special treat about a young boy and his friendship with a Jackdaw bird, programmed by young people from Berwick Youth Project’s Open Door Film Club. And for the finale we’re honored to be joined by Kari Anne Moe, director of Norwegian teen documentary, Bravehearts, to introduce her film.
We will also be celebrating our homegrown filmmaking talent at the Young Filmmakers Showcase, with the prestigious Chris Anderson Award for Best Young Filmmaker and the inaugural Wilson’s Tales Film Award, both with hot cash prizes!
Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival is not just an annual event but works year round to offer opportunities for people to get involved, thanks to the support of a range of funders, sponsors and programme partners.
Festival Director Melanie Iredale said today “With our theme looking to Northern Europe we have been spoilt for choice for fantastic films for children and young people. Our youth programme has grown hugely this year, with thanks to Community Foundation, The Co-operative Membership, Bridge North East, Queens Hall Arts and General Mills, who have all supported hands-on activity for the younger generation, not just over the Festival itself but digital arts workshops for teenagers over the Summer and screenings for schools in the lead up.”
Young people have been participating in workshops led by professional artists and filmmakers in schools in and around Berwick, inspired by On the Precipice – a touring programme of immersive digital video work, which will visit the Festival in The Big M, an inflatable mobile cinema. Berwick Youth Project, Berwick Academy, Duchess Community High School and Longridge Towers School have all participated.
This year the Festival will also hold more School Screenings than ever before, with school groups invited to sneak preview screenings of some of the best films from our youth programme – and making their own Moomins finger puppets and Wickie–inspired Viking helmets!
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved over the weekend - the Festival are once again hosting some great workshops in The Maltings Studio – whether you’re interested in being in front of the camera or behind the scenes there is something for you!
Films
Moomins and the Comet Chase
Sat 28th Sept | 11:00 | Maria Lindberg
Finland – dubbed in English | 2010 | 75min
Sugg. U
Moomin Valley is threatened by a comet from outer space. With the help of his father, Moominpappa, Moomintroll and his worried friends build a raft and embark on a challenging journey to the observatory! Listen out for the opening song by Bjork! Based upon the books by Finland's renowned children's author and illustrator, Tove Jansson.
Wickie and the Treasure of Gods
Sat 28th Sept | 13:00 | Christian Ditter
Germany – dubbed in English | 2011 | 96mins
Sugg. PG I Sponsored by Simpsons Malt
When the mighty Viking Halvar suddenly disappears, his clever but timid daughter Wickie must lead the Vikings on a dangerous journey to rescue her father from the evil Sven and go in search of the legendary treasure of the gods. A comedy action adventure - by longboat!
The Great Bear
Sun 29th Sept | 11:00 | Esben Toft Jacobsen
Denmark – dubbed in English | 2011 | 73min
Sugg. PG
Jonathan and his little sister Sophie are on holiday at their grandfather's cabin deep in the forest. Jonathan tries to get rid of Sophie, but when he succeeds all too well: she is kidnapped by a giant, 1000-year-old bear, and Jonathan must save her! A beautifully animated, mythical adventure.
Young Filmmakers showcase
Sun 29th Sept | 13:00 | Various | UK | 90min Sugg. PG I Sponsored by National Youth Film Academy
A celebratory showcase for Young filmmakers from across the region. At stake is a cash prize, donated by the family of the late Chris Anderson – including his son, blockbuster director Paul W.S. Anderson. Also presented is the World Premiere of the winner of the Wilson’s Tales Projects Film Award.
Kauwboy
Sun 29th Sept | 15:00 | Boudewijn Koole |
The Netherlands | 2012 | 81min | Sugg. 12A
Programmed by young people for young people, Kauwboy has been selected by Berwick’s Open Door Film Club. The enthralling story of a young boy named Jojo and the relationship he builds with a baby Jackdraw bird he finds fallen from its nest. Winner of the Best First Features Award at Berlinale.
Bravehearts
Sun 29th Sept | 17:00 | Kari Ann Moe |
Norway / Sweden | 2012 | 118min |
Sugg. 15
Sana, Henrik, Haakon and Johanne represent four different political youth parties, each preparing for the Norwegian election campaign in 2011. On 21 July, Johanne boards the ferry to the AUF summer camp on the Island of Utoya. This documentary portrays the generation marked for life by the massacre on 22 July 2011. With extended introduction by the director.
Workshops & Activities
Acting For Camera
Sat 28th Sept | The Maltings Studio
10:00-12:00 – ages 8-13
13:00-15:00 – ages 14-18
A hands-on workshop in acting for camera –
take on a role, film each other, and see yourself on the big screen. Learn about the how film acting is different to stage acting – and how much fun it can be! Led by Dummy Jim actor, Samuel Dore and comedy writer James Harris.
£3.50, booking required.
Make your own Soundtrack
Sun 29th Sept | 12:00 – 17:00
The Maltings Studio
FREE just drop-in!
A chance to create your own score for a film, and to make some noise! Bring your own objects from home, or pick up a number of items here in the studio and work with others to create a eclectic soundscape. Led by Dummy Jim director and sound designer, Matt Hulse.
Free, drop-in workshop for all ages – no experience or booking required.
With plenty for all ages to see and do over five action-packed days, we hope you will join us to make this year’s Festival even bigger and better than ever! Many events and all installations are free, and tickets are available online from the Festival website http://berwickfilm-artsfest.com/booking-information and from The Maltings Box Office in person or by calling 01289 330999. For further information or to sign up for our regular newsletters, please go to www.berwickfilm-artsfest.com
With last year’s Festival resulting in Berwick’s B&B’s “selling out,” Festival organisers recommend visitors check with Berwick Tourist Information Centre for live updates on accommodation availability. Please go to http://berwickfilm-artsfest.com/getting-to-berwick for information on getting here, or call Berwick Tourist Information Centre on +44 (0)1289 301 780.