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8-18 Nov

10th Anniversary

2021 winchesterfilmfestival.com Winchesterfilm

Winchesterfilm

Winchester Film Fest

Box Office

10 years 60+ countries 15 world premieres 28 European premieres 40 UK premieres

“

Welcome to the 10th anniversary edition of Winchester Film Festival. After everyone having to keep our distance to counter the threat of COVID-19, in a country divided by Brexit and polarised by Black Lives Matter, in a world threatened by global warming and increasingly fragmented by nationalism fuelled by fake news... after all this, a sincere and heartfelt welcome is perhaps more meaningful than ever.

It is our way of helping reunite us by offering an arena where we can laugh, gasp and wonder together, no matter what our backgrounds, physical attributes or ideologies. This year’s collection of films promise do just that - delight, excite, provoke and inspire.

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, our 2021 programme also includes special screenings of the most eye-opening and remarkable award winning films from our decade of festival editions. Enjoy!

John Hayes Festival Director

winchesterfilmfestival.com

WFF_Partners, Supporters & Sponsors 2011-2020

artcafé 10

WFA W I N C H E S T E R F I L M & A RT C I C

Screening 11

Festival Director’s Picks

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4 films that made me laugh, cry and grow.

John Hayes, Festival direcotor

America

Ping Pong

Director: Natalia Lampropoulou Producer: Sotiris Petridis Cast: Grace Kendeall, Juston Deeley, Chris Devlin Greece, 2020, 10:07, subtitled A middle-aged woman works on a sex phone line so that she can stay at home and support her paraplegic daughter.

It’s a good idea … until there is an unexpected caller.

Director: Paul Wyett Producer: Kieran Bew Cast: Geraldine Somerville (Gosford Park, Harry Potter), Emily Laing (The Go Between), Elliot Cowan (The Spanish Princess, Da Vinci’s Demons) UK,2020, 16:41 Beautifully acted, intimate British drama exploring the fragile bond between mother and daughter.

Calamity

Midnight Confession

Director: Shir Cohen Producer: Shir Cohen Cast: Noga Katz, Smadar Kilchinski, Eyal Nachmias, Ron Merhavi, Yafa Nachum Isreal, 2020, 22:45, subtitled Yael is struggling with being a teenage woman, struggling with her mother and struggling with the hierarchy of the kibbutz where she lives. A well observed and brilliantly directed short film.

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Director: Maj Jukic Producer: Dominic Baker Cast: Marc Baylis (Arcadia, Coronation Street), Jennifer Preston (Britannia, Borg McEnroe), Harry Pudwell.

UK,2020, 14:34 An emotionally sensitive exploration of the relationship between a parent and child during the early stages of a transition.

2021 Screenings

Details about Venues & Dates are on the WFF_Box Office at: winchesterfilmfestival.com

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5 remarkable award winning short films.

Director’s selection from a decade of festival editions.

8-18 Nov

10th Anniversary

2021

Thursday 18 Nov | 7.30pm Tickets: £15 Box Office: 01962 840 440 theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

Box Office: winchesterfilmfestival.com

10 years 15 World premieres 28 European premieres 40 UK premieres 60+ countries

“

I am proud to present the five short films I have personally selected for this special screening to mark the 10th anniversary of Winchester Film Festival. The purpose of the festival is not just to excite and delight, but to pose questions, provoke debate and test boundaries… so I also feel a little trepidation, as you may not like all five!

The protagonists of each of these very different films are all confronted with an unexpected new challenge that would likely break or evolve any one of us. In Calamity, a mother must choose to either reject or accept her son’s chosen path in love. Mimicry follows a student as she decides to either live a lie or follow the taboo path to her authentic self. In Nicole’s Cage, a couple who think they know one another engage in an erotic game that reveals their true identities. Hostel Eden’s protagonist will find solace either at the end of a rope or in the arms of an unlikely lover. In Whoever Was Using This Bed, a mysterious phone call provokes a husband and wife to examine their darkest fears and desires.

Whether you are watching these eye-opening gems for the first time or revisiting them with new eyes, I naturally hope all five will delight you. But any choice comes with some trepidation and herein lies the joy of Winchester Film Festival - the joy of allowing us to surprise ourselves with something different.

John Hayes winchesterfilmfestival.com

Festiva Director

Films from 5 continents 60+ countries

Winchester’s window into the global zeitgeist 4

Our mission is to screen films that entertain, broaden horizons, provoke debate and reflect the burning issues of our time.

John Hayes Festival director

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Screening 11

Festival Director’s Picks

“

4 films that made me laugh, cry and grow.

John Hayes, Festival direcotor

America

Ping Pong

Director: Natalia Lampropoulou Producer: Sotiris Petridis Cast: Grace Kendeall, Juston Deeley, Chris Devlin Greece, 2020, 10:07, subtitled A middle-aged woman works on a sex phone line so that she can stay at home and support her paraplegic daughter.

It’s a good idea … until there is an unexpected caller.

Director: Paul Wyett Producer: Kieran Bew Cast: Geraldine Somerville (Gosford Park, Harry Potter), Emily Laing (The Go Between), Elliot Cowan (The Spanish Princess, Da Vinci’s Demons) UK,2020, 16:41 Beautifully acted, intimate British drama exploring the fragile bond between mother and daughter.

Calamity

Midnight Confession

Director: Shir Cohen Producer: Shir Cohen Cast: Noga Katz, Smadar Kilchinski, Eyal Nachmias, Ron Merhavi, Yafa Nachum Isreal, 2020, 22:45, subtitled Yael is struggling with being a teenage woman, struggling with her mother and struggling with the hierarchy of the kibbutz where she lives. A well observed and brilliantly directed short film.

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Director: Maj Jukic Producer: Dominic Baker Cast: Marc Baylis (Arcadia, Coronation Street), Jennifer Preston (Britannia, Borg McEnroe), Harry Pudwell.

UK,2020, 14:34 An emotionally sensitive exploration of the relationship between a parent and child during the early stages of a transition.

10th Annivarsary

Award Winning

FILMS To celebrate our 10th anniversary, the 2021 programme includes special screenings of the most eyeopening and remarkable award-winning films from the festival’s 10 year history,

Box Office

Vincent Lamb, Detainment Zuzanna Lis, WFF Photo: Julianbenjamin.com7

4000+ films received from 60+ countries

600 filmmakers brought to Winchester

from USA, Russia & 12 European countries Press & Promotion

4 film crews documenting the Festival 25 Interviews Press coverage on TV and in newspapers from 6 countries including the BBC, The Times and ITV

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Well done Winchester for having the strength and the courage to not only screen but award such a brilliant and controversial film.

Screenings

15 screening venues 350 films screened 15 World premieres 28

European premieres

40+ UK premieres

Bolton Film Festival

50 Q&As 40 Interviews

The King’s City 8

Our story Ten years ago, in the cramped basement of the old Artcafe in Jewry Street, the first edition of what is now the Wincester Film Festival took place. It screened no more than 15 micro-films by local filmmakers.

Today the festival selects from thousands of award winning short and feature length films from five continents and over 60 countries, with a glitzy black tie award ceremony that attracts many international filmmakers. During its ten year history, the festival has screened over 15 World premieres, 35 European premieres and over 40 UK premieres, many with visiting directors participating in audience Q&As. One such film was Detainment by Irishman Vincent Lambe, the polemic drama based on the real interview transcripts from the tragic James Bulger case that shocked the world in 1993. The film, which some see as humanising the two young murderers, continues to incite public outrage. So controversial was the film that on its release in 2018 no cinema or festival in the UK dared screen it. The only exception was Winchester Film Festival which not only premiered Detainment in the UK but also awarded it the accolade of Best Foreign Short Film. At this premiere, director Vincent Lambe and David James Smith who wrote a seminal book about the case, met one another for the first time at a unique Q&A at the Discovery Centre. Two months later Detainment was nominated for an Oscar, earning Winchester Film Festival the reputation as a ‘brave’ festival and firmly placing Winchester on the world map of contemporary culture.

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The Festival’s metoeric rise has been no fluke. It has been down to the good will and adventurous spirit of a multitude of amazing industry professionals, volunteers, visionary sponsors, supporters and partners - in particular, our working partner the University of Winchester. It is then with immense gratitude to all those involved that we are here today to offer you astonishing films that entertain, broaden horizons, provoke debate and reflect the burning issues of our time.

Reviews

“

Such a wonderful and welcoming festival with excellent, very personal communications, great networking and a really high quality selection of international films that really make you think. Really impressed and highly recommend.

Professional photo shoot, interviews and reviews for film makers at the gala night, nightly film makers’ networking drinks, great screening venues and a really fun and switched-on festival team PLUS £1000 prizes. Winchester is also beautiful and easy to get around …what’s not to like?!!

Angela Gourley, Producer

“

The Winchester Film Festival was a wonderful festival to attend.

Excellent communication, amazing festival staff and it was fascinating to see how they run things. They take brilliant care of filmmakers - excellent accommodation, networking events and an amazing black-tie awards ceremony! For the screening of my film, they even invited special guests and journalists with a specific interest in the topic of my film which made it a very special experience. It was a huge honour to win Best Foreign Short Film for 'Detainment'. Thank you so much for the beautiful award and prize money and for a really brilliant festival in such a charming place!

Vicent Lambe, Oscar Nominee.

An excellent festival in all aspects.

Careful programming and great communication!

Khahil Charif, Producer

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“

Amazing festival, brilliant line up of films, really well promoted and attended screenings. I really enjoyed attending the festival, the audience engagement and turn out was fantastic - a great platform with a passion for independent cinema.

Greg Hall, Director

“

We absolutely loved attending the Winchester Film Festival and we definitely going back and urge any filmmakers out there to submit their film. A festival that cares for their upcoming filmmakers. Submit your film or you will regret it!

Elicit Picture, Production company

“

The Winchester Film Festival is everything you'd want from a film festival! The team are terrific, and communication was easy and quick. I felt welcomed and part of the event, and I am honoured that our film screened this year. I particularly love the time given to audience Q&A's after each screen. Can't wait for next years!

Daniel Harding, Director

“

Wonderful festival! John and his team really care about the filmmakers, we had one of the best festival experiences with Winchester Short Film Festival. Brilliant selection of films, great screenings, everything was outstanding! Thrilled to have been part of such a fantastic festival!

Branko Tomovic, Director 43

VENUES

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Everyman cinema Winchester Planetarium Winchester Discovery Centre The Stripe, UOW West Side Theatre, WSA Hampshire Records Office Winchester HiFi P&G Wells St Lawrence Church Winchester Piano Studios The Railway Inn Stockbridge Town Hall The Artcafe Rawberry The Hyde Tavern

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Festival Team - 2012 -2021

Founder/Director John Hayes Associate Director Paul Carter Assistant directors Zuzanna Lis Charlie Osman Team Managers Angus Brooke Megan Diment Grace Fordham Beth Kendall Weiss Zuzanna Lis Nicole Spiteri Administrator Ian Roberts Branding & Design C&CO Liaison Officers Jake Williams Gala Comperes John Hayes Peter Lydon Lucy Mazdon Jonah Weston Screening Hosts Paul Carter Alec Charles Estrella Fernandez Rob Ferrin Lorne Guy Kate Iles Zuzanna Lis Graham Lumb Caroline Sax Brian Thornton

Judges Paul Carter Estrella Fernandez Lorene Guy Kate Iles Sarah Lee Peter Lydon Alison Martin Lucy Mazdon Steven Sanderson Caroline Sax Tim Underwood Jonah Weston Screening Panel Paul Carter John Hayes Kate Iles Zuzanna Lis Ian Roberts Charlotte Wood Event Managers Hannah Baker Magda Corczynska Jodie Ellis Matt Keen Leona Small Jake Williams Charlotte Wood Interviewers Paul Carter Rob Ferrin Kate Iles James Johnston Promotional videos Zuzanna Lis Elliot Newmarch Ian Roberts Andrea Stovreide

Festival Film Crew Amy Baker Kate Barker Alex Bastow Jennifer Biedermann Joe Conyers Jodie Ellis Dan Grey George Heath Amy Jones Lilly Kristin Smørvik Katherine Marshall Dag Melbye David Mcentee Elliot Newmarch Sophie Pell Sophie Roberts Marius Satre Jack Smith Trish Somaiya Ingrid Stieng Andrea Stovreide Josh Walker Louise Wong Karl Wright Social Media Brooke Angus Pamela Balusheva Rhian Davis Maxime Lamblot Freya Lawrence Louise Wong Website Management Mathew Hampsey Dan Hudson Ed Johnson Cain Mackenzie

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Official Photographers Julian Benjamin Patrick Hogg Can Sengunes Karl Wright Entertainment Jake Gauntlett The Dead Freights Film reviewers Elaine Chapman Pilar Sanchez Barrera Pilar Xue Jiang Puntaree Thanachan Festival Researcher Katya Pichugina Digital Manger Josh Walker Hospitality The Black Hole No5 Bridge Street Door Management Jack Ashton Kate Barker Matt Keen Jordan Sclater

Special Mentions Paul Cater Alec Charles Kevin Gover Zuzanna Lis Lucy Mazdon Charlie Osman Ian Roberts

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Black tie award gala 48

Photo: Julianbenjamin.com

Photo: Julianbenjamin.com

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MAKE THE CUT Study film at the University of Winchester

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