Closing Gala:
Opening Gala:
LONDON HEIST Odeon Cinema / Thursday 26th May / 8pm (Doors open 7.30pm) £25 (inc. Black Tie pre-film reception, from 6.30pm, and after show party) We are thrilled to present the World Premiere of this riveting, fast-paced thriller. Jack Cregan, career criminal, family man and vicious armed robber, is on a mission for revenge. When his father, Alfie, is brutally murdered and their money from a Heathrow airport heist is stolen, Jack, his cousin Sammy and gang members Eddie and Frank, realise there is more to the stolen money and Alfie’s murder than meets the eye. And once Jack begins to dig, he knows that his life will never be the same again. The shattering revelations that follow force Jack, with the clock ticking, to not only pull off one last, dangerous robbery, but also to exact brutal revenge on all those involved. Set against the backdrop of the gritty streets of London and Marbella’s hedonistic glamour on Spain’s seductive Costa del Sol, London Heist is a gripping revenge thriller along the lines of Point Blank meets Heat.
We are delighted that lead actor Craig Fairbrass will be joining us for this screening Also showiNG: MIDNIGHT OF MY LIFE Steve Marriott is one of the British music scene’s greatest vocalists. It’s July 1985, and while rock’n’roll’s great and good are strutting their stuff at Wembley, Steve is propping up the bar of a dingy pub in Putney, waiting to play to a small crowd of boozers. While he waits for the rest of his band, bitter and drunk, an encounter with a young revival Mod restores his faith. This heart-felt film is a poignant study of talent, ageing and what success means. Director Phil Davis (who joined us in 2013 as the lead actor in Borrowed Time) will introduce this screening
The Victoria Southend, Genting Club Westcliff, Visit Southend, BTMK Solicitors and Park Inn by Radisson Palace Hotel Southend-on-Sea have kindly sponsored our Opening Gala.
UNDER THE RADAR: THE MIKE EDMONDS STORY Park Inn Palace Hotel / Monday 30th May / 8.30pm / £5 UK : 60mins : 2016 : Certificate ‘U’ We are delighted to present the World Premiere of this wonderful documentary about one of Southend’s favourite sons. Since getting his first break in Ken Loach’s Black Jack (1979), Mike Edmonds has stolen scenes in some of cinema’s biggest films (Time Bandits, Return of the Jedi, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Harry Potter and more) and worked extensively in theatre, TV and radio. A true “actor’s actor” who’s also a huge hit with fans, he’s met the challenges imposed by achondroplasia (or dwarfism) with his immense talent and a true dedication to the craft. This fascinating and warm-hearted documentary follows Mike from his early life in rural Essex (and dreams of joining the circus) to a life-changing decision to answer an advert for “midgets” in ‘The Stage’. The career that followed has been truly remarkable. Along with his fine acting skills, Mike’s athleticism, endurance and sheer good humour have made him a favourite of countless cast members, directors and crew. Told in Mike’s own words, and with a memorable selection
of clips, photos and stylised animation, Under The Radar includes contributions from an army of friends and collaborators including Terry Gilliam, Star Wars producer Robert Watts, actors Danny John Jules, Arti Shah and Jeremy “Boba Fett” Bulloch. We are delighted that Mike Edmonds and director Simon Frith will join us to introduce the screening and take part in a Q&A afterwards. Also showiNG: ACROSS THE SEA On a bus in London, a boy steals a phone from a young mother. After browsing its contents, he becomes curious, and begins to follow her. But what are his intentions and where will this obsession lead? Director Kelly Robinson will introduce this screening AND: LE CHEF World Premiere. An Englishman pretending to be a qualified French chef…can prove to be disastrous! Introduced by director Alexander Abineri
Grosvenor Casino Southend has kindly sponsored our Closing Gala. Following the screening, ticket holders are cordially invited to an after-show reception at Grosvenor Casino.