Jan30th-Feb2nd2025
FOREWORD
We are thrilled to introduce the inaugural PictureEast Film Festival, a vibrant celebration of cinema, community, and culture in Newham Building on the decade-long legacy of Newham Community Cinema, PictureEast continues to champion free, accessible film screenings and the power of shared cinematic experiences. This festival celebrates the diverse voices and stories that makes Newham unique Films connect us, fostering understanding and offering a glimpse into other worlds PictureEast invites everyone to come together and celebrate storytelling through cinema
This festival has been curated by local residents through our Steering Group, bringing you a fantastic mix of short and feature-length films that celebrate our community’s voices and dreams As we reignite Newham’s cinematic culture, we hope this festival becomes an annual tradition. Let’s revel in the magic of cinema together!
We are also pleased to have the esteemed Actor, Rapper and Newham local Kano as our patron for this festival
housekeeping
All screenings will begin at the time specified, there will be no trailers before screenings so please arrive at least 10 mins before to have a better chance of getting a seat Admission is on a first come, first served basis.
All films will be subtitled except for the Caribbean & Young Programmers Shorts
WELCOME
About PictureEast what to expect
PictureEast Film Festival is a free longweekender of films and cultural events from Thursday 30th January-Sunday 2nd February, the first iteration of what we expect will become an annual event for Newham Celebrating the borough’s diverse communities of all ages through film, we will provide a platform for local artists and filmmakers alongside established filmmakers The films have been chosen in collaboration with local residents through our steering groups
book tickets below:
The festival kicks off with Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths at the brand-new Everyman Stratford International Cinema, followed by more outstanding feature films, short film showcases, and thought-provoking panel discussions. Other highlights include a preview screening of The Fire Inside, a gripping Clarissa Shields biopic; All We Imagine As Light, a Golden Globe-nominated Indian drama; Caribbean Shorts; and a family screening at Discover Children’s Story Centre
PICTURE EAST FILM
steering group steering group
At the very core of PictureEast Film Festival lies the invaluable contribution of our Steering Group Comprising of passionate and dedicated individuals who all live, work or play in Newham, this group has been instrumental in shaping the festival every step of the way from its initial setup to programming, operational execution, and branding
This incredible team stems from our Newham Community Cinema initiative, representing long-standing members of our thriving local film community Their commitment and involvement have been a cornerstone of PictureEast’s development, ensuring the festival remains deeply rooted in the culture and tales of Newham
Supported by The New Black Film Collective and Film London, the Steering Group has worked to authentically capture the vibrant spirit of our borough Through monthly sessions, they’ve shared their lived experiences, cultural heritage, and creative ideas, enriching the festival with their unique perspectives and ensuring it resonates with the people it represents
PICTURE EAST
We are profoundly grateful to the Steering Group for their dedication, creativity, and passion for Newham’s culture and narratives Their hard work has shaped PictureEast into a festival that is not only a celebration of film but also a true reflection of the community that inspires it
picturehouse
A New Chapter with PictureEast the lost cinemas of east london the lost cinemas of east london
Newham has had its fair share of drama both fact and fiction over the years For decades, its cinemas were more than venues; they were vibrant cultural landmarks, buzzing with the energy of diverse communities coming together to be inspired From the glittering lights of Stratford Picturehouse to the vibrant colours of Boleyn Cinema, these spaces brought us joy and connection
But over time, these cherished cinemas have closed their doors, leaving East London’s cultural landscape quieter and with fewer places to gather and experience the big screen as a shared moment We are determined to bring this magic back to East London with the PictureEast Film Festival in Newham
We are here to relive the past and reignite the future of cinema in our borough. Newham, once home to a rich tapestry of screening venues, now faces a scarcity of spaces to experience arthouse and independent films This festival is a homage to the cinemas we ’ ve lost, a love letter to the communities they inspired, and a commitment to creating new memories and cinematic journeys
SHOWCASE BECKTON
Opened in 1997, Showcase Beckton was a sleek, modern cinema with its sweeping glass façade and iconic towers Nestled just off the A13, it quickly became a hub for East Londoners, offering everything from family blockbusters like The Lion King to epic franchises like Harry Potter Its sprawling grounds became a popular destination, home to restaurants and entertainment spots that made it a favourite for families and friends alike
When Showcase Beckton closed in 2022, it marked the end of an era The cinema was demolished to make way for an Amazon distribution depot, leaving many locals mourning the loss of a building that had brought so much joy.
STRATFORD EAST PICTUREHOUSE
Built in 1997 and praised for its minimalist, urban design, Stratford East Picturehouse was a cultural cornerstone in Stratford’s rapidly changing landscape It didn’t just show films; it showcased the diversity of cinema itself, from Oscar winners like TÁR to unique events like the UK Asian Film Festival and Sci-Fi London
For nearly 25 years, Stratford East Picturehouse gave East Londoners a space to explore both mainstream hits and hidden gems But in 2024, the cinema shut its doors, leaving a significant gap in Newham’s cultural scene For many, its loss wasn’t just the end of a cinema - it was the end of a meeting place, a home for the arts
Boleyn Cinema
The Boleyn Cinema carried over a century of history Originally opening as the Boleyn Electric Theatre in 1910, it was rebuilt in 1938 as an Art Deco marvel by architect Andrew Mather who also designed over 38 Odeon Cinemas in the UK including the Leicester Square branch Initially an Odeon cinema, it later became a beloved hub for Bollywood films, serving East London’s South Asian community with classics in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and more
From its charming posters to its warm, family-friendly atmosphere, the Boleyn Cinema was more than a venue - it was a cultural bridge. After decades of joy, it closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, leaving behind memories of packed houses and shared laughter
The Albert Cinema
One of East London’s earliest cinemas, The Albert Cinema opened in 1912 as the Sweetingham Cinema, just six years after the first feature-length film, The Story of the Kelly Gang, was shown in the UK As a silent film venue accompanied by music often by live orchestras and bands It became a beloved gathering place for working-class locals, offering live musical accompaniment to films, from pianists to full orchestras
Over the years, it became a cherished haunt for local working-class families, showing classics such as Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid (1921) Chaplin also had his own connection to East London, famously visiting nearby Canning Town in 1931 to meet Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, who was staying in the borough during his trip to London for the Round Table Conference
By the 1930s, as grander cinemas like Odeon took the spotlight, The Albert slowly faded It closed in 1938, but its legacy of community spirit and cinematic wonder lives on in stories passed down through generations
Rebuilding the Magic of Cinema with PictureEast Film Festival
The loss of these cinemas isn’t just about buildings; it’s about the memories we made in them, the family outings, celebrations and the moments of awe and inspiration With fewer options to experience the magic of cinema in East London, residents must travel far to find what they once had nearby
Through the PictureEast Film Festival, we aim to bring exciting and inspiring films back to Newham and beyond, honouring both the rich history of our lost cinemas and the bright future of storytelling on screen
This festival is more than a showcase of films It’s a revival of what we once had and a chance to create something even greater - a place where communities gather, folktales are shared, and memories are made Together, let’s bring quality cinema to our screens in East London
Boleyn Cinema Albert Cinema Picturehouse Stratford East Cinema
hard truths
THURSDAY 30TH JAN
7:30pm everyman stratford international
cert: 12a dur: 1hr 37m
dir: mike leigh
cast: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Michele Austin, David Webber
synopsis: Set in London, the plot follows the plight of depressed middle-aged woman Pansy and her relationship with her close ones, including the crumbling relationship with her jovial sister Chantelle, who is a polar opposite in terms of mood and the state of her other interpersonal relationships.
how to make millions before grandma dies
cert: 12a dur: 2hr 7m
Synopsis: A man, driven by his desire for a multi-million dollar inheritance, begins to care for his terminally ill grandmother. However, winning her favour will not be an easy task and he is not the only one with an eye on the money.
fridAY 31 january - 4pm stratford library
dir: Pat Boonnitipat
Cast: Putthipong Assaratanakul, Usha Seamkhum, Sanya Kunakorn
on becoming a guinea fowl on becoming a guinea fowl + panel
cert: 12a
dur: 1hr 35m
DiR: rungano nyoni
cast: Susan Chardy, Roy Chisha, Maggie Mulubwa
Synopsis: On an empty road in the middle of the night, Shula stumbles across the body of her uncle. As funeral proceedings begin around them, she and her cousins bring to light the buried secrets of their middle-class Zambian family.
friday 31 January - 7pm ucl east cinema
kensuke’s kingdom
family
friendly
cert: PG
dur: 1hr 25m
dir: neil boyle, kirk hendry cast: Aaron macgregor, cilian murphy and ken watanabe
Synopsis: A boy swept overboard during a storm on a worldwide sailing trip with his family washes ashore on an island in the Pacific Ocean. While there, he realises someone is nearby, aiding him with his survival.
saturday 01 february - 11am good hotel
the wild robot
cert: U dur: 1hr 42m
dir: Chris Sanders cast: Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor
Synopsis: Shipwrecked on a deserted island, a robot named Roz must learn to adapt to its new surroundings. Building relationships with the native animals, Roz soon develops a parental bond with an orphaned gosling. saturday 1 february - 2pm discover CHILDREN’S STORY centre
THURSDAY30JAN-SUNDAY2FEB
thesource(formerlystratfordyouthzone) young programmers shorts 5:30 PM ucleastcinema onbecominga guineafowl 7:00 PM everyman stratford international hardtruths +panel 7:30 PM
stratfordlibrary how to make millions before grandma dies +Q&A 4:00 PM
SATURDAY 01 FEBRUARY
THURSDAY 30 JANUARY kensuke’s kingdom + Caribbean shorts 11:00 AM goodhotel
FRIDAY 31 JANUARY +Panel openinggala+preview 1:30 PM
2:00 PM
+storybuilder’ssession
discover children’s story centre the wild robot
ucleastcinema all we imagine as light +panel 4:00 PM
stjohn’scommunitycentre crossing +panel 7:30 PM
SUNDAY 02 FEBRUARY
becktoncommunitycentre green border +Q&A 2:00 PM
ucleastcinema the fire inside +panel 4:00 PM
7:00 PM
good hotel girls will be girls
+panel
cert: 15 dur: 2h 3m
dir: Payal Kapadia
cast: Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam
Synopsis: Prabha, a nurse living in Mumbai, looks for a place in the city where Anu, her roommate, and her lover can finally make love. The two women travel to a coastal town that becomes a space of freedom for their desires.
saturday 01 february - 4pm UCL EAST CINEMA
crossing
cert:12a dur:1h49m
dir: Levan Akin
cast: Mzai Arabuli, Lucas Kankava, Deniz Dumanlı
Synopsis: Lia, a retired teacher, has promised to find her long-lost niece, Tekla. Her search takes her to Istanbul where she meets Evrim, a lawyer fighting for trans rights, and Tekla starts to feel closer than ever.
SATURDAY01febRUary-7:30pm
green border
cert: 15 dur: 1hr 58m
dir: Agnieszka Holland
cast: Jalal Altawil, Maja Ostaszewska, Behi Djanati Atai
Synopsis: A family of refugees from Syria, an English teacher from Afghanistan and a border guard all meet on the Polish-Belarusian border during the most recent humanitarian crisis in Belarus.
sunday 02 february - 2pm beckton community centre
the fire inside
cert: 12a dur: 1h 49m
dir: rachel morrison
cast: Ryan Destiny, Brian Tyree Henry, Jazmin Headley
sunday 02 february - 4pm ucl east cinema preview + panel
Synopsis: The story of Claressa 'T-Rex' Shields, a boxer from Flint, Michigan who trained to become the first woman in her country's history to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport.
girls will be girls
cert: 15
dir: Shuchi Talati
dur: 1hr 58m
cast: Preeti Panigrahi, Kesav Binoy Kiron and Kani Kusruti
closing gala
Synopsis: In a strict boarding school nestled in the Himalayas, 16-year-old Mira discovers desire and romance, but her rebellious sexual awakening is disrupted by her mother, who never got to come of age herself.
sunday 02 february - 7pm good hotel
Caribbean shorts Caribbean shorts
We are thrilled to present a wonderful selection of Caribbean short films, curated by the esteemed Tamera Heron—producer, writer, marketer, and founder of Cold Islanders, a UK community initiative dedicated to curating events for and with the Caribbean community These shorts celebrate the vibrant creativity of local Caribbean filmmakers in London, offering a moving and authentic showcase of culture, talent, and artistry Don’t miss this fantastic selection an inspiring celebration of real, beautiful talent screening right after Kensuke’s Kingdom at the Good Hotel.
Join us for an unforgettable journey through the narratives of our local British Caribbean community!
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Saturday 01 February
TIME: 1pm
VENUE: Good Hotel
Only Child by Ibrahim K Muhammad
Lloyd The Instructor by Donell Atkinson-Johnson
young programmers shorts young programmers shorts
We are thrilled to present the Young Programmers Shorts, a series of short films curated by the incredible young talents at The Source (formerly Stratford Youth Zone). These young programmers, aged 16-24, have been working alongside the festival team, learning every aspect of what it takes to put on a film festival from programming and film curation to PR, marketing, exhibition, and event management
As part of PictureEast’s mission to inspire and train the next generation of filmmakers and film exhibitors, our young programmers have been attending a series of five workshops held both online and in person across Newham. Their dedication, creativity, and passion for film have resulted in this impressive selection of shorts that represents our community in Newham. This showcase is not just about films it’s a testament to the power of storytelling, the importance of nurturing talent, and the ongoing growth of our local film community.
Don’t miss out on this inspiring collection and support the next generation of filmmakers and programmers in our beloved borough! Afterwards, be sure to join us for the screening of On Becoming A Guinea Fowl, at UCL East Cinema to round off the evening.
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: friday 31
january
TiME: 5:30 to 8:00 pm
VENUE: the source
(formerly stratford youth zone)
venue guide:
everyman stratford international
Full Address: 4 Redman Place, Stratford Cross, E20 1JQ
Nearest tube station: Stratford: Central, DLR, Elizabeth and Jubilee Lines
Bus Routes: 97 and 388
The source (stratford youth zone)
Full Address: Theatre Square, E15 1BX
Nearest tube station:
Stratford: Central, DLR, Elizabeth and Jubilee Lines
Bus Routes:
25, 86, 104, 158, 238, 257, 262, 473, 678
good hotel
Full Address: Good Hotel, Royal Docks, E16 1FA
Nearest tube station: Royal Victoria Station: DLR Custom House: Elizabeth Line Canning Town: Jubilee Line
Bus Routes: 3, 95, 115, 291 and 330
beckton community centre
Full Address: 14 E Ham Manor Way, E6 5NG
Nearest tube station: Cyprus: DLR
Bus Routes: 366, 376, 474 and 678
Stratford library
Full Address: 3 The Grove, E15 1EL
Nearest tube station: Stratford: Central, DLR, Elizabeth and Jubilee Lines
Bus Routes: 69, 308 and 678
ucl east cinema
Full Address: One Pool Street, 1 Pool Street, Stratford, E20 2AF
Nearest tube station: Stratford: Central, DLR, Elizabeth, Jubilee and Overground lines
Bus Routes: 108 and 339
discover
story centre
Full Address: 383-387 High St, E15 4QZ
Nearest tube station: Stratford: Central, DLR, Elizabeth, Jubilee and Overground lines
Bus Routes: 25, 86, 108, 425, D8, 257, 308, 104, 238, 241, 262, 158, 473, 276, UL1 and 69
St John’s community centre
(Formaly Royal Docks Learning & Activity Centre)
Full Address: Albert Rd, London E16 2JB
Nearest tube station: Crossharbour: DLR
Bus Routes: 135, D6 D7 and D8
credits:
PictureEast would like to thank our incredible Steering Group for all their hard work:
James Beckles, Safa Mehreen. Debbie Jones, Deborah Sewell, Fiona Robinson, Kwame Mante, Eunice Edwards, Sean Doyle, Sean Bennett, Comfort Moye, Darius Lacey, Marlon Kramer, Anya Kramer, Morgan Archer, Olusoga Taiwo Awoyungbo, Jitendra Vadher, Barbara Dandy, John Thomas Doyle, Rebecca Ogun, Natalie Ogene. Michelle Abbey, Pritty, Charlotte Jennings, Rachel Himbury, Sonia Quintero, Marley Irons, Sharleen Ferrol, Igoris Taran, Amina, Alaa Taha, Samantha Ulysses and Nandita Saha.
Additionally from The New Black Film Collective and Film London we would like to thank: Priscilla Igwe, Jasmine Bernard-Brooks, Andrina George, Moira McVean, Abel Holsborough, Joseph Vessey, Bruce Gatsi, Devi Vanalia, Safia Hamid, Talitha Godwina Divila and Maryam Jafari-Fini
organisers:
supporters:
plan your festival:
1st Film: 1st Film: 2nd film: thursday: saturday: friday: sunday: 3rd film:
2nd film:
2nd film: 1st Film: 1st Film: 2nd film:
3rd film: 3rd film:
