PictureEast Film Festival Programme 2025

P‌ E FILM‌ I A FESTIVAL‌ S ‌ 2025 C ‌T

T U R E‌

Jan 30th - Feb 2nd 2025

PROGRAMME 1

C O M M U N I T Y

C I N E M A

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P‌ E FILM‌ I ‌A FESTIVAL‌ 2025 C ‌S ‌T

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pictureEast film festival 2025

CONTENTS foreword

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Welcome

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steering group

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the lost cinemas of east london

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opening gala: hard truths

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how to make millions before grandma dies

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on becoming a guinea fowl

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Kensuke’s kingdom

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the wild robot

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timeline

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all we imagine as light

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crossing

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green border

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the fire inside

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closing gala: girls will be girls

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Caribbean shorts

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young programmers shorts

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venue guide

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credits

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Plan your festival

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pictureEast film festival 2025

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.

Stratford East Picturehouse

Follow us! @NewhamCommunityCinema @Newham CommunityCinema @NewhamComCinema @curatedcomcinema @CuratedCommunitycinema 4

pictureEast film festival 2025

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.

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

book tickets below:

FILM‌ 5

FESTIVAL‌

Jan 30th - Feb 2nd 2025

pictureEast film festival 2025

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.

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.

P‌ICTURE‌ EAST 6

pictureEast film festival 2025

albert cinema

stratford picturehouse

boelyn cinema

showcase cinema beckton

the the lost lost cinemas cinemas of of east east london london A New Chapter with PictureEast 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.

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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.

Albert Cinema

Picturehouse Stratford East Cinema

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Boleyn Cinema

pictureEast film festival 2025

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.

opening gala + preview 9

pictureEast film festival 2025

how how to to make make millions millions before before grandma grandma dies dies

+ Q&A

cert: 12a

dur: 2hr 7m

dir: Pat Boonnitipat Cast: Putthipong Assaratanakul, Usha Seamkhum, Sanya Kunakorn

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 10

pictureEast film festival 2025

on on becoming becoming a a guinea guinea fowl 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 11

pictureEast film festival 2025

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 12

pictureEast film festival 2025

family friendly

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 13

pictureEast film festival 2025

TIMELINE:

THURSDAY 30 JAN - SUNDAY 2 FEB THURSDAY 30 JANUARY opening gala + preview

7:30 PM

hard truths

+ panel

everyman stratford international

FRIDAY 31 JANUARY 4:00 PM

how to make millions before grandma dies + Q&A stratford library

5:30 PM

young programmers shorts the source (formerly stratford youth zone)

7:00 PM

on becoming a guinea fowl + Panel ucl east cinema

SATURDAY 01 FEBRUARY 11:00 AM

kensuke’s kingdom +

1:30 PM

Caribbean shorts good hotel

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pictureEast film festival 2025

2:00 PM

the wild robot + story builder’s session

discover children’s story centre

4:00 PM

all we imagine as light + panel

ucl east cinema

7:30 PM

crossing + panel

st john’s community centre

SUNDAY 02 FEBRUARY 2:00 PM

green border + Q&A beckton community centre

preview

4:00 PM

the fire inside + panel ucl east cinema

closing gala

7:00 PM

girls will be girls + panel

good hotel

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pictureEast film festival 2025

all we imagine as light + 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

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pictureEast film festival 2025

crossing cert: 12a

+ panel

dur: 1h 49m

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.

SATURDAY 01 febRUary - 7:30pm st john’s commUNITY centre 17

pictureEast film festival 2025

green border cert: 15

dur: 1hr 58m

+ Q&A

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 18

pictureEast film festival 2025

preview

the fire inside

+ panel

cert: 12a

dur: 1h 49m

dir: rachel morrison cast: Ryan Headley

Destiny,

Brian

Tyree

Henry,

Jazmin

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.

sunday 02 february - 4pm ucl east cinema 19

pictureEast film festival 2025

girls will be girls cert: 15

dur: 1hr 58m

dir: Shuchi Talati 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 20

Shaping the future of UK documentary together Owned and run by and for its members, the Documentary Film Council (DFC) is a new democratic umbrella organisation for the UK’s independent documentary film industry. Join today and let’s shape the future of documentary together.

Join us: DocumentaryFilmCouncil.co.uk @docfilmcouncil

SUPPORTINGEMERGING DOCUMENTARYTALENT The Whickers fund original and innovative documentary using the generous legacy of pioneering broadcaster Alan Whicker, to support emerging film and audio documentary makers across the globe.

Up to £150,000 available annually via the Film & TV, Radio & Audio Funding Awards and our new international bursary scheme. whickerawards.com @whickerawards

Image: Film & TV Award Winner 2020, Akuol de Mabior admiring her trophy

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pictureEast film festival 2025

Caribbean Caribbean shorts 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!

Only Child by Ibrahim K. Muhammad

Lloyd The Instructor by Donell Atkinson-Johnson

EVENT DETAILS DATE: Saturday 01 February TIME: 1pm VENUE: Good Hotel

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pictureEast film festival 2025

young young programmers programmers shorts 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)

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pictureEast film festival 2025

venue guide: everyman stratford international

Stratford library

Full Address: 4 Redman Place, Stratford Cross, E20 1JQ

Full Address: 3 The Grove, E15 1EL

Nearest tube station: Stratford: Central, DLR, Elizabeth and Jubilee Lines

Nearest tube station: Stratford: Central, DLR, Elizabeth and Jubilee Lines

Bus Routes: 97 and 388

Bus Routes: 69, 308 and 678

The source (stratford youth zone)

ucl east cinema

Full Address: Theatre Square, E15 1BX

Full Address: One Pool Street, 1 Pool Street, Stratford, E20 2AF

Nearest tube station: Stratford: Central, DLR, Elizabeth and Jubilee Lines Bus Routes: 25, 86, 104, 158, 238, 257, 262, 473, 678

Nearest tube station: Stratford: Central, DLR, Elizabeth, Jubilee and Overground lines.

Bus Routes: 108 and 339

good hotel

discover story centre

Full Address: Good Hotel, Royal Docks, E16 1FA

Full Address: 383-387 High St, E15 4QZ Nearest tube station: Stratford: Central, DLR, Elizabeth, Jubilee and Overground lines.

Nearest tube station: Royal Victoria Station: DLR Custom House: Elizabeth Line Canning Town: Jubilee Line

Bus Routes: 25, 86, 108, 425, D8, 257, 308, 104, 238, 241, 262, 158, 473, 276, UL1 and 69.

Bus Routes: 3, 95, 115, 291 and 330

beckton community centre

St John’s community centre (Formaly Royal Docks Learning & Activity Centre)

Full Address: 14 E Ham Manor Way, E6 5NG Nearest tube station: Cyprus: DLR

Full Address: Albert Rd, London E16 2JB Nearest tube station: Crossharbour: DLR

Bus Routes: 366, 376, 474 and 678

Bus Routes: 135, D6. D7 and D8 24

pictureEast film festival 2025

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:

C O M M U N I T Y

supporters:

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C I N E M A

pictureEast film festival 2025

plan your festival: friday:

thursday:

1st Film:

1st Film:

2nd film:

3rd film:

saturday:

sunday:

1st Film:

1st Film:

2nd 2nd film: film:

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3rd film:

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