A Bahraini filmmaker is set to host a major film festival in London next month with around 50 films expected to be showcased at an iconic venue.
KM Studio director and Green Bee managing director Aziz Altamimi will be hosting the London Festival of Cinema at The Cavendish Arms on December 6 with a number of awards also to be presented on the day.
What started out as just a local affair in a city in the north of England has grown into a major event attracting a large number of international aspiring filmmakers.
“It started off as the Northern Festival of Cinema, held for the first time in Newcastle almost four years ago,” Mr Altamimi told the GDN. “We wanted a fun event where we could screen independent films and give recognition to local talent.
“Each year, it grew bigger and bigger until it eventually evolved into its modern iteration. London is the film capital of the UK, so to be able to not only host a film festival in the city, but also at one of its most iconic places in the industry, is incredible.”
Category
Ten 10 prizes are up for grabs including Best Short Film, Best Student Short Film, Best Short Animation, Best Music Video, Best Writing, Best Editing, Best Acting, Best Sound, Best Music and Best Directing.
Young filmmakers have to provide a valid ID alongside entries in order to be considered for the student category awards. Short films must be less than 45 minutes and entries must be in English or subtitled in English.
Multiple submissions and multiple category submissions are accepted and all entries must come before the deadline of December 4.
The event has grown in popularity over the years and has seen a growing number of entries. “Last year, we had more than 1,000 films submitted for consideration,” said Mr Altamimi. “This year, we already have more than that number and are expecting close to 2,000. Only 50 will be shortlisted.
“Submissions are still open to not just UK residents, but to everyone. In fact, we have received more foreign films than UK-based ones, and with a month and a half left, I hope to see even more.”
Mr Altamimi is aiming to bring a version of the festival to Bahrain early next year, with initial talks already taking place with the relevant government agencies.
“If we can bring the festival to Bahrain we can highlight some of the best talent the kingdom and the region has to offer,” he said. “We can also use some of the films from the London Festival of Cinema – movies that are appropriate for the kingdom or the ones that Bahraini audiences could connect with the most.
“It could also show off Bahrain’s potential on the big screen to the world and give local talent an opportunity to get their ‘Hollywood moment’.”
But London is still calling and filmmakers from across the region can submit their applications online at filmfreeway.com/LFOCinema.
The Cavendish Arms is a cherished venue adorned with vintage knick-knacks, hosting regular musicians, comedians and performers. The oldest known surviving film (from 1888) was shot in the United Kingdom as well as early colour films. While film production reached an all-time high in 1936, the ‘golden age’ of British cinema is usually thought to have occurred in the 1940s.
- For more information, visit the festival’s Instagram page @lfocinema.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))