Over 2000 entries from 82 countries around the world have been received by the Newcastle Film Festival, with one of the very first submissions coming from Durham. Local lad and film producer Hugo Nicholson from County Durham features in the film entered along with the ‘Skim for England Team’ who will be competing in the 2017 World Stone Skimming Championships on Easdale Island, Scotland. The North East features in a significant amount of the filming, with iconic features and talent from the region.
Jacqui-Miller Charlton MBE and President of the Newcastle Film Festival said “we never know what film entry we will get day to day and we are constantly surprised and delighted at the completely fascinating film entries we receive. We had absolutely no idea that there was a World Stone Skimming Championship so hopefully this will raise awareness of this sport; that no doubt most of us have tried in our lives. Of the entries we have received so far, around 242 are from the UK. If you are involved in making a film and want to enter please visit the website and submit your entry. The film festival is set to be a truly international celebration of films from across the world, including several world premieres, classics featuring cast and crew and new films from all genres of movies”.
The inaugural international Newcastle Film Festival was launched at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year and is set to take place over four days March 29th – April 1st 2018 with events taking place around the city and the region. With an impressive list of directors from around the world, winning entries can expect support and guidance from some of the most prolific and talented people in the industry www.newcastlefestival.co.uk.
The North East will play host to a series of exciting movie related events, from masterclasses to Q & A’s from legendary names from the silver screen. Winners of all categories will receive a Victorem Award at a star studded ceremony recognising film makers, actors and creative talent, covering all aspects of film, including Best Film and Best Actor. The directors of the festival include Kirsty Bell from Gosforth, Managing Director of Goldfinch Entertainment who has raised over 200 million pounds for the industry, Graeme Scott owner of Dover Street Entertainment who will hold the world premiere of documentary The Last Hope at the festival, renowned Geordie actor Craig Conway, producer and director TJ Gill, Jacqui Miller-Charlton, international actress Caroline Goodall who starred in Schindlers List and Australian director and television star Anu Sharma. Announcements are to be made imminently of a new director joining from the USA.