The Bolton International Film Festival returns for its eighth edition from Wednesday, 2 October to Sunday, 6 October. This BAFTA and BIFA accredited short film festival is set to showcase 300 short films, including 34 World premieres, 10 European premieres, and 61 National premieres, solidifying its reputation as one of the foremost events on the festival circuit.
Film enthusiasts can visit the Light Cinema in Bolton to witness the latest creations from some of the world’s most promising emerging filmmakers. Attendees will have the chance to participate in Q&A sessions with the filmmakers after each screening and engage with an industry programme featuring insights from highly respected figures in the film and television industry.
A highlight of this year’s festival is the return of Oscar winners Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton, presenting The Slick Films Pitch. In this live competition, five film teams will pitch their projects to a panel of industry experts for a chance to win a £10,000 prize. Additionally, an impressive line-up of speakers is set to take the stage, including BAFTA-nominated and Sundance-winning documentary filmmaker Sean McAllister, renowned editor Mick Audsley, producer Jack Thomas-O’Brien, and director Laura Carreira, among others.
This year’s festival promises to be a beacon for networking and learning, with the BFI Filmmaker Roundtable providing an opportunity to meet the BFI team and learn about funding and career development. Further industry sessions will feature film and television professionals like Amy O’Hara, Simon Nelson, Robin Shaw, and Gina Lyons, offering advice and sharing their experiences.
Actors featured in the films screening this year include Christopher Eccleston, Freddie Fox, Mia Mckenna, Louisa Connolly-Burnham, Sean Walsh, Jordan Stephen, Cormac Hyde-Corin, Tamzin Outhwaite, Isis Hainsworth, Brod Ní Neachtain, Emily Burnett, David Jonsson, and Sunil Patel. Local talent Michael Patrick Clarkson will also showcase his directorial debut, ‘Upholstergeist,’ a comedy/horror film.
Festival Director Adrian Barber remarked on the anticipation surrounding the event, noting the exceptional films lined up from around the world and highlighting the hard work it took to bring this year’s programme to fruition despite a challenging year for arts organisations. The event will feature selections from prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Berlinale, Sundance, SXSW, and Annecy, alongside numerous premieres starting their festival journey.
The Bolton International Film Festival continues to be a vital platform for showcasing emerging talent and celebrating the art of short filmmaking. With its diverse and impressive line-up, this year’s edition promises to offer an unparalleled cinematic experience.