A new film festival bringing together North East filmmakers and international independent cinema is set to launch in Gateshead next summer.
The inaugural Gateshead International Film Festival (GIFF) will run from July 16 to 18, 2027, with screenings at venues including Vue Gateshead and workshops and industry panels at Gateway Studio on Gateshead High Street.
Organised by ANBOC Ltd – A New Breed of Cinema – the festival is being developed by filmmaker and programmer Catarina De Cèzanne, Gateshead-born actor and writer Steve Wraith and County Durham producer and filmmaker Neil Jackson.
They report more than 140 submissions from over 40 countries have already been received, although the programme itself is still to be selected.
Meanwhile North East filmmakers are being offered free entry to submit their work for consideration.
Alongside screenings, plans for the three-day event include Q&As, workshops, industry panels and networking sessions, as well as free outdoor screenings from a Festival Bus at Trinity Square. An opening reception is planned at Hilton Gateshead, with an awards ceremony at St Mary’s Heritage Centre.
Steve said: “The focus is on emerging and experienced filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences across our home region for a range of screenings, workshops and community events. We want to showcase fresh North East voices and talent alongside international independent cinema. The arena is open to everyone.”
The organisers are placing particular emphasis on giving emerging filmmakers opportunities to show their work and make industry connections, with selected filmmakers who attend also offered the chance to take part in a Q&A following their screening.
Catarina said: “As a filmmaker, I understand how important it is to have a space to express and share your art, find your tribe, connect with an audience and foster meaningful collaborations for future projects. I also understand how important it is to make it affordable, open and accessible for artists of all backgrounds and experiences.”
While next summer’s first edition will run for three days, the team behind GIFF says it has a five-year ambition to develop it into a week-long event and an annual fixture in the UK film festival calendar.
For more information, visit the Festival website. To submit a film for consideration, upload via Film Freeway