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2024
2024 Programme
20 Feet From Stardom
Forum Cinema Hexham
Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. This Oscar winning documentary shines a spotlight on the backing singers – largely Black women – who were behind some of the great musical hits of the 21st century. Triumphant and heart-breaking in equal measure, the film reflects on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of the backing singer.
Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. This Oscar winning documentary shines a spotlight on the backing singers – largely Black women – who were behind some of the great musical hits of the 21st century. Triumphant and heart-breaking in equal measure, the film reflects on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of the backing singer.
The Animatrix
Forum Cinema Hexham
A collection of short animated films fuses computer graphics and Japanese anime to provide the background of the Matrix universe and the conflict between man and machines.
A collection of short animated films fuses computer graphics and Japanese anime to provide the background of the Matrix universe and the conflict between man and machines.
Around China with a Movie Camera
The Queen's Hall Arts Centre
From the bustling cosmopolitan streets of Shanghai to the picturesque canals of Hangzhou. Including what might be the oldest surviving film to be shot in China - unseen for over 115 years. Explore 50 years of Chinese history with an original score composed and performed live by artist duo SMLM.
Informed by Chinese and British heritage, SMLM will bring an exciting blend of Chinese classical instruments with experimental, operatic, electronic, grunge and folk music.
From the bustling cosmopolitan streets of Shanghai to the picturesque canals of Hangzhou. Including what might be the oldest surviving film to be shot in China - unseen for over 115 years. Explore 50 years of Chinese history with an original score composed and performed live by artist duo SMLM.
Informed by Chinese and British heritage, SMLM will bring an exciting blend of Chinese classical instruments with experimental, operatic, electronic, grunge and folk music.
The Beast
Forum Cinema Hexham
In the near future where emotions have become a threat, Gabrielle finally decides to purify her DNA in a machine that will immerse her in her past lives and rid her of any strong feelings. She then meets Louis and feels a powerful connection, as if she had known him forever.
In the near future where emotions have become a threat, Gabrielle finally decides to purify her DNA in a machine that will immerse her in her past lives and rid her of any strong feelings. She then meets Louis and feels a powerful connection, as if she had known him forever.
Best of British Transport Films
The Old Booking Hall, Haltwhistle
A selection from the BFI’s Best of British Transport Films.
Train Time examines the operation of what was then the busiest railway system in the world - British Railways, throughout a typical day and well into the night.
Snowdrift at Bleath Gill shows the rescue of a snowbound train that was stranded in the Westmorland Hills for four days in 1955.
In This is York we spend time with the Stationmaster who shows us something of the planning, hard work and human interest behind the scenes at a key point in the British railway system.
A selection from the BFI’s Best of British Transport Films.
Train Time examines the operation of what was then the busiest railway system in the world - British Railways, throughout a typical day and well into the night.
Snowdrift at Bleath Gill shows the rescue of a snowbound train that was stranded in the Westmorland Hills for four days in 1955.
In This is York we spend time with the Stationmaster who shows us something of the planning, hard work and human interest behind the scenes at a key point in the British railway system.
Billy Elliot
Newton & Bywell Community Hall
Set against the background of the 1984 Miners’ Strike, 11-year-old Billy Elliot stumbles out of the boxing ring and onto the ballet floor. He faces many trials and triumphs as he strives to conquer his family’s set ways, inner conflict, and learns to stand on his own toes.
Set against the background of the 1984 Miners’ Strike, 11-year-old Billy Elliot stumbles out of the boxing ring and onto the ballet floor. He faces many trials and triumphs as he strives to conquer his family’s set ways, inner conflict, and learns to stand on his own toes.
Blade Runner 2049
Forum Cinema Hexham
Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. K’s discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.
Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. K’s discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.
The Blue Caftan
The Wylam Institute
Mina and her husband Halim have built a careful life together running a traditional caftan store in old town Morocco, despite the open secret of Halim’s homosexuality. After a sudden illness and the arrival of a young apprentice, their perfect balance begins to shift.
Mina and her husband Halim have built a careful life together running a traditional caftan store in old town Morocco, despite the open secret of Halim’s homosexuality. After a sudden illness and the arrival of a young apprentice, their perfect balance begins to shift.
Brazil
Humshaugh Village Hall
Low-level bureaucrat Sam Lowry escapes the monotony of his day-to-day life through a recurring daydream of himself as a winged hero saving a beautiful damsel. Investigating a case that led to the wrongful arrest and eventual death of an innocent man, he meets the woman from his daydream, and in trying to help her gets caught in a web of mistaken identities, mindless bureaucracy and lies.
Low-level bureaucrat Sam Lowry escapes the monotony of his day-to-day life through a recurring daydream of himself as a winged hero saving a beautiful damsel. Investigating a case that led to the wrongful arrest and eventual death of an innocent man, he meets the woman from his daydream, and in trying to help her gets caught in a web of mistaken identities, mindless bureaucracy and lies.
Calamity Jane
Forum Cinema Hexham
Deadwood, South Dakota, is largely the abode of men, but sharp-shooter scout Calamity Jane is as hard-riding, boastful and handy with a gun as any. Jane’s wild promises set her off in search of a beautiful singer to grace the stage at the Golden Garter saloon.
Deadwood, South Dakota, is largely the abode of men, but sharp-shooter scout Calamity Jane is as hard-riding, boastful and handy with a gun as any. Jane’s wild promises set her off in search of a beautiful singer to grace the stage at the Golden Garter saloon.
Children of Men
Forum Cinema Hexham
Adapted from the dystopian novel of P.D James, this vision of the future sees a chaotic world in which humanity has mysteriously become infertile.
A former activist agrees to help transport a refugee that is miraculously pregnant across a broken Britain, to a hopeful sanctuary at sea.
Adapted from the dystopian novel of P.D James, this vision of the future sees a chaotic world in which humanity has mysteriously become infertile.
A former activist agrees to help transport a refugee that is miraculously pregnant across a broken Britain, to a hopeful sanctuary at sea.
Cinema Paradiso
Allendale Village Hall
A filmmaker recalls his childhood, when he fell in love with the movies at his village’s theatre and formed a deep friendship with the theatre’s projectionist. A celebration of youth, friendship and the everlasting magic of the movies.
A filmmaker recalls his childhood, when he fell in love with the movies at his village’s theatre and formed a deep friendship with the theatre’s projectionist. A celebration of youth, friendship and the everlasting magic of the movies.
Copa 71
Fuse Cinema Prudhoe
Told by the pioneering women who participated (including some Geordie legends), this is the extraordinary story of the 1971 Women's Soccer World Cup, a tournament witnessed by record crowds that has been written out of sporting history - until now.
Told by the pioneering women who participated (including some Geordie legends), this is the extraordinary story of the 1971 Women's Soccer World Cup, a tournament witnessed by record crowds that has been written out of sporting history - until now.
The Day the Earth Caught Fire
Tarset Village Hall
When the USA and Russia simultaneously test nuclear devices, the earth is knocked off its axis and set on a collision course with the sun. Hysterical panic ensues and it’s up to a washed up British reporter to break the story, expose the government conspiracy and save the world.
When the USA and Russia simultaneously test nuclear devices, the earth is knocked off its axis and set on a collision course with the sun. Hysterical panic ensues and it’s up to a washed up British reporter to break the story, expose the government conspiracy and save the world.
District 9
Ye Olde Cross Inn, Ryton
A giant extra-terrestrial spaceship arrives and hovers over the South African city of Johannesburg. An investigation team finds over a million malnourished aliens inside. The government, unconcerned with the aliens’ welfare but willing to do anything to master their advanced technology, relocate them to a camp called District 9.
A giant extra-terrestrial spaceship arrives and hovers over the South African city of Johannesburg. An investigation team finds over a million malnourished aliens inside. The government, unconcerned with the aliens’ welfare but willing to do anything to master their advanced technology, relocate them to a camp called District 9.
Donnie Darko
Tyneside Cinema
Fifteen years before Stranger Things combined science-fiction, Spielberg-ian touches and 80s nostalgia to much acclaim, Richard Kelly set the template and the high-water mark with his debut feature, Donnie Darko. Initially beset with distribution problems, it would slowly find its audience and emerge as arguably the first cult classic of the new millennium.
Donnie is a troubled high school student: in therapy, prone to sleepwalking and in possession of an imaginary friend, a six-foot rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world is going to end in 28 days 06 hours 42 minutes and 12 seconds.
Fifteen years before Stranger Things combined science-fiction, Spielberg-ian touches and 80s nostalgia to much acclaim, Richard Kelly set the template and the high-water mark with his debut feature, Donnie Darko. Initially beset with distribution problems, it would slowly find its audience and emerge as arguably the first cult classic of the new millennium.
Donnie is a troubled high school student: in therapy, prone to sleepwalking and in possession of an imaginary friend, a six-foot rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world is going to end in 28 days 06 hours 42 minutes and 12 seconds.
Faces Places
The Hearth Arts Centre
Director Agnes Varda, the Godmother of the French New Wave, embarks on a journey across rural France with fellow artist JR. Together they create murals of the locals they meet. A funny and heart-warming insight into the power of community, collaboration and friendship.
Director Agnes Varda, the Godmother of the French New Wave, embarks on a journey across rural France with fellow artist JR. Together they create murals of the locals they meet. A funny and heart-warming insight into the power of community, collaboration and friendship.
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Moot Hall Hexham
Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee star in this Hammer Horror based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s gothic Sherlock mystery. The imitable detective investigates a family curse and a strange howling on the moors.
We celebrate the 65th anniversary of the film with a special screening in the Moot Hall.
Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee star in this Hammer Horror based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s gothic Sherlock mystery. The imitable detective investigates a family curse and a strange howling on the moors.
We celebrate the 65th anniversary of the film with a special screening in the Moot Hall.
If Only I Could Hibernate
Forum Cinema Hexham
Ulzii, a teenager from a poor neighbourhood in Ulaanbaatar, is determined to win a sciences-physics competition to get a scholarship. His illiterate mother finds a job in the countryside, leaving him and his brother and sister in the middle of winter. Ulzii wanders around at night looking for things to burn for heat while preparing for the national competition.
Ulzii, a teenager from a poor neighbourhood in Ulaanbaatar, is determined to win a sciences-physics competition to get a scholarship. His illiterate mother finds a job in the countryside, leaving him and his brother and sister in the middle of winter. Ulzii wanders around at night looking for things to burn for heat while preparing for the national competition.
The Imitation Game
Slaley Commemoration Hall
Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, as he leads a team of mathematicians during the darkest days of World War II to break the German’s notorious Enigma code.
Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, as he leads a team of mathematicians during the darkest days of World War II to break the German’s notorious Enigma code.
The Iron Giant
Forum Cinema Hexham
In the small town of Rockwell, Maine in October 1957, a giant metal machine befriends a nine-year-old boy and ultimately finds its humanity by unselfishly saving people from their own fears and prejudices.
In the small town of Rockwell, Maine in October 1957, a giant metal machine befriends a nine-year-old boy and ultimately finds its humanity by unselfishly saving people from their own fears and prejudices.
Nature Matters
The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre
Brought to you by the Yorkshire and North East Film Archives, and happening in the picturesque setting of The Sill. This screening will give you the rare opportunity to explore the region's relationship to nature through around 120 years of archive film.
The film shows will be presented by Martha Cattell from the North East Film Archive who will take you on a journey through the film archives, exploring different environmental stories of the North East and Yorkshire including from the local Northumberland area. You will see themes that traverse time: from weather, wildlife, travel and activism.
This screenings is part of the Yorkshire and North East Film Archives 'Nature Matters' project which is supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Brought to you by the Yorkshire and North East Film Archives, and happening in the picturesque setting of The Sill. This screening will give you the rare opportunity to explore the region's relationship to nature through around 120 years of archive film.
The film shows will be presented by Martha Cattell from the North East Film Archive who will take you on a journey through the film archives, exploring different environmental stories of the North East and Yorkshire including from the local Northumberland area. You will see themes that traverse time: from weather, wildlife, travel and activism.
This screenings is part of the Yorkshire and North East Film Archives 'Nature Matters' project which is supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Old Oak
Forum Books Corbridge
As one of the only remaining public spaces for the community to meet, The Old Oak is a special place to the working class community of County Durham. Tensions in the town rise when the pub becomes contested territory after the sudden arrival of Syrian refugees. But when a friendship begins between the pubs landlord and a curious young Syrian Yara, the pair look for a way to bring the two communities together.
As one of the only remaining public spaces for the community to meet, The Old Oak is a special place to the working class community of County Durham. Tensions in the town rise when the pub becomes contested territory after the sudden arrival of Syrian refugees. But when a friendship begins between the pubs landlord and a curious young Syrian Yara, the pair look for a way to bring the two communities together.
Oliver!
Ovingham Reading Room
Musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist. A classic tale of the orphan Oliver, who runs away from the workhouse and falls in with a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly criminal mentor in 1830s London.
Musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist. A classic tale of the orphan Oliver, who runs away from the workhouse and falls in with a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly criminal mentor in 1830s London.
Otto Baxter: Not a F***ing Horror Story & Puppet Asylum
Forum Cinema Hexham
Otto Baxter is 35 years old and living with Down Syndrome. For the past six years he’s been writing and directing a foul-mouthed, autobiographical comedy-horror-musical set in Victorian London. We follow his creative process in the documentary and enjoy his unique vision in the following short, The Puppet Asylum.
Otto Baxter is 35 years old and living with Down Syndrome. For the past six years he’s been writing and directing a foul-mouthed, autobiographical comedy-horror-musical set in Victorian London. We follow his creative process in the documentary and enjoy his unique vision in the following short, The Puppet Asylum.
Previous Festivals
2019
2020
2022
2023
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