A city-based film festival which was born from an idea during the pandemic, took shape in lockdown and finally made its debut last year is to return for 2022, it has been announced.
The North East International Film Festival will take place around the North East in November for a second year, following the success of the inaugural event which opened its doors to film-makers worldwide. Local producer Lisa-Marie Tonelli, who founded and directs the festival, is delighted at its show of support which means it can gear up for another flood of film entries and fans are in for a fresh line-up of new and cutting-edge work.
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"As an entirely volunteer-led festival, what we have managed to achieve in little over a year has been astonishing," she says. "The NEIFF looks forward to again supporting a diverse range of films from local and British filmmakers to international auteurs and rising stars."
Lisa-Marie had wanted her first festival to help bring back the buzz of city life following the misery of 2020 and its four-day run last November saw submissions from all over the world for screenings - with the chance to win awards - and its final programme, billed as one of the most diverse, collaborative and inclusive in the world, featured more than 70 films from 15 countries across five continents.
They included Céline Sciamma’s acclaimed 2021 French fantasy drama Petite Maman and 2021 Sundance award-winner Son of Monarchs plus 20 independent features with Cinequest film festival's 2021 selections and more than 50 shorts. A submission was even made on on behalf of Sir Paul McCartney.
Among those taking part was Oscar-winning producer Julie Foy said praised the event's "integrity and love for creatives" and said: "The NEIFF is an iconic festival with the nicest, most genuine people." She added: "They are a force to be reckoned with."
Ahead of the second event, the festival has just obtained BIFA (British Independent Film Awards) qualifying status, becoming the youngest festival to earn it. It is to run a day longer this time - from November 14-20 - at venues across the North East, including Star & Shadow Cinema, Culture Lab and Everyman Cinema in Newcastle; Jam Jar Cinema and the Gala in Durham and Showcase De Lux Teesside.
With various partners on board, there will be an opening ceremony in Newcastle and also one in Teesside. Newcastle University and Northumbria University are two festival partners, with the former to be involved in a documentary filmmaking competition and the latter helping to deliver industry-related workshops.
A course will be on offer for 16 to 25-year-olds, who do not necessarily need to have filmmaking experience, and will include a week-long filmmaking workshop with industry professionals at Newcastle University. It then will culminate in a 48-hour period to be spent making a documentary for submission to the festival.
The opening ceremony in Newcastle will include a pre-screening party and the Teesside leg, where Showcase Cinema are festival partners, is set to be opened by the Mayor Of Middlesbrough, Andy Preston. Besides the film selections and screenings, North East International Film Festival will feature a networking event at ChachaBuchi in Newcastle; Q&A events and a Closing Gala at The Biscuit Factory where 25 awards will be handed out.
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