Name: Birmingham Film Festival
Address: GB

THIS YEAR'S PROGRAMME

WINNERS & PHOTOS 2024

Birmingham Film Festival

5. magnificent films

Birmingham Film Festival

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Welcome to Birmingham!

2024 FESTIVAL: 6th - 17th November

The Birmingham Film Festival is a 10-day international film celebration showcasing professional and independent films from around the world, comprising of a wide range of genres, styles, budgets and topics, all shown in our spectacular 350-seat auditorium.

Over 5,500 guests are expected through the doors at our events, making the Birmingham Film Festival the largest film and media event in the West Midlands.

Films are screened to the public during the festival on our main screen and are FREE to attend.

The best films are nominated for a range of awards, of which there are over 30 categories, including young filmmakers, local filmmakers and international filmmakers. The films deemed to be the very best in their category then receive their awards at the Festival’s glamorous, star-studded showpiece, the Gala Awards Dinner.

The festival also includes seminars and workshops, presented and hosted by high-profile industry experts and professionals.

Now in the NINETH year, the 2023 festival received over 1,000 entries, screened over 200 films and the sell-out Gala Awards Dinner was attended by over 300 guests. We are already on course to exceed those numbers in 2024.

Screenings

The heart of any festival is of course the films and we show over 200 of them.

With 350 seats available and screenings free to attend, there is nowhere better to be for movie goers!

Q&As

Directors, producer and cast members are invited to share their experiences following the screening of their films, giving audiences and delegates a chance to gain an insight into films shown at the festival.

Workshops and Seminars

Learn essential film and media skills from industry professionals across a range of subjects. Gain the knowledge and experience to further your career. Our delegates are given access to a wealth of knowledge and opportunity.

Networking

An opportunity to meet and interact with a wide range of film and media industry professionals.

A fun and informal social environment but with plenty to get excited about.

GALA AWARDS

The festival culminates with our huge celebration of not just the best films but all those who have created and contributed to the year's event. A glamorous and style way to bring a fantastic week to an end.

AWARDS

We have a range of awards given to the films considered best in various categories. We celebrate every aspect of film and screen production. Our committee selects the films to show and our Grand Jury pick the winners, which we announce at our Awards Gala.

At the Awards Gala you can join us as we celebrate the amazing work and films from the festival. A great way to end a great week!

official award categories 2024

BFF Bull Award
Best Film in Festival

Best Feature Film

Best Short Film

Best Micro Short Film (Under 5 minutes)

Best Documentary

Best Screenplay - Feature Film

Best Screenplay - Short Film /TV

Best Music Video

Best Animated Film

Best TV Pilot

Best Fan Film

Best Male Actor

Best Female Actor

Best Ensemble Cast

Best Cinematography

Best First Time Filmmaker

Best Online Content

Best Student Filmmaker

Festival Favourite
Chosen by the committee and festival directors as the film they most enjoyed

Best Horror Film
Short or Feature

Best Costume

Best Editing

Best Hair & Make Up

Best Production Design

Best Stunts or Choreography

Best Young Film Maker (under 18)

Best Young Male Actor (under 18)

Best Young Female Actor (under 18)

Best Local Film
Midlands based production, theme or cast and crew.

Best International Film
Produced outside the UK.

Best Original Score
Music created for your film specifically.

Best Sound Design

Best Special Effects
Digital or practical.

Audience Vote Award

THE TEAM

Founders

DEAN WILLIAMS - CEO

As a producer, performer and actor, Dean has over 80 credits to his name in his 15 year career.

KEVIN MCDONAGH - PRESIDENT

Writer/director, with 25 years of experience, including feature films, television and music videos.

Patrons

STEVEN KNIGHT

Birmingham born screenwriter and film director. Creator of "Peaky Blinders", writer of "Allied" and "Serenity".

TREVOR BEATTIE

Producer of "Moon" and "Spitfire" and founding partner, chairman and creative director of Beattie McGuinness Bungay (BMB). Formerly the chairman and creative director of TBWA London.

Ambassadors

SINDY CAMPBELL

Film Birmingham.

Sindy was among the very first people within the city to get behind the festival and help establish it. Her guidance and support has been fundamental to the festival's success.

JON PEGG

Multi award winning writer and director.

Jon's support of the BFF from day one meant he was an ambassador well before we made it official.

Dr. NEIL HILLMAN - MPSE

Dr. Neil Hillman is a sound designer and editor, notable for his work on the Oscar-winning film Lincoln, Pirate's of the Caribbean and Line of Duty.

The Crew

JOE CAPELLA
Liaison

Joe is a trained actor with 24 years experience in events and entertainment.
He's a real people person!

PHILLIPE ASHFIELD

Producer and Talent Rep, working to devlop shows that promote inclusivity and opportunities for all.
In house producer at Scarlett Johansson's "Akula Films" production company.

PERDITA LAWTON
Business liaison
"Voice of God"

Midlands based actress with extensive experience in commercial production and project. Perdy is the heart of our media business relationships and voices the festival announcements.
with

PAUL ANGIER
Exhibition Manager

Paul has a career in film stretching over 30 years and has been the head of our exhibition team since 2018.

LAUREN SIMMONDS
Team Leader

Since 2019, actress, writer and effects designer Lauren has been part of the festival. Her behind the scenes efforts are what keep the whole show running.

ANNA PIGGOT-REEVES
Student Liasion

Producer, Director and Actor Anna joined the team in 2021 and has been indispensable. Not only producing and starring in many films but helping to encourage and support filmmakers, especially our student entrants int heir careers

KITTY HARPER
Partnership Manager

An award winning writer and director in her own right, Kitty is the festival's senior manager for partnerships, which the festival relies on immensely, and has helped our family grow.

FREYA RICHARDSON
Events Co-ordinator

Freya is recent graduate of Falmouth University and has joined the team to help ensure we deliver incredible events for our guests. She's been a huge asset and contributed a huge amount in a short time.

GRAND JURY

ANTHONY WALDRON

Birmingham born BAFTA winning producer / director / writer.
Anthony has 15 years experience producing television for Channel 4, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, The Travel Channel and many more.

JOANNA QUINN

Birmingham born, multi award-winning director and animator of films including Affairs of the Art and Dreams and Desires.
Emmy and Bafta winner and Academy Award Nominee.

ALAN SHARMAN

A world renowned fashion, commercial and talent agent, based in the heart of Birmingham, who has shown us great support and generosity. A huge thank you to Alan and the entire team at The Alan Sharman Agency.

LAUREN PIZZICAROLI

Canadian screenwriter and script consultant now residing in the UK, is the CEO and Founder of Source Script Consulting. She also works as Executive Assistant for The Film Festival Doctor, the award-winning festival strategy consultancy service. In addition to her work experience, Lauren has served as a jury member for BIFA, BAFTA, and Canadian Screen Award qualifying festivals.

LUKE RUFO

Shooting producer for ITV, with 15 years experience working in TV documentaries and fiction. Luke is an award winning director and has worked in the UK and Europe for various production companies, making television for several media channels.

NICK BARTLETT

Nick studied at the Bath School of Art and Design, where his award winning portfolio landed him a job as a CG artist at a renowned post house, providing him a strong technical background from which to make the leap into directing.

LORETTA PREECE

A multi-award winning series producer, with 20 years of program making experience as an exec/series producer, writer, story producer, script producer and development exec on shows such as Sister Boniface, Casualty, Doctors, Belonging and The Coroner.

MICHAEL B. CLIFFORD

BAFTA award winning film director, working in drama and documentary..
Michael's latest drama Bardo – A Rogue & Peasant Slave is now on the festival circuit.

KIA PEGG

Kia is an English actress and presenter of CBBCs Saturday Mash Up. Kia is best known for her role as Jody Jackson in British children's drama show Tracy Beaker Returns and its follow-up The Dumping Ground and Scarlett Kiernan on Doctors.

DAMIAN GALLAGHER

Damian is a Birmingham born writer, actor and producer. He worked in film production, for producer David Ladd (Hart's War) and alongside David's brother, Oscar winning producer Alan Ladd Jr. (Braveheart).
He worked as part of the script development team, providing coverage on screenplays for the producers.

DAVID BEAUMONT

David has worked in the media industry for nearly 20 years. He has over a hundred cinematography credits and has produced four feature films, and now directs for UK and US television..

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

MAgnificent Films at the Birmingham Film Festival

FESTIVAL PARTNERS

SHOP

EMAIL:

General Enquiries: info@birminghamfilmfestival.com

Exhibition Enquiries: info@birminghamfilmfestival.com

Seminar and Event Office: events@birminghamfilmfestival.com

TIKTOK: @bhamfilmfest

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/birminghamfilmfestival

INSTAGRAM: @bhamfilmfest

PRESS PASSES

Members of the press are invited to apply for a press pass to attend the event. This provides access to all screenings and networking events, as well as the Gala Awards.

To apply for a press pass please contact us via the following link.

SUBMIT

Screenings

A fun and informal social environment but with plenty to get excited about.

​

GALA AWARDS

The festival culminates with our huge celebration of not just the best films but all those who have created and contributed to the year's event. A glamorous and style way to bring a fantastic week to an end.

SINDY CAMPBELL Film Birmingham. Sindy was among the very first people within the city to get behind the festival and help establish it. Her guidance and support has been fundamental to the festival's success.

JON PEGG Multi award winning writer and director. Jon's support of the BFF from day one meant he was an ambassador well before we made it official.

Dr. NEIL HILLMAN - MPSE Dr. Neil Hillman is a sound designer and editor, notable for his work on the Oscar-winning film Lincoln, Pirate's of the Caribbean and Line of Duty.

JOE CAPELLA Liaison Joe is a trained actor with 24 years experience in events and entertainment. He's a real people person!

PHILLIPE ASHFIELD Producer and Talent Rep, working to devlop shows that promote inclusivity and opportunities for all. In house producer at Scarlett Johansson's "Akula Films" production company.

PERDITA LAWTON Business liaison "Voice of God" Midlands based actress with extensive experience in commercial production and project. Perdy is the heart of our media business relationships and voices the festival announcements. with

PAUL ANGIER Exhibition Manager Paul has a career in film stretching over 30 years and has been the head of our exhibition team since 2018.

LAUREN SIMMONDS Team Leader Since 2019, actress, writer and effects designer Lauren has been part of the festival. Her behind the scenes efforts are what keep the whole show running.

ANNA PIGGOT-REEVES Student Liasion Producer, Director and Actor Anna joined the team in 2021 and has been indispensable. Not only producing and starring in many films but helping to encourage and support filmmakers, especially our student entrants int heir careers

KITTY HARPER Partnership Manager An award winning writer and director in her own right, Kitty is the festival's senior manager for partnerships, which the festival relies on immensely, and has helped our family grow.

FREYA RICHARDSON Events Co-ordinator Freya is recent graduate of Falmouth University and has joined the team to help ensure we deliver incredible events for our guests. She's been a huge asset and contributed a huge amount in a short time.

ANTHONY WALDRON Birmingham born BAFTA winning producer / director / writer. Anthony has 15 years experience producing television for Channel 4, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, The Travel Channel and many more.

JOANNA QUINN Birmingham born, multi award-winning director and animator of films including Affairs of the Art and Dreams and Desires. Emmy and Bafta winner and Academy Award Nominee.

ALAN SHARMAN A world renowned fashion, commercial and talent agent, based in the heart of Birmingham, who has shown us great support and generosity. A huge thank you to Alan and the entire team at The Alan Sharman Agency.

LUKE RUFO Shooting producer for ITV, with 15 years experience working in TV documentaries and fiction. Luke is an award winning director and has worked in the UK and Europe for various production companies, making television for several media channels.

NICK BARTLETT Nick studied at the Bath School of Art and Design, where his award winning portfolio landed him a job as a CG artist at a renowned post house, providing him a strong technical background from which to make the leap into directing.

LORETTA PREECE A multi-award winning series producer, with 20 years of program making experience as an exec/series producer, writer, story producer, script producer and development exec on shows such as Sister Boniface, Casualty, Doctors, Belonging and The Coroner.

MICHAEL B. CLIFFORD BAFTA award winning film director, working in drama and documentary.. Michael's latest drama Bardo – A Rogue & Peasant Slave is now on the festival circuit.

KIA PEGG Kia is an English actress and presenter of CBBCs Saturday Mash Up. Kia is best known for her role as Jody Jackson in British children's drama show Tracy Beaker Returns and its follow-up The Dumping Ground and Scarlett Kiernan on Doctors.

DAVID BEAUMONT David has worked in the media industry for nearly 20 years. He has over a hundred cinematography credits and has produced four feature films, and now directs for UK and US television..