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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.
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
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
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.
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