Hollywood shines this spring at the Romford Film Festival.
The Romford Film Festival is about to make a return for the fourth year and this year the festival will be glitzier than ever. The festival runs from 6th to the 11th of May at Premiere Cinemas inside the Mercury Shopping Centre in Romford, this year increasing its running from 5 to 6 days.
While the festival is still very much championing local film with over 20 of the 120 movies having a direct tie with Romford, this now veteran film festival is getting a little more shine from Hollywood.
“We’ve got a number of big budget American films getting their UK premiere as part of this year’s festival, as well as so incredibly solid UK films that will also be seeing their first audiences. This year we have over 20 world premieres” says festival director Spencer Hawken.
“We are deeply moved by the level of quality attention we’ve received from foreign shores, a sure sign the festival is touching more places than just its local area”.
The festival has no set theme, which means it can show literally every type of movie, the key emphasis being about good quality and strong storytelling.
“Some of our judging panel have literally been moved to tears this year, which is a wonderful thing, because if professional movie watchers are moved, you know casual movie fans will be too.” Continues Hawken,
“The openness of film styles and genres allows you to really let go and all those previewing the films selected for this year’s festival, have been on a real emotional journey.”
The festivals launch night on the 6th of May begins with two hours of mixing and mingling with movie fans and filmmakers before sitting down to watch the comedy drama Kat and The Band starring Anna & The Apocalypse star Ella Hunt as a schoolgirl posing as a twenty something band manager, McFly star Dougie Poyter stars as Alex who puts all his trust in Kat. The film also features Badly Drawn Boy and Rufus Hound.
After the launch event there are 5 days of films starting each day at 10am with a full mix of genres each day until the awards ceremony on Monday 11th at 7.30pm.
Festival highlights include the award-winning Anna, which tells the story of a downtrodden Ukrainian Woman seeking love from a touring group of American men.
American Mirror: Intimations OF Immortality follows Oscar Winning Actress Susan Sarandon as she sits for a portrait and discusses perception of beauty in a social media age.
Local filmmaker Terry Coker’s Escape From Auschwitz follows two inmates plans to escape the notorious concentration camp.
Polybius brings a little 80’s vibe featuring actor Tom Atkins as a Sheriff investigating disturbing behaviours of children who’ve encountered a new videogame.
Powerless is a moving drama about a young girl forced to act as guardian to her younger brother who has a habit of treading over to the wrong side of the law. Alison Steadman and James Cosmo play a couple under siege by blue eyed assailants in Off Grid. A moody young man struggles with his sexuality, set against a stunning Canadian winter backdrop in That Is All.
A group of men investigate the true legend of John Duck without using the internet in The Butcher Baronet. While Deleted spends the final accommodated hours of a man facing eviction and looks at why his life went so badly wrong.
Cactus Boy shot by Romford local Chris Brake tells the story of a man who still hangs out with his imaginary friend from childhood; And Farside challenges a perception and the true reality of immigration from a war-torn country.
Day and weekend passes are currently available via Premiere Cinemas these cost £10 per day or £30 for an entire festival pass, individual sessions go on sale from April 1st priced £4 each. Keep up to date with the film schedule by visiting www.romfordfilmfestival.com
