With another year almost over, the festive period can sometimes be followed by an inevitable sense of melancholy. Fear not though, as the city offers some exciting film-related opportunities this January for those looking to be inspired and to develop their creative skills. As well as Oscar season approaching and cinemas bursting with an array of fantastic, award-nominated films, there is also an emphasis this month on filmmaking support, advice and skills development for you to begin your year with.
HOME presents a film season showcasing legendary, Oscar-winning, Sale-born screenwriter Robert Bolt’s seminal work including Lawrence of Arabia, Dr Zhivago and The Mission. There will also be a One Hour Introduction on Sunday 5 January.
Make A Scene and Live Cinema UK present a unique and interactive Cabaret screening experience with live performances, singing, dancing, audience participation, cocktails and new renditions of classic songs from Bob Fosse’s groundbreaking, cult hit.
This course is led by Xavier Aldana Reyes, Reader in English Literature and Film at MMU. It will explore how Gothic cinema differs from horror and also delve deep into the history of the subgenre, including its origins in 1920-30’s Monster cinema, 1940’s Female Gothic, animation, gothic superheroes, gothic 1950’s period films and postmodern influences in films by Tim Burton. This course is for beginners and includes six sessions and two screenings including Son of Frankenstein and La maschera del demonio.
Push Festival is a celebration of the North West’s creative talents. The festival showcases the best work on screen, stage and in galleries from the regions most talented makers. There’s also an eclectic mix of workshops, discussions and meet ups for creatives to network with industry professionals and develop their careers and skill sets. Some interesting events in the festival include Getting to Grips with the BFI Short Film Fund Application, Writing for Fundraising and see below for more detailed top picks.
See one of the most loved and greatest spoof comedies of all time. David and Jerry Zucker’s and Jim Abrahams’ cult classic Airplane! Will be showing at the Vue Printworks with Our Screen so don’t miss your chance to see this witty masterpiece on the big screen. It still impressively stands up today with its unique mix of slapstick and quick-witted, outrageous comedy.
This event will showcase a programme of films that were shortlisted for the FHN Polaris Award at Aesthetica Film Festival 2019. It will feature works from the top emerging northern filmmaking talent that were part of the Aesthetica official selection. There will also be a Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.
In a sometimes solitary role, this is a unique opportunity for film producers to meet and connect with the northern film community to discuss how to create a better support network and to get to know each other. All film producers are welcome, whether you produce features or shorts. There will also be a panel discussion called The World According to Film Producers on Tuesday 28 January where you will get to hear more about the role of a film producer and in addition filmmakers, directors and writers will get the chance to learn about how to find the perfect producer for their films and ask professional producers questions after.
- Words:
- Ally Davies
- Published on:
- Thu 2 Jan 2020
Cultureplex’s boutique cinema Mini Cini has an eclectic programme of special previews, classics and new releases. Some absolute gems that they are screening in January include your chance to see again Sean Baker’s (Tangerine) The Florida Project, Bennie and Josh Safdie’s Good Time (alongside new one Uncut Gems), John Pilger’s The Dirty War on the National Health Service, Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch Drunk Love, Kogonada’s Columbus, Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita and Bruce Robinson’s Withnail and I. Head here for more Mini Cini picks.