AROUND twelve months ago, Hailsham film expert and ex-teacher, Gareth Jones suggested the town would benefit from a dedicated film festival. Soon after an initial meeting, plans began to do just that!
Also, as Chairman of the Hailsham Pavilion, Gareth argued that such an event would raise the profile of the building and help to secure its future which, like many similar venues in these challenging times, is far from certain.
The three-day Sussex International Film Festival is to run from 3-5th November and features a number of locally made films by local directors and will conclude with a short film competition which received more than 700 entries from all over the world. The judging panel is chaired by Oscar-winning Film Editor, Chris Dickens.
Chris is an ex-student and resident of Hailsham, and was awarded the Oscar Academy Award for editing Slumdog Millionaire and is one of the judges.
The panel is also joined by Simon Woodgate who also has close links to Hailsham and is a top composer and producer working in television. He has worked on a variety of different productions; from low-budget indie films, video games, to TV series like UEFA Champions League, Postman Pat and Gangs of London.
Gareth Jones said: “Initially, entry to the competition was free, and that, combined with the possibility of getting their films in front of an Oscar-winning film editor and a panel of professional judges, led to an explosion of interest.
This has meant many hours of sitting in darkened rooms with strong coffee watching the creative output of filmmakers from an incredible range of cultures and traditions as we slowly reduce the hundreds to a manageable amount for the screening of the semi-finalists and finalists on November 5th.
In fact, we have had so many marvellous pieces that we have decided to extend this aspect of the festival indefinitely and so, from January, we will be introducing the ‘Sunday Selections’.
These will provide opportunities for filmmakers whose entries didn’t fit our winning criteria, but whose work is important and remarkable, to have their films screened in our lovely auditorium and shared with a sympathetic and appreciative audience.
The journey so far has been eye-popping and energising and we really hope that you will want to join us in November.”
Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director William Nicholson has also joined the team as its Patron. William was nominated for best adapted screenplay for Shadowlands and also for Best original screenplay for Gladiator and he also directed Hope Gap, a film we are showing on the first evening of the festival.
The event is supporting Zylo Film school, a local organisation which works with young people introducing them to all aspects of filmmaking and will be opening the 2nd day with the screening of a selection of their best films.
Organisers are inviting submissions for the short film competition on November 5th and all the details can be found on the website www.sussexiff.co.uk.
November 3rd 2023 — Screenings of feature and short films made in Sussex. These are selected by the organisers.
November 4th 2023 — Screenings of feature and short films made by Sussex Filmmakers. These are selected by the organisers.
November 5th 2023 — Judged Short Film Competition. The panel will be chaired by Oscar-winning Film Editor, Chris Dickens.
To book tickets: www.hailshampavilion.co.uk.
