CHELTENHAM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – 2020
Honorary Patron – Simon Pegg
Cheltenham, now designated as “The Festival Town” in the UK, is synonymous with high profile festivals, starting with Performing Arts (1926), Music (1945), Literary (1949), Jazz (1996), Science (2002), Poetry (2011), Film (2019).
Through the decades, the world’s leading filmmakers, actors, musicians, writers, artists, poets and respected figures from politics, science and even astronauts have come to Cheltenham from Mike Leigh to Benedict Cumberbatch, from Dame Judy Dench to Bill Nighy, from Roger Daltrey to David Attenborough, from Prince Charles to Salman Rushdie, from Van Morrison to Russel Brand, from John Cooper Clarke to Hilary Clinton, from Monty Python star, Michael Palin to Bob Geldof and this year, former British Prime Minister, David Cameron, is coming to the Cheltenham Literature Festival.
In 2019, the film festival attracted emerging and celebrated filmmakers. Among the attendees were Mike Leigh, to whom we paid tribute; famed theatre director, Josie Rourke, who directed her first feature, Mary Queen of Scots; legendary actor/writer/director,, Steven Berkoff; acclaimed Polish director, Jan Komasa, whose latest film Corpus Christi received raves at Venice and Toronto Film Festivals and is Poland’s entry for the Oscars; and Carl Hunter, with his first film, Sometimes Always Never starring Bill Nighy, previewed at the Festival.
The Cheltenham International Film Festival (CIFF) screens a programme of features and shorts, in and out of competition, master classes, workshops, special events and receptions. The Festival serves to give voice to emerging filmmakers and is open to filmmakers from around the world. The organisers make a point to reach out to women filmmakers and filmmakers who have broken through barriers. The Festival is all-inclusive, leaving no audience behind and encouraging participation by subsidising entry to film screenings and events.
Integral to the Festival is “Open Call”, a series of master classes and workshops in the arts & crafts of filmmaking, including cinematography, music, even stunt co-ordination, conducted by respected and well-known film industry professionals. Open Call attracts students of film through to members of the public, giving a peek behind the scenes into the magic of filmmaking.
In 2020 and new to the Festival, we shall invite panels of experienced film industry figures to discuss topical issues on casting, streaming and separating art from artist in the current climate of “political correctness”.
We welcome all to come and join us in a town which is well-known for its festivals, hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, scenery and whether you participate, attend or just want to hang out you will have an opportunity to discuss film with fellow enthusiasts as well as filmmakers.
We have received numerous emails with comments about the Festival. The following are extracted quotes from a selection of these emails.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my few hours at Cheltenham. I hope the rest of the festival went splendidly”.
Mike Leigh – film director
“I did enjoy the festival very much and have no doubt it will be a very special feature in the future Cheltenham artistic landscape.
Steven Berkoff – legendary actor, director and writer
“It was a huge pleasure to be part of your Festival……. I wish your festival will remain for years to come in such a prestigious place like Cheltenham. I’m proud to attend its first edition. Hope to be able to visit you sometime in the future again”.
Jan Komasa – film director
“You achieved something extremely impressive for a first festival……”
Tiffany Holmes - British Film Institute
“Congratulations on a wonderful first year for the festival. I thoroughly enjoyed the masterclasses…”
Natalie Spencer – Co-founder Tout Court Film Festival International Film
“I've been hearing very positive reports of the festival. Bravo”.
Andy Freedman – Festival Director Stroud Film Festival
“Congratulations again on a fab festival.
Oliver Clarke - Cinema Lumiere in Goettingen
“Congratulations on pulling it all together in such an impressive way…..I think you were fortunate to have such a dedicated team of volunteers and helpers”.
Chris Baker – Co-founder Film Bath
“Well done for organising such a successful first festival. Onwards and upwards”.
Michael Bourne – President Cheltenham Film Society
“Congratulations on organising the Cheltenham International Film Festival. Another great cultural string to our town's bow”.
Alex Chalk MP
“There was an excellent selection of films and talks. The number of 'big names' you managed to get to attend the festival was astounding - most festivals are only able to do this after about 10 years”!
Katie O’Toole – Theatre Producer and Judging Panel
“Thank you for putting it on. It was a tremendous effort and I enjoyed it enormously.
John Morrish – Writer
“I appreciate the opportunities and guidance you provided me throughout my time working with CIFF….some great names and events. I can't wait to see what its future holds”.
“Abbey Wilson – Final Year Film Student University of Gloucestershire
“The selection of films screened at the event were brilliant and the feedback received about the films was all very positive . A lot of attendees were raving about how good it was for a first time festival”.
Amber Maher – Eight PR/Co-founder Slime London
“It was excellent having the opportunity to join in with the festival and its programming - something which I would love to do again”.
Jacob Ward – Actor and Filmmaker
“Thank you for hosting the festival……. It went down well and thought it was a success”.
Max Wilkinson – LibDem member of Cheltenham Borough Council
The brand name “Cheltenham”, recognised for its high-profile, international arts festivals, brings prestige to the awards handed out by the Festival to Best Feature Narrative, Best Feature Documentary, Best Short Narrative, Best Short Documentary, Best Experimental. The Festival may add awards during the run up to the Festival.
In 2019, award winners ranged from celebrated British actor/director/writer, Steven Berkoff and director, Stephen Cookson, for their documentary Shakespeare’s Heroes and Villains, through to students of film for My Dad Is Orange, directed by final year film student, Elle Ralph.
Best Feature Film – Narrative
Best Feature Film - Documentary
Best Short Film - Narrative
Best Short Film - Documentary
Audience Award
