01 Jul Curtain rises on first ever Kingston International Film Festival

Kingston was buzzing with creative talent at the first ever Kingston International Film Festival.

Supported by BAFTA winning director Mike Newell and Academy Award winning actress Dame Vanessa Redgrave, and part-funded by Kingston Council, the event saw 99 films screened across five venues over three days.

Running from 24-27 June, the festival showcased work by emerging British filmmakers and international talent, offering a new platform for independent filmmakers to show their work to the industry and kick-start their careers.

As well as screenings at fantastic local venues such as Kingston University’s RIBA Prize winning Town House, the Rose Theatre and the Odeon, there was also networking at the Rotunda in the town centre. Actors Dougray Scott and Star Trek’s Marina Sirtis were among the leading industry figures backing the festival.

Barwell Business Park was among the employers providing sponsorship for the event.

Kingston Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture and Heritage, Councillor Peter Herlinger, said: “Creativity is part of Kingston’s DNA and Kingston International Film Festival builds on that. We are embedding culture in our growth and recovery as we come out of the pandemic, bringing cultural events back to venues and high streets across the borough to help them diversify and attract investment.

“Kingston is perfectly placed to focus on investing in and supporting emerging creative talent. Our strong relationships with leading creative industries educator Kingston University, Kingston College, and community-based organisations such as Creative Youth, mean we have the right ingredients to support that creative talent pipeline. By doing so we can complement what’s happening in the rest of London.”

Alongside the exciting programme of premieres and workshops, the festival hosted screenings for young people and community events.