Live & Local’s Big Picture Film Festival Calls for Local Talent to Celebrate Legacy

Live & Local’s Big Picture Film Festival Calls for Local Talent to Celebrate Legacy

Live & Local are excited to announce the return of their annual Short Film Competition, as part of the 5^th Big Picture Film Festival, which will take place at The Bear Pit Theatre and other venues around Stratford-upon-Avon between Thursday 29th August to Sunday 1st September 2024.

Short film submissions are now being accepted from filmmakers from across the Midlands to showcase their creativity, talent and storytelling prowess. This year’s festival theme is Beyond the Frame: Legacy on Screen.

Chris Davis, Engagement Manager at Live & Local says:

“This competition aims to celebrate and support the vibrant film community in the region, offering a platform for both emerging and established filmmakers to network and showcase their work.

The Short Film Competition is free to enter and open to all filmmakers in the Midlands. Live & Local encourage entries from a diverse range of genres, including drama, comedy, documentary and animation from student and professional filmmakers alike.

Each submission should be an original short film with a runtime of no more than 20 minutes.

Last year’s short film competition winners included Laurence Roberts from Nottingham, student filmmaker Freya Baker-Duffin from Coventry and acclaimed filmmaker Michelle Bailey, also from Coventry.

Awards and Prizes

Winners of this year’s competition will receive a cash prize and the opportunity to have their films screened at the festival’s awards ceremony, followed by a Q&A session. Films will be judged based on creativity, originality, craft and storytelling.

Chris Davis adds;

“Last year’s winning short films covered social and societal issues and personal stories inventively and with exceptional skill and sensitivity so we’re looking forward to what this year’s submissions will bring.”

Festival Passes on sale now

Supported by Stratford Town Trust, The Big Picture Film Festival aims to remove financial barriers to attend by offering a pay-as-you-feelticketing model. Festival passes are now on sale at https://bit.ly/BPF24Tickets where you can secure a pass to whole festival whatever your budget.

Chris Davis, Engagement Manager at Live & Local says:

“We recommend a price but you can pay whatever you can afford. We have some fantastic events lined up and we want to encourage everyone to access the festival and have a good time.”

In addition to the short film competition, the festival promises a dynamic programme bursting with films from classics to undiscovered gems across live action, animation and documentaries. There will also be films with live scores and filmmaker Q&A sessions.

Now in its fifth year, the festival will be based at The Bear Pit Theatre every day with additional events taking place at other venues across the town as well as several fringe screenings in surrounding villages. For the latest programme developments, visit www.liveandlocal.org.uk and follow their social media.

Key Dates

Submission opens: 17^th June 2024

Deadline: 29^th July 2024

Screening and Awards Ceremony: Sat 31st August, 5pm, The Bear Pit Theatre

How to Enter

Filmmakers can submit their short films via Film Freeway or by emailing films@liveandlocal.org.uk

Get Involved

Local businesses, sponsors and volunteers are encouraged to get involved in supporting the wider Festival. By sponsoring an event you can help foster the creative talents of the region’s local filmmakers and contribute to the cultural enrichment of the region.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to volunteer, please contact info@liveandlocal.org.uk

For the latest programme announcements, visit liveandlocal.org.uk.