The first Stroud Film Festival, which closed March 29, involved sixteen award winning films at eight venues with an audience of over 1300 film enthusiasts
Many of the events were sold out, beginning with the opening weekend, which included screenings of Hitchcock’s classic, The Lodger, at the Brunel Goods Shed, and Life’s Legacy at Open House, a benefit for two charities; and ending with full audiences for Wenders’ Pina at The Cotswold Playhouse and Last Song Before the War at Lansdown Hall. In between, there were talks, a family afternoon of animation, major features at the Vue Cinema, a poetry and cinema evening at Atelier, and the Stroud Community TV Awards and a Young Filmmakers Showcase.
Kath Lowrie of Chalford, who was at the festival launch, said: “There was a great atmosphere in the Brunel Goods shed and the band did a splendid job of providing a soundtrack. I loved the film festival programme and thanks to all for the hard work involved.”
Immediately after the closing night, the festival organisers were keen to thank all the venues, volunteers who donated their time, filmmakers who submitted entries to the Awards, Stroud Town Council for their support and – most important of all – everyone who came out to see the films and celebrate cinema in the town.
Jo Bousfield of Lansdown Film Club was enthusiastic: “The Film Festival exceeded my expectations. As a group of volunteers we managed to create an interesting programme that attracted large crowds! I am delighted and looking forward to planning next year’s festival.”
Andy Freedman, another of the festival organisers, said: “We’re really pleased about the number of people who’ve been to see films and with the great feedback we’ve heard from audiences. A few lessons have been learnt, but it’s gone really well and it will happen again in 2016. We’d like to hear from people interested in being involved in the next one – please email us on info@stroudfilmfestival.org”
