Details have been finalised for a film festival with a strong Cumbrian flavour that will form one of the centrepieces of the 30th Anniversary programme at Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre.
Thirty films, one from each year of the Kirkgate’s existence since its launch in 1995, will be screened at the centre over three weeks in July and August.
Films have been selected because of their local connections – featuring either Cumbrian stars, directors, authors or writers, music composers or locations.
The festival will run from Saturday, July 19, to Sunday, August 17 and tickets will cost £30 for the full festival or £6.50 per individual screening.
Two films from acclaimed Carlisle-born director Mike Figgis feature in the line-up – Leaving Las Vegas (Friday, July 18) and The Loss Of Sexual Innocence (Saturday, July 19).
Composer Adrian Johnston, also from the Carlisle area, figures heavily too. Four of the movies he scored will be screened – Jude starring Christopher Ecclestone and Kate Winslet (Saturday, July 19), Me Without You starring Anna Friel and Michelle Willims (Sunday, July 20), Brideshead Revisited starring Ben Wishaw and Matthew Goode (Wednesday, July 30) and Glorious 39 starring Romola Garai and Eddy Redmayne (Saturday, August 2).
Other films with strong Cumbrian links to be shown include:
· Miss Potter starring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor, which was partially filmed in the county (Sunday, July 20);
· Supernova starring Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci, also partially filmed in Cumbria (Sunday, July 20);
· 28 Days Later starring Cillian Murphy and Christoper Ecclestone featuring Cumbrian locations, including the closing scene around Ennerdale (Friday, July 25);
· Sightseers, also partially shot in the county including the Pencil Museum in Keswick (Monday, July 28);
· Johnny English Reborn starring Rowan Atkinson, who went to school at St Bees (Sunday, August 3).
Kirkgate Chief Executive Emma Heys said: “We’re sure that there’s something for everyone in the exciting range of films that has been pulled together. It will be a memorable way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the centre, which has become a much-valued cultural hub for the town and the wider area.”
Pat Farrell, from the Kirkgate’s film programming group, which has played a key role in delivering the festival programme, added: “It was quite a challenge identifying a suitable film with a Cumbrian connection for each of those 30 years that would give us a varied and balanced programme.
“We then had to track down how to get a licence to screen each of them; this proved tricky for some of the older films but finally it all came together. We now just hope that as many people as possible will come along and enjoy the festival.”
In addition to the film festival, a 30th Anniversary Birthday Party will take place on Saturday, October 11. This will include music from New Orleans style jazz band Alligator Gumbo served up with Cajun Creole food (£30 per person).
Other events organised to celebrate the Kirkgate’s birthday include a 30th Anniversary Exhibition to run for 10 days in October showcasing the building’s history, both before and after its conversion into the arts and heritage facility of today, and a raffle to be drawn in October with 30 substantial prizes on offer, including pieces of art, restaurant vouchers and a private musical concert! Details on all Kirkgate Centre activities can be found here: Events Archive – Kirkgate Arts and Heritage
Alternatively, the box office can be contacted on 01900 829966.
ENDS …..
NOTES TO EDITORS
Kirkgate is a charity based in Cockermouth, Cumbria. It operates an arts and heritage centre as well as working with towns and villages in West Cumbria to encourage a diverse programme of arts, culture and entertainment. Its vision is to ensure that creative talent is valued, developed and supported with opportunities for all to engage actively with, and enjoy, the arts, local heritage and community life.
The Kirkgate Centre brings the best cultural, theatrical and entertainment events to Cumbria. From the best feature and documentary films to live streaming of top London shows, to local talent, heritage exhibitions, music, theatre, comedy and more, there is something for everyone.
In the historic Kirkgate Quarter of the Gem Town of Cockermouth, sitting on the edge of the Lake District National Park, the Kirkgate Centre is the perfect venue for special occasions, conferences, meetings, courses, exhibitions or private film screenings.
Kirkgate manages Arts Out West which stages performances in community venues from Furness to the Solway, ranging from nationally-recognised theatre companies to international musicians with events that are as much a social occasion as a performance. It is a member of the National Rural Touring Forum supported by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.
Follow @kirkgatearts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
For more information:
Emma Heys 01900 829966 enquiries@thekirkgate.com www.kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk
The Kirkgate Centre, Kirkgate, Cockermouth, CA13 9PJ