John Malkovich and John Waters amongst contributors to University's International Film Festival
06 August 2008
Over 100 entries from across the world have been submitted to The University of Northampton's International Community Film Festival (ICFF) 2008 which takes place from September 11 - October 12 at the University's Avenue Campus, St Georges Avenue, Northampton.
Engagement from celebrities and directors has been noted in some of the work submitted - actor John Malkovich reads poetry in a film about environmental awareness and a 'sense of place' (Polis is This) whilst cult director John Waters supplies a voice over to Plagues and Pleasures on Salton Sea. Director Ken Loach writes a preface for a local community film (Crafta Webb) and there is also a direct link with playwright, poet and dramatist Bertolt Brecht via a rural drama set in India (Tanvir's Travelogue).
Films have been received from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Sweden, Nigeria, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Ghana, Japan, Ireland, Spain, India, Australia, Kenya, Mozambique and for the first time, Syria, Turkey, Bosnia, China and Zimbabwe.
Ian McCormick, ICFF organiser, commented:
''We are exceptionally pleased with the high standard of entries this year. Film makers are exploring some of the biggest and most challenging issues that face our international community in 2008.
''Films on war, migration, asylum and ethnic diversity are prominent and we have more feature length and longer documentary films submitted. Also evident is the increase in the number of UK short films produced as a collaboration between a commercial organisation and a voluntary or community sector group and those sent in by students or younger people.
''It's fair to comment also that the boundary between cinema, DVD and on-line viewing options and intentions is becoming increasingly blurred.''
Films explore the following themes and will be shortlisted for screening in August:
- global citizenship (how your actions can contribute to global issues and how global issues are affecting you)
- conflict resolution (moving beyond conflict and promoting harmony)
- diversity (understanding and respecting differences)
- human rights (knowing about and promoting human rights)
- interdependence (your community in a global context)
- social justice (valuing equality and fairness; challenging injustice)
- sustainable development (valuing our natural resources and the environment)
- values and perceptions (awareness that people have different values, attitudes and perceptions)
Up to 10 films will share a prize fund of £2,000, judged during the Festival.
For further information on ICFF 2008, please visit www.icff.info or the International Community Film Festival group on www.facebook.com
Reference: UON8266
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