[spectre] Berwick upon Tweed Film & Media Arts Festival

[Chris Byrne]

I thought people may be interested to know that Iliyana Nedkova and 
myself curated a section of this festival. We selected works by seven 
artists as part of a large exhibition in the unique setting of this 
border town. The artists’ works will be shown in a variety of contexts: 
the Gymnasium gallery, the Maltings arts centre, a military cell, a 
Georgian shop, and the magnificent Elizabethan fortifications which 
surround the town centre. Our selection is part of a larger effort for 
the festival which includes contributions from curator David Thorp, and 
festival directors Huw Davies and Marcus Coates.

We hope to see some of you there!

Chris

---

10 exciting days of dynamic film & media arts

For the first time, Berwick is staging a world-class contemporary Film 
and Media Arts Festival. It will be held in 14 venues throughout the 
town between 16-25th September.

The festival has a dynamic programme of award-winning UK and 
international short films, artists’ film and video, documentary, 
animation and digital interactive work. Over 80 films are being 
screened bringing together filmmakers and artists from 20 countries 
from Albania to Afghanistan. There will also be the opportunity to see 
work from emerging filmmakers and artists.

Screenings will take place in unusual venues, these range from the 18th 
century prisons - one being a condemned cell and last place of rest 
before the gallows - a huge cavernous subterranean ice house and an 
Elizabethan defensive watch tower.

Programme highlights include a British film premiere by Vadim Jean - 
"Jiminy Glick in Lalawood"- which closed the Toronto Festival to great 
acclaim. There are also a further four UK premieres: "Channel 
Swimmers", "Earth and Ashes", "Suburbs" and "Welcome Home" and the 
English premiere of "Bitter Dream".

There will be a rare chance to view "The Lark Ascending" by Turner 
Prize nominee, Mark Wallinger.

Merchant Ivory’s Executive Producer, Paul Bradley, arrives to introduce 
a special screening of "A Room with A View" and offer a chance to win 
tickets to the London premiere of the last Merchant Ivory Production 
"The White Countess".

Rare archival footage of local historical events, dating back to the 
1920's, will also be screened from one of very few privately owned 
collections remaining in the UK.

For full programme details go to http://www.berwickfilm-artsfest.com

For Box office and general enquiries call The Maltings on 01289 330999