Get excited film fanatics; the LEEDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is back! From the 1st to the 18th November you could be involved with the largest film festival outside of London. Featuring cult films, short films and documentaries, the festival gives you the chance to enjoy some of the most acclaimed and talked about films from a number of genres.
The festival includes five different categories…
Cinema Versus
Home to documentaries inspired by the underground festival scene, it focuses on side-lined individuals, profiles of musicians and the issues they face. Here is a sneak peek of a film from their selection:
‘Golden Slumbers (Le Sommeil d’Or’) is a documentary shot in Cambodia and France which will have its UK premiere at the LIFF. Of the hundreds of films created during the 1960s in Cambodia only 30 remain today, the rest having been lost under the Khmer Rouge reign. In 93 minutes, this documentary follows the ‘myths and legends of a lost cinema.’ The moving film can be seen for only £5 on Friday 2nd November at 19:30 or Monday 5th November at 17:00 at the Leeds Town Hall 2.
Fanomenon
Dedicated entirely to cult films, ‘Fanomenon’ shows films which feature sci-fi experiences, horror sensations and the ‘outright bizarre’. Including brand new films from local filmmakers and European cult films, ‘Fanomenon’ is sure to have something for every thrill seeker.
Sneak peek:
Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar brings us ‘Modus Anomali.’ The film follows John who wakes up in a shallow grave in a forest, with no memory of how he got there. His discovery that his wife has been murdered, his children are missing and he is being stalked leads him to the discovery of even more bodies as he attempts to piece together the truth.
The thriller can be seen as part of the Day of the Dead event on Saturday 10th November, 15:30 at City Varieties.
Official Selection
This category contains a wide range of genres from the world of film. The film festival provides the opportunity for the work of talented filmmakers to be acknowledged and appreciated. The event also features a proportion of films that are soon due to premiere for the first time in the UK.
Sneak peek:
As part the ‘Official Selection’ category, action thriller ‘Argo’ is due to be shown at the festival’s opening gala on November 1st. The production is set in the 1980’s and features Ben Affleck as the film’s director and leading role. Argo has been highly praised by a variety of film critics so if your into action this film is a must see! Argo can be seen on the 1st November at 20:15 or the 3rd November at 20:30 in Leeds Town Hall 1 for only £7.00.
Retrospectives
A new section for 2012, ‘Retrospectives’ features films from some of the most widely celebrated directors, as well as classics from the last 100 years of cinema which are rarely shown on screen in the UK.
Sneak peak:
Considered a classic and film you must see before you die, Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ sci-fi adventure follows the interactions between humans and mysterious monoliths. The epic film features an outstanding soundtrack and received an Academy Award for its visual effects. The film will be shown on Friday 16th November at 20:30 at the Leeds Town Hall 1 for only £7.00.
Short Film City
If you can’t decide between the various categories above you could see a bit of everything at the ‘Short Film City’ part of the event. This section allows you to enjoy the range and diversity of all the films shown at the festival.
Every year the short city film section screens a selection of unique French productions. In its 26th year the festival organisers are due to introduce a number of Portuguese short films as well as an animation section showcasing British talent. The diversity and cultural experience that Leeds International Film Festival offers has been recognised across the globe and as a result, Sicily’s Magma festival has included a selection of shorts especially dedicated to Leeds.
Venues range from the University of Leeds to the Hyde Park Picture House and all are easily accessible with reasonably priced tickets and passes which can be bought from http://www.leedsfilm.com/tickets-passes/ ,which makes the festival a must see event!
Pictures from:
(http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/competitions/2012/10/argo-advanced-screening).