Southend Film Festival Returns with 10th Anniversary Special

Film fanatics, ready yourself, because the annually arranged Southend Film Festival is right around the corner!
The 2018 edition promises to be particularly special with its incredible programme, that is sure to excite the movie maniacs out there.
This year’s festival will take place from 25-28 May and is even more of a celebration because 2018 marks its 10th birthday.
Southend Film Festival will pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of Lindsay Anderson’s seminal, Cannes Palm D’Or-winning if….with a Gala screening that will be attended by both cast and crew members.
if is an important film because it is one of the most inventive British movies ever made and still proves to have real value 50 years on. The storyline makes an impact because it centres on political and social unrest; exploring the effect of student riots in France and revolutionary events that took place in China, Cuba and beyond.
What makes this flick so powerful is – in part – its famous depiction of a violent insurrection at a boys’ public school. The gritty storyline and themes within meant the film was X-rated on its release.
As well as if, there are many movie gems that will delight those in attendance. Classics such as A Taste of Honey, Thunderball and Slade in Flame will also form part of the programme, creating a warming, nostalgic theme.
If you also have a thing for music then you will enjoy One Man’s Madness, which closes the festival on Monday 28 May. As one would expect from the title, this film follows the path of band member Lee Jay Thompson, who found fame with one of Britain’s biggest ever groups, Madness.
Other highlights include talks by directors, writers and actors, which will be spread out across the 4 day programme.
Festival Director Paul Cotgrove said: “I’m very proud that, from humble beginnings in 2009, the Southend-on-Sea Film Festival has become one of Essex’s biggest, independent events on the cultural calendar.
“It is also very special for me and my team to have linked up with the Lindsay Anderson Foundation for what is shaping up to be the year’s largest gathering of the cast and crew from if.
“I am also delighted that the festival will screen a programme that includes World Cinema, classics, new British features and documentaries, with plenty of opportunities to meet the people who made them.”
For full listings and details check out southendfilmfestival.com.
> Hannah Montgomery