Movie lovers to celebrate Birmingham Film Festival

The 2022 Birmingham Film Festival gets underway in November, bringing 131 free screenings to Millennium Point in a 10-day celebration of moviemaking.

Taking place from 4 to 13 November, cinema buffs will be treated to an array of films shown on the biggest cinema screen outside London. The bill includes everything from short one-minute movies to full-length feature films, created by up and coming and professional directors from across the world.

Thousands of visitors are expected to the free screenings, as well as seminars, workshops and conferences led by some of the top people in the business, making it the biggest film and media event in the West Midlands. It culminates again in a red-carpet awards ceremony.

Kevin McDonagh, president of the Birmingham Film Festival, said: “This annual 10-day event is about celebrating every aspect of film and screen and establishing Birmingham as hub of creative talent.

“We want to nurture and inspire budding filmmakers and actors of all ages, giving them the opportunity to meet and learn from some of the biggest names in the business, as well as the chance to see a variety of films shown on a large screen.

“We 've had over 1,000 submissions again and there 's some fantastic talent being demonstrated. The Grand Jury will have a hard time choosing the winners of this year 's festival.

“Thanks to support from our sponsors, we 're able to make this event as accessible as possible, with all the screenings being free to attend, and the seminars costing just £10 each for the opportunity to learn from the film industry 's key experts and decision-makers. ”

The best submissions have been put forward to compete for thirty awards in thirty categories. Winners will be chosen by a Grand Jury of industry experts and revealed in the red-carpet Birmingham Film Festival gala dinner. Awards up for grabs include best film, best feature, best short, best documentary, best international film and local film, as well as gongs for actors, cast, young filmmakers and students.

All shortlisted films will be screened at Millennium Point, which will be free to attend, but places do need to be booked via the Birmingham Film Festival website.

Alongside the screenings is the popular seminar programme which brings together film industry experts and provides an incredible opportunity for budding filmmakers, actors, writers and directors to learn and network.

Tickets for all events, both free and paid, are available from the Birmingham Film Festival website.