A Hull film festival is set to return after an impressive first year in 2023.
The Unthinkable festival will return this October for a week of championing local filmmakers across the city. Using their debut year as building blocks for what they hoped would become a huge annual event, they say that this year with a bigger budget they can achieve just that.
Endorsed by Hollywood figures Vincent Regan and Mark Herman, Last year's winners included Spinning by Director Sam Spruell for best narrative film and overall winner, NOW by Pat Collins winning best experimental film. Aldbrough by Gail Smith and Tiger from Callum Mitchell both won best North East film.
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Organiser Keaton McD says that this year hopes to improve upon a successful debut year. He told Hull Live: "Last year went really well actually. We sold out our tickets, that was great and it seemed to be really well received."
The festival was created to help build upon Hull becoming a film-making destination following a string of Hollywood production teams using the city for some filming locations - so much so that a recent walking trail was created.
One of last year's celebrations saw local artist Richie Culver perform at the Waltzer at Hull Fair. "That went down really well." Keaton adds, "had a lot of people come down for that, and I think it was unexpected for a lot of people."
Calling the debut Unthinkable a 'building block,' Keaton already has bigger plans for this year's event.
"This year we're building upon everything we did, and adding in more. We've got the award ceremony with hopefully a bigger cash prize. New judges and patrons, we're doing a screening at Polar Bear showing local films which is to bring everyone together. The Waltzers will be back with a guy called Rainy Miller from Manchester."
The festival is looking for any film under 15 minutes regardless of genre, with no previous filmmaking experience required. Organisers say that the first 200 submissions to use code HULLDAILYMAIL will allow free submissions.
A confirmed timeline for the Unthinkable festival
- October 2 - Exhibition opening at Pop-up Space on Humber Street
- October 3 - Both exhibition opening night at Humber Street Gallery and Pop up Space on Humber Street
- October 4 - Marry Anne Talk with performances from Rainy Miller and Richie Culver & Industrial Coast talk both at Humber Street Gallery. Award Screening will happen later at Hull Truck Theatre.
- October 5 - Mark Herman Q&A & screening of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas at Middleton Hall. Hull Fair performance will happen at around 8 pm.
- October 6 - Award screening repeat at ERT Beverley.
- October 7 - The pop-up exhibition closes at Pop-up Space on Humber Street
