A Sunderland based film producer and distributor has brought together independent films from all over the world to appear at the inaugral International Film Awards Newcastle.(IFA)
Aman Sharma, who started his film making career after obtaining a Masters in Film Production at Sunderland University and was behind Sunderland Shorts Film Festival, is running the International Film Awards Newcastle concurrently as a separate strand to the Newcastle International Film festival from 29th to 31st March.
The IFA’s will showcase emerging, independent feature films and shorts from countries as diverse as Turkey, Belgium and Finland. In total, seven feature films and 12 shorts will be shown in four Newcastle venues – Dance City, Alphabeti Theatre, The Mining Institute and the Black Swan at Newcastle Arts Centre. The IFA’s will start at Dance City on 29th March with a UK premier of a film from South America which examines the issues of a transgender in modern Europe.
“El Diablo Es Magnifico” – The Devil’s Magnificent is a film by one to watch Chilean Director Nicolas Videla. The film tells the story of Manu, a Chilean transsexual immigrant who, tired of hostility and instability in Paris decides to return to Chile after 10 years in France. After the premiere there will be a Q&A session with cast and crew. Joing the panel will be Newcastle actress and producer Kin Tserkezie who will share her expertise regarding diversity in the TV and movie industry.
Organiser Aman said, “ The IFA’s have been planned for more than two years and I am grateful for the help and support I’ve received from Newcastle City Council, Unltd, Newcastle College and International Newcastle. This is a great platform to promote emerging talent from all across the globe and it will put Newcastle on the map as the place to show independent movies.”
Nearer to home, locally produced highlights of The IFA’s include a teen drama about bullying by Ashington based film maker Andy Simpson entitled Water Babies and Random Acts Present an exciting selection of short films by young artist filmmakers aged 16-24 covering animation and comedy, to dance and spoken word – these bold and creative short films reflect the mosaic of contemporary life through the lens of young artists in a series of shorts from 90 seconds to three minutes long. Random Acts is supported by Tyneside Cinema.
Tickets for The IFA’s are available at www.tifa.org.uk/festival
ENDS
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Photo shows: Aman Sharma
Media Contacts: Keith Newman Highlights PR 07814 397951