Bacup Film Festival

IN October 2007, Bacup will be at the centre of a brand new celebration of all things cinematic. The Bacup Film Festival will showcase a series of short films by independent film makers from across the UK for one weekend only.

In association with the North West Academy of Arts, the Bacup Film Festival will provide a platform for new and emerging talent from the UK to showcase their artistic flair and expose all types of film – from fiction to animations, documentaries and experimental films.

Taking place on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 October, the event will be a great opportunity for UK directors and crews to submit films that would otherwise not be seen by the public. Screening will take place at the Millennium Theatre in Waterfoot, with refreshments available throughout the weekend.

Described by English Heritage as the best preserved Mill Town England, Bacup has a unique character that lends itself well to film and television. In recent years, locations throughout Rossendale have attracted more film crews than ever before.

Stephen Hutchinson, Organiser of the Bacup Film Festival comments:

“The Bacup Film Festival will be a great chance for independent film crews throughout the UK to come together and celebrate all that is great about independent film making in a traditional British town. In the same way the Cannes Film Festival has put a sleepy French fishing village on the map, I have high hopes that one day Bacup will also be synonymous with innovative film making and ground breaking techniques.”

William Challinor, Deputy Leader at Rossendale Borough Council comments:

“The Bacup Film Festival will be a wonderful opportunity for Rossendale as a whole, with visitors from all over the country. Bacup and indeed Rossendale have a proven track record as a location favoured by commercial filming bodies and it would be wonderful if independent film makers could also benefit from the enormous variety of locations throughout the Valley.”

The Bacup Film Festival will take place Friday 26 October, 7:30pm-10:30pm and Saturday 27 October, 1:30pm-10:30pm. Tickets are available from the Rossendale Academy of Arts, 1a Market Street, Bacup, or by calling Chris Lever-Green on 07944 360980. For further information go to www.bacupfilmfestival.co.uk or email office@bacupfilmfestival.co.uk