New Filmmakers Festival: Unique Event & Support | BBC News

A new film festival, Panther Fest, is launching in Halstead, Essex, aiming to provide a platform for emerging filmmakers and support the Halstead Dementia Friendly Project. Founded by 21-year-old Freddie Penrose, a recent graduate of Colchester Institute, the festival prioritizes accessibility for new talent by waiving entry fees for film submissions.

Penrose established Panther Fest last year with the goal of creating a launchpad for filmmakers beginning their careers. He stated, I want to make it a launch point for people’s filmmaking journeys, according to a report from BBC News. I want to make it as accessible as possible for people starting out, so ultimately even if you don’t end up making it to this year’s festival you’re not at a financial loss.

The festival will be held at Halstead’s Empire Theatre in May. Penrose described the event as one of a kind, noting the lack of similar initiatives for aspiring filmmakers. The inaugural festival last year received an immediate positive response, he added.

Supporting New Filmmakers and the Community

Penrose’s commitment to supporting emerging filmmakers extends beyond the festival itself. He also runs a scheme to lend filmmaking equipment to graduates, addressing a common challenge faced by those leaving film school. When I was studying they had so much kit available and then you leave and then you kind of lose that, Penrose explained to BBC Essex’s Ben Fryer. I just wanted to be a bridging point for people who are maybe looking at getting some bits themselves, but don’t yet have any equipment.

This year, Panther Fest will directly benefit the Halstead Dementia Friendly Project, with all proceeds from the event being donated to the organization. Penrose explained the connection, stating, Knowing they do community activities, and having lost my nan to dementia, when I found we could host the festival at the Empire – it was perfect.

Ipswich Arts Festival to Showcase ‘Newest and Most Exciting Work’

In related news, Ipswich is preparing to host “In the Works,” a new arts festival focused on work-in-progress performances and innovation, taking place from May 11–27. The festival, revealed at Ipswich’s County Library, will feature over 30 events across eight venues, encompassing theatre, film, music, comedy, and writing.

Douglas Rintoul, chief executive and artistic director of New Wolsey Theatre and chair of We Are Ipswich, emphasized the festival’s importance, stating, Audiences deserve the chance to experience the newest and most exciting work being made right now… By coming together we can make a bold statement about what we can achieve here.

Supporters of “In the Works” include New Wolsey Theatre, Brighten the Corners, Eastern Angles, SPILL, King Street Cinema, and Suffolk Community Libraries. Melissa Matthews, cultural programmes manager for Suffolk Community Libraries, highlighted the festival’s role in making cultural experiences more accessible, saying, This big moment of social action let’s us utilise libraries as that gateway into culture, really raising awareness of those high quality experiences and actually show what opportunities are out there.

The Ipswich festival aims to foster a gorgeous ecosystem of creativity within the town, potentially leading to transformative changes, according to organizers.