Romford Film Festival Programme - 2024

romford
film festival
2024

WATCH IT ALL
Spencer Hawken, Festival Director
Here we are again, one year on. It’s amazing how quickly the years
go as you get older but we are back with an incredible line-up of
movies from every genre you can imagine.
After last year nearly killed all of us I said we need to streamline, I said we’ll need to run fewer
days and show less films giving more time for breaks and Q&A’s. But for
2024 the film selection was the most solid we’ve had, I only achieved
one of the target goals, to run for fewer days. Despite my best
intentions, instead we go with twice as many features films
over 135% more hours. How do we do this I hear you cry?
Over multiple screens, this year at various points we play
over 6 of the cinemas 8 screens and every night you’ll
have to make a tough decision what to watch as
there are 4 screens running at the same time to
end the day.
As usual we use the tagline Can’t get to
Cannes? Come to Romford! And this year it
seems more appropriate, screening films that
played at both last year’s festival and this
years. We used this tagline after we were
scalded one year on social media for daring
to have the audacity to run at the same
time as Cannes, as if the two things are
comparable. Yet in some ways I guess we
are, this year offering over 30 world
premieres and Natalie and the team are
waiting in the bar to knock you up a
cocktail. We are the Poundland version of
Cannes, we provide escape for 5 days,
loads of great movies but without the
feeling you need to annihilate your credit
card, while in terms of collaboration some
say they achieve more here than the French
alternative.
As Kevin temporarily bows out, we are thrilled
to have both Ayvianna and Phil join our interview
team. While Carrie & Daniel will have to
split their videography time filming in two
screens rather than one.
We are again joined by the Eurasian Film Festival,
offering a festival within a festival as every afternoon
other than Sunday you’ll find movies from Central Asia
you probably won’t find anywhere else in the Western world.
This year we have three discussions one that focuses on legal
procedures within film with the wonderful Silvia Schmidt, for
beginners we have a “Introduction to filmmaking: For Dummies” while
Charlotte Atkinson returns for an ask the producer session. Along with this,
screen 6 will have a selection of panel discussions on topics that are decided by
the interviewer at the start of the day. Finally and by no means least, Hannah Davis is going to be
creating yet another photo opportunity for Tuesday 28th for filmmakers and full festival pass holders.
There is an incredibly strong line-up this year of phenomenal movies, with some truly great actors,
including Javier Bardem as a goldfish… yes you read me right… only at Romford! We’ll move you to
tears with some of our line-up, while on HorRHIFFic Saturday we have a couple of World Premieres
that will both terrify and make you laugh in equal measure. There’s wonderful experimental features,
extraordinary action, fascinating documentaries, laugh out loud comedy and outstanding animation.
Romford Film Festival 2024 is here!
1

in one place
Movies | Network | Events
Join us for five days of sensational film; from feature-length thrillers
to romance, comedy shorts and a certain bloody blockbuster. The
Romford Film Festival will take you on a tour of the best and most
romford
film festival
2024
diverse international movies, and rejuvinate your love of cinema. But that is not all! This
is a film festival for aspiring filmmakers too. If this sounds like you, stop for workshops,
photoshoots and priceless networking!
Central
Asian film
The Eurasian Creative
Guild joins us again
to share increasingly
diverse film and will
run throughout the
week with lots of
events too!
But have we
mentioned
the bar??
Remember to pick up a
film themed coktail at
the 'Projectionist' cocktail
bar too - open every day
from 11am - 11pm
picture this.
Want to look as glamorous as
Dan (right)? Film makers and Full
Festival Passholders can have a
micro shoot with pro
photographer for free on
Tuesday. Find out more
about booking on the day!
expect
SHOCKING
BEHAVIOUR on
SATURDAY
educate & celebrate
We also have a huge variety of
sequences throughout the week to
get your mind into film making and
film making into mind. Including:
NETWORKING MOMENTS
As well as an Awards Ceremony
Event, Launch Night, the Projectionist
cocktail bar, which is open all day
every day, holds home for filmmakers
looking for spontaneous connection!
Looking for a chat outside of film? Try a
different artform with our super creative
artist / maker / philosopher / designer
welcoming team behind the bar!
INTERVIEWS
Check out our usual daily Q&A's with
Spencer & Peter and for the first year
step into the fourth dimension with the
team as they film for Meta TV!
Also new for this year, and filling the
giant shoes of Nerdly maestro Kevin
are two special guest interviewers; the
lovely Ayvianna Snow and
equally as lovely but also more of a
‘Horrhiffic’ guy Philip Rogers!
EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
There is also a number of talks,
entertainment and symposiums over
the week too; from legal advice to
producers questions and exhibitions
and cultural events from Central Asia.
Find out more information about
events and celebrations at:
www.romfordfilmfestival.com
2

screen
7
welcome to
FridAY
screen
8
Annie and Neil embark on '30 Days of Clean
Living' only to capture a parallel version of
themselves. [Russ Emanuel] USA | SHORT:
Tea [Kate Surinskaya] USA
A whimsical immigrant
forges a deep-rooted bond
with nature. [Derek
Shimoda] USA | SHORT:
Have A Good Day [Lisa
Soper] Canada
With advice from rock legend
Richard O’Keefe, the band go from
nobodies to superstars. But how far
are they willing to go to keep their
secrets from coming out? [Mitchell
Tolliday] UK |SHORT: A Positive
Contribution [Nuri Moseinco] UK
late night
screenings
1 2
3

splatterday
scream
7
Grab your penises before
someone takes yours! The
craziest horror movie of
2024 is here! [Chad
Ferrin] USA SHORT: The
Dead Of Winter [Stephen
Graves] UK
Detective Francis
Alban finds herself
embroiled in a missing
persons case in which
all is not what it seems.
[Michael Fausti] UK |
SHORT: The Lure
[Tony Hipwell] UK
When Dakota tries to
break off her toxic
relationship, a violent
physical reaction starts
transforming her partner into
a monstrous creature and
worst of all, he’s contagious…
[Alix Austin & Keir Siewert]
SHORT: The Night Blooms
[Daniel Keeble] UK
late night
howlers
from 9.30pm
screen
1
As a tormented filmmaker reaches new
levels of success, the horrors of his film
start to creep into his life. [Maximus
Jenkins] USA | SHORT: Rebirth [William Brooke] UK
bloodthirsty blockbuster
Once Upon A Time In America
the film’s longest ever cut!
6.00pm - Screen 8
A former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster
returns to the Lower East Side of Manhattan
35 years later, where he must once
again confront the ghosts and regrets
of his old life.
[Sergio Leone]
USA
screen
2
4

screen
7
social sunday
screen
8
Exciting nights around the
campfire that Alfons and
his friends will never forget.
[Mark Schlichter] Germany
SHORT: Supertramp
[Fabrizio Gammardella] UK
A documentary about a much needed
orphanage for elephants in Southern Africa.
[Hermien Roelvert-Van Gils] South Africa
SHORT: Fairplay [Zoel Aeschbacher] France
After the death of their
villainous boss, his low-level
Hench people plan their
next moves. [Jeremy Warner] USA |
SHORT: Scale [Joseph Pierce] UK
One mans journey to fulfill a dream
of leading his town’s Christmas
Choir Band to its former glory.
[Muneera Sallies] South Africa
Mouse [Max Fisher] UK
| The Consequence
[Kammy Darweish] UK | Her Castle [Daniel Ellerby] UK |
The Countryman [Andy Kastelic] USA | Same Old [Lloyd
Lee Choi] Canada | Opening Up [Oz Arshad] UK
An unlikely pair of pool sharks
are on a dangerous path of selfdestruction
in a world of their own
design. [Leif Johnson] UK | SHORT:
Read To Me [Dan Horrigan] UK
late night
7
A woman experiences the screenings
changing features of fourteen
9.30pm
female protagonists. [Giulio Pereno]
Italy | SHORT: Scomparire [Daniele
Nicolosi] Italy
1 2
#RevolutionAnyone
Interviews on the frontline of the UK with high
profile interviewees. [Archie Lauchlan & Jodie
Lauchlan] UK | SHORT: Fitting Descriptions
[Tiffany Bedwell & John Mossman] USA
8
It's Christmas Eve and
friends prepare to attend
a rave. However, substances
and feelings soon collide.
[David Campion] UK | SHORT:
Sour Milk [Joe Duncombe] UK
Remi Milligan: Lost Director
Docufiction looking at the life and films of a
trashy B-Movie director. [Samuel Lodato] UK |
SHORT FEATURE: Doll#195 [Martin Lloyd,
Anja Ramaroson & Richard Tomes] UK
7

screen
7
film holiday
monday
screen
8
Girls meet in the forest with their friends,
when darkness appears on their faces.
[Kenichi Ugana] Japan | SHORT: God Save
The King [Chris Harvey] UK
A perfect family getaway is
suddenly upended when
a policeman’s grandson
disappears. [Justin
MacGregor] Canada
SHORT: Help Is... on the Way? [Jason A. White] USA
A documentary delving into the aftermath of
trauma within the Sri-lanken community. [Ryan
Singh & Nikila Cole]
Canada. | SHORT:
Father’s Day [Tumelo
Lekena] South Africa
Banks, an agent of the British
SOE, is tasked with rescuing a
French resistance fighter from a
hidden Nazi bunker. [Nicholas
Winter] UK | SHORT: Bedtime
[Matt Davies] UK
Tits [Eivind Landsvik] Norway | Auxiliaire
[Lucas Bacle] France | Her Castle [Daniel
Ellerby] UK | Ashland [Daniel De'Ath] UK | Bien
Cuit [Simon O'Neill] France / Ireland
After separating from
his wife due to an
emotional affair, a
homeward bound
musician goes on a
road trip of nostalgia.
[Oscar Wenman-Hyde]
UK | SHORT: The Sea
[Ian Bartholomew] UK
Returning to Iran after
many years in exile in
Finland, Sam finds that
he has not yet escaped
his past. [Ramin Sohrab]
Finland | SHORT: Fár
[Gunnur Martinsdóttir
Schlüte] Iceland
1
2
From basketball star to world record actor, Big
Smooth is a documentary telling the life story of
Neil Fingleton. [Paul Stainthorpe] UK | SHORT:
Better The Neville You Know [Paul Stainthorpe] UK
late night screenings
9.30pm
The Lacámaras discover that they
deserve nothing more than to be
bound to each other forever. [Alex
Sereno] Spain | SHORT: Walking
Fernando [Max Mir] UK
late night shorts
Black Sunday [Andrea R Ciobanu] UK | The
Oracle [Anna Boronea & Stefano Moscone] UK |
The Snip [ Ben S. Hyland] UK | Take Me To Your
Influencer [Tom Lincoln & Greer Dale-Foulkes] UK
| Switch [Desiree Faust & Stefana D. Brancastle]
UK | I Called You [Jane Moriarty] UK | The
Suitcase [Jeremy Heslup ] UK | Bin Day [Elliot
Taylor] UK | The Door That Isn’t There [Clement
Jochem] UK | Speaker [ Alan Hamwan] UK.
8

screen
7
2k5 [Nicole Pott] UK | I Promise You
Paradise [Morad Mostafa] Egypt |
Lies On The Line [Nicole Sarah Fry]
UK | Hardangerfolk [Gregor Douglas
Sinclair] UK | Chairs [James Hughes]
UK | Croak [Dom Lee] UK
choose
tuesday
screen
8
Dunes of Desolation [Mike Glide, Andy Boothby &
Grace Glide] UK | The Friend Factory [Steven
Lancefield] UK | Just Another Day [Jason Impey] UK |
Trivia [Russell Whaley] USA | Sedona(saur) [Russell
Whaley] USA | The Silent Treatment [Steven Lancefield]
UK | Heart’s Desire [Loren Alleyne] UK | I Don’t Like
Shitting In Public [Ken Abalos] UK
A university student's
life begins to spiral
out of control after
reluctantly being
involved in a robbery.
[Jordan-Kane Lewis]
UK | SHORT: Emit
[Jay Kesav]
UK
A hard-headed 90-year-old is
forced by his daughter into an
old-age-home. [Corne Van
Rooyen] South Africa | SHORT:
Beholden [Leon Lopez] UK
Anton promises to fall in love, once and for real.
But it doesn’t seem to be all that easy… [Holger
Borggrefe] Germany | SHORT: This Is Not Norway
[Alicia Albares & Paco Cavero] Spain
7.00pm
The AWARDs
CEREMONY
Celebrate the best films from
both The Romford Film Festival
and The Eurasian Creative Guild
Film Festival | Get a drink at the
bar from 7pm and network! |
Strike a pose on the red
carpet until 8pm, and at
9pm head to screen 7 for
the awards presentation!
A photographer in New York unexpectedly
forms a connection with a
Love Doll [Tatiana Becquet Genel] France
late night screenings
Indelible Memories
After watching the "Film of Memories,"Yui
learns about the secret that Nishi has been
keeping from her. [Shin Sonoda] Japan |
SHORT: Midnight on MSN [Elise Levy] USA
short film showcase v11
Neædra [Shelby Eames] UK | A Plus [Michael P.
Spencer] UK | A Piece Of Work [Ed Willey] UK |
Socks [Daryl Cockburn] UK | Unthinkable
Conversations [Emma Richardson] UK | The
Bottle [ Samuel Windle] UK | Who The F**K Is
Jacky Bumpers? [Alan Halls] USA | 13 Seconds
[Darren James King] UK
1
2
9

screen
8
10

event team
Ensuring the event is everything it is
cracked up to be, this team swoop in
just when they are needed. During the
festival you will see them making sure
everything goes to plan and guests have a
great time!
team goals
logistics team
spencer Natalie Rodolfo
gill charlotte april
These guys work all year managing the festival(s)
and their outreach programme. From taking
submissions, to branding, arranging sponsorships,
scheduling and dealing with festival tech. During
the fest, they are everywhere from interviewing
filmmakers, playing the films, to running the bar!
interviewers
media team
Peter
ayvianna
Philip
The people who seem to have endless questions.
They will be ready and waiting for you at the end of
your screening to find out the who’s? Why’s? and
How’s? of your film! Got secrets to share? They will be
no less gentle than Martin Bashir.
chris
carrie
daniel
Tell us you’re a photographer without
telling us you’re the photographer.
These guys style the festival and look
after your pics and recordings above all
else. Together they style and edit
interviews, do press photography and
even stylised shoots.
You wont get a festival media team this
dedicated, or talented anywhere else.
Hannah
kevin
HEADLINE:SPONSORS:
A HUGE THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
AND TO OUR SUPPORTERS:
AWARD SPONSORS:
WWW.ROMFORDFILMFESTIVAL.COM