CHILDREN OF THE SNOW LAND
“Thank you so much to everyone who joined our screening of Children of the Snow Land at Stroud Film Festival. It was a really special evening for us. We really enjoyed the questions afterwards, which were thoughtful, engaging and in some cases, moving. Proceeds from the screening ticket sales have raised a whopping £600 for Himalayan children. We've also had an extra £225 in donations since the screening to our fundraising platform at www.localgiving.com/snowlandjourneys. A huge thank you on behalf of the Himalayan teenagers who will receive this money to help them reintegrate with their families in June this year.”
Zara Balfour, Phil Briggs & Tsering Deki Lama
8th April
7.00pm
“An incredibly inspiring story from the roof of the world.”
Bear Grylls
This special online screening of CHILDREN OF THE SNOW LAND is part of Stroud Film Festival, in support of nonprofit organisation SNOWLAND JOURNEYS. The film will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s female protagonist, Tsering Deki, live from Nepal. She will be joined by the film’s director & producer Zara Balfour, who is Stroud-based, and Phil Briggs, Director of Snowland Journeys.
CHILDREN OF THE SNOW LAND tells the incredible story of a group of children born in the High Himalayas of Nepal; a remote area of great natural beauty but where life is extremely tough. From just four years old, some children are sent by their parents to the capital city, Kathmandu, to a school run by a Buddhist monk, in the hope that education will give them a better chance in life.
For ten years or more they are not able to see or speak to their parents, due to the remoteness of their villages.
Upon graduation, aged 16, the children must make the journey home; an arduous trek across mountains that takes them to the highest inhabited place on the planet; a faraway, off-grid land where the way of life has not changed for thousands of years. The young children who left their parents many years ago will return to their villages as teenagers who have been brought up in a world of mobile phones, social media and most modern conveniences. And then the earthquake strikes.
Directed by Zara Balfour and Marcus Stephenson, and executive produced by Christopher Hird, CHILDREN OF THE SNOW LAND film documents the scary, moving, funny and humbling stories from the world’s longest walk home from school. This film has been brought to the screen by
Dartmouth Films, Picture on the Wall Productions and Mayfly TV.
Partly filmed by the Nepali children featured in the film, CHILDREN OF THE SNOW LAND offers a view of a remote, ancient place, where the way of life has remained unchanged for the past 2,000 years and explores the human spirit’s extraordinary capacity to survive and thrive in difficult circumstances with meagre resources, whilst asking the universal question - what makes a family?
This screening is held in aid of SNOWLAND JOURNEYS, which will receive all proceeds from ticket sales. SNOWLAND JOURNEYS is a Stroud-based non-profit organisation which was founded by the film’s director/producer Zara Balfour to offer sustainable long-term support to the children, school and mountain families who she got to know whilst she was making the film.
Joanna Lumley is the patron of Snowland Journeys. www.snowlandjourneys.com
Outdoor learning and expedition expert Phil Briggs joined Zara and together they developed the concept for Snowland Journeys, always working with the beneficiaries to ensure a needs-led programme of support, to help enable Himalayan children to fulfil their rights to maintain contact with their families, communities and culture, alongside their right to education. Snowland Journeys also develops livelihoods for mountain communities and provides educational experiences and mental health support for young people in the UK, as well as regenerative travel expeditions in Nepal.
The Refugee Crisis: From Calais and Beyond
“I would like to express my gratitude to the whole team at Stroud Film Festival for creating such a wonderful opportunity and platform to share important stories. It was a pleasure to be involved in this event and raise awareness about the refugee crisis through our work. To everyone who was in the audience - a huge thank you - your generosity and kindness will go far.”
Jaz O'Hara, The Worldwide Tribe
Wednesday 31 March 2021 at 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Join us for an evening of films, stories and conversations with Jaz O'Hara - Founder of The Worldwide Tribe.
The Worldwide Tribe is a global, online movement of people supporting refugees. It was born from a life-changing Facebook post written by Jaz O'Hara about her first trip to the Calais Jungle in July 2015. This post alone went on to raise £250,000, reach over 13 million people and spark the collection of physical donations by the tonne - filling warehouses across the country.
Jaz has worked tirelessly in refugee camps across Europe and the Middle East ever since, telling the stories that too often go unheard.
We plan to take you back to the beginning, to the Calais Jungle, where The Worldwide Tribe was born.
Join us to be taken on a journey across the world, without you actually having to go anywhere.
Tickets £3 (Additional donations welcome)
All proceeds of this event will go to supporting refugees.
A Stroud Film Festival event in collaboration with Amnesty International (mid Glos)
Invisible:
a film by Anna Cady and Brenda Waite
Sunday 28th March 7.30 pm
Online premiere screening, discussions and Q and A
Part of THE SPACE BETWEEN US Residency
Projections, performances, workshops
In the SVA Gallery 25 March- 11 April
Whilst isolating in Anna’s tiny attic Brenda explores her experience of becoming…what? Invisible? Incorporating improvisation and existential comedy.
Anna Cady is an artist-filmmaker - who has screened internationally, including being selected for Sundance 2013. She has also screened at Tate Modern and Whitechapel Gallery.
Brenda Waite is a movement practitioner who has presented work internationally including Bristol Old Vic, ICA London, Melbourne and Berlin.
Join our live creative event on the 26th of March at 6pm, exploring new films by young contemporaries.
We will discuss how we make, why we make, the importance of collaboration, improvisation and sharing. Follow the yellow brick road, as we pave the way for a world of surrealist comedy and wild expression. Illegitimi Non Carborundum is symbolic of strength against all odds - having the audacity to go against the grain is now more important than ever. Come along and see how we put this approach into practice! An evening of conversation and all-round hilarity awaits.
Book your tickets soon.
Art Bridge Emergents virtual exhibition
23rd March 2021
6.00-8.00pm
The exhibition must go on…line
Gloucestershire charity Art Shape announces the private view of a brand new exhibition on Tuesday 24th March, online.
Viewers of the Art Bridge Emergents event will be able to see a video virtual exhibition of work which has been made by artists as part of a residency with artist Deb Hoy.
The launch, run in conjunction with the Stroud Film Festival, includes a chance to hear about the project from some of the artists involved and to ask questions.
This collaboration includes a partnership with the Forestry Commission on a project using art to connect more people with trees and nature. Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, Art Shape joined forces with Forestry England on a project to help improve diversity in the arts. The Arts Bridge Emergents project gives opportunities for professional development to emerging artists who face barriers to practice.
The project is linked with a brand new installation entitled Lungs of the Earth-based in Silk Wood at Westonbirt Arboretum.
The partnership between Art Shape and Westonbirt has proved a solace and inspiration for the Art Bridge Emergents artists who have presented different perspectives on the connection between humans and trees.
Art Shape are thrilled to be able to bring you this diverse and glorious exhibition online from The Art Bridge Emergents project; a partnership with Forestry England that tasked a diverse group of artists to respond to the critical connection between Humans and Trees.
‘TO THE EDGE’ A FILM BY PIP HEYWOOD
SCREENING & Q+A
“On behalf of all the patients, carers and families we care for at Longfield, I would like to say a huge thank you for your amazing donation of £350.00 towards our work, money raised by holding your event at Stroud Film Festival.
Your donation means we will be able to care for more patients at home, taking pressure off the NHS, at this very difficult and challenging time.
The hospice has delivered the best possible end-of-life care for over 30 years to many thousands of patients and families and by supporting this appeal you are playing an important role in helping to ensure Longfield Hospice is here for future generations – thank you so much.”
Claire Ellis, Longfield Community Hospice
Thursday 18th March 2021
7.00 – 8.15 pm (film 33 minutes)
Local filmmaker Pip Heywood’s new film is launched as an online event on 18th March. Pip’s father Oliver was a landscape painter, who lived near Stroud and the film follows a quest by Pip to find one of his Dad’s last sketching places, in the Outer Hebrides.
Pip will introduce the event and answer questions about the film which is a celebration of his Dad’s painting also like a conversation between a painter and a filmmaker.
The event is a charity fundraiser for Longfield Community Hospice, Minchinhampton)
A freelance TV documentary film editor for 35 years, Pip has been based in Nailsworth and worked on well over 500 films. Some well-known collaborators include Alan Bennett, about Westminster Abbey, David Attenborough on carvings from Easter Island and the early silent films with Paul Merton.
For many years, one of Oliver’s last paintings has hung above the family fireplace, and Pip had thought about making a film around it. The film follows a journey, a quest to try to discover where Oliver sat to make the sketch that led to the painting – on an outlying tidal island off North Uist, in The Outer Hebrides.
Pip and Ali, his wife and producer, planned to go in early June 2020, but lockdown meant that the trip began at 6 am on September 2nd, their 42nd wedding anniversary. To see what happened – watch the film!
STRATFORD PARK LIDo NEW FILM LAUNCHED
Memories from the earliest days of this unique pool, archive photos and stories from swimming enthusiasts are all included in a brand-new video celebrating the Stroud Outdoor Pool (or Stratford Park Lido) from the 1938 opening through to the summer of 2019. In conjunction with the Friends of Stratford Park Lido
Visit the Friends of Stratford Park Lido website
Get on the list for updates about future film festival events by emailing info@stroudfilmfestival.org
Find out more about Stroud District Food Bank & the Big Give campaign here:
‘BRILLIANT’ RESPONSE TO STROUD DISTRICT FOOD BANK FILM FUNDRAISER!
The target was £4000. We reached this inside the first hour!!
On the first day, the Big Give total is £5800 and that doesn't include gift aid.
The Big Give runs until 8th December!
Big Give Fundraiser will help support the Food Bank’s work throughout the region.
As an added bonus we’re sending you a specially commissioned film
about Stroud Foodbank, produced by Creative Media Students at Bath Spa
University for the campaign. https://youtu.be/9ZFHwfIZOBI
A LOVE THAT NEVER DIES - ONLINE CHARITABLE SCREENING
Sat 21st Nov 8pm
All proceeds will be going to Children with Cancer UK and The Good Grief Project.
This is a live streamed event. It will be introduced by bereaved parents Deirdre & Liam Nolan and co-founders of the Good Grief Project, Jane Harris & Jimmy Edmonds. The film will be followed by a question and answer session.
The Woman Who Planted Trees
Tuesday 28th July at 7.00pm (online)
Musician Emily Barker and Filmmaker Joe Magee discuss their collaborative film - a music video shot in Stroud during lockdown for Emily's new single, The Woman Who Planted Trees, released this week. Emily and Joe will discuss the process of making the film and engage with Zoom viewers who have questions and thoughts about the film.
Secrets of a 1st A.D.
with Marcus Collier
Thursday 2nd July 8.00pm (online)
Marcus Collier is a film and TV 1st Assistant Director with 25 years’ experience in bringing ideas to our screens.
This role is central to all film and TV productions and yet sometimes receives little public attention.
Marcus has many fascinating stories and useful insights for those who are interested in or wish to be in the film industry. Marcus will answer your questions about everything to do with being a 1st A.D.
Marcus’ credits range from feature films through commercials and music videos to TV programmes like Eastenders and Casualty.
(Part of ‘Inside Film’, a series of online events with film industry professionals)
Let’s Talk Directing
With Marc Jobst
Wednesday 24th June 8.00pm (online)
Led by your questions and interests, Marc will be discussing all
aspects about the job of directing, drawing on experience from the
shows he's directed for studios ranging from Marvel, Netflix, Amazon,
NBC, Hulu and Paramount/Epix, through to BBC, Sky and ITV.
HOME
a collaborative journey on Wednesday 27th May 2020 7.30
“Hey Rainbow Man, what’s next? Where’s the pot of gold?” - Fizzy
cheekily asks Noah in the movie – but it’s also a question the
filmmakers are asking themselves. HOME uses music, rap, rhyme and
movement to tell the story of 3 young homeless people in Bristol. In
a unique event hosted by Stroud Film Festival and SVA in February, a
live pitch of the film was performed at the Goods Shed. It brought
passionate responses from the audience afterwards.
This new online event is for anyone interested in the film to
contribute to the on-going conversation about the story and how that
festival event is reshaping the movie.
A short film of the festival event, stills and mood boards will be
introduced by writer/director Marc Jobst (The Witcher, Daredevil,
Hannibal), who will also be joined by the performers. They will engage,
answer questions and discuss with everyone there on the progress of
the story, the film and its script.
“So, big deal, you got secrets. You think you the only one? Don’t
shrug me out Rainbow man”
When the pandemic cut short the Stroud Film Festival, some much-anticipated events were postponed. All seats were sold for the screening of Welcome to Goma at Stroud Brewery.
Now instead, The Open Wheel, Goma Cycling Club, Theatre in the Mill and Stroud Film Festival present:
Welcome to Goma with online discussion followed by 3 new short films
Friday 1 May at 7.30
Screening SCHEDULE:
7.30 Introduction on video followed by:
Welcome to Goma (13 mins) introduces you to Goma Cycling Club, a cycle group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a brilliant, uplifting and emotional ride. With its ground-breaking film making process, this film is a self-portrait of a cycle club and a city living in the shadows of a volcano, conflict and poverty. A short film with a massive heart.
The film has been produced, edited and directed by The Open Wheel in collaboration with GCC members who have done all the filming, sound recording, interviews and storytelling.
‘a beautiful and uplifting short film’
7.45 Discussion and Q and A on Zoom (The Zoom link is available when you sign up for a free ticket at https://www.trybooking.co.uk/RSC)
8.15 Daniel: (5 mins) This film tells the encouraging story of Daniel Ishara, one of the club's top riders who has just signed for one of Rwanda's top pro teams Benediction Ignite, along with his friend and fellow countryman Loïc.
8.30 The Race: (5 mins) In Welcome to Goma we see some images from a road race in Rwanda. The Race provides the full narrative of the event that took place in July 2019 from the perspective of Arsene. At the time, the club were training in Rwanda in preparation for the Tour du Congo along with other members of the national team. The video however is not just about the race, but seeks to show the efforts made by the club to support their riders and compatriots as well as framing the club's journey on their preparation for the upcoming tour.
8.45 GCC Prepares for Covid-19: (5 mins) Given the urgency and relevancy of the current coronavirus pandemic we also wanted to give people a chance to see how this is affecting the club here in Goma. Charles Guy takes centre stage as he talks through the briefing the riders have received on how they can stay safe and encourage others to do the same.