When: 24th – 29th September 2018
Where: In and around the town of Chagford, Devon
£: Ticket prices vary, depending on the event. Some events are free
What is it?
Devon’s unique film festival returns this month, with quirky workshops, pet and sing-along screenings and a circus themed street event. The Chagford Film Festival, the only film festival on Dartmoor, will run from Monday 24th to Saturday 29th September at venues throughout the town.
In a departure from previous years, the festival will launch on the Monday evening, with an extravaganza hosted by the world-famous Brittonioni Brothers. For the first time in five years, the Brittonioni Brothers will present their Forkbeard Fantasy blend of film and live theatre. The Brothers will also return later in the week to host a workshop on inter-acting film with performance.
Tuesday will be the 69th birthday of legendary Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, so the festival will be celebrating with three of his films, a tapas meal and a birthday cake.
Wednesday will be a day of commemorating the centenary of the end of the first world-war. Award winning director Stephen Saunders will be presenting his film War Above The Trenches, which also marks the founding of the Royal Air Force. A rebuilt Bristol Scout aircraft, that flew during the Gallipoli campaign in 1918, will be on display at historic Chagford House from Tuesday to Thursday. The team who re-built her will be in attendance to present the film of the project, which was also directed by Saunders.
Wednesday evening will provide the family highlight of the week when mother and daughter partnership Jennifer Saunders and Beattie Edmondson, appear at Jubilee Hall to introduce their very recent film Patrick, a feel-good comedy about a dog. Saunders and Edmondson will also be answering questions afterwards.
To continue with the dog theme, one of Thursday’s highlights will be Wes Anderson’s 2018 animation film Isle of Dogs… with a twist. The audience are invited to bring their canine companions, with water and biscuits provided, instead of popcorn and ice cream. More serious shows that day will include the Hedy Lamarr biopic Bombshell, an informative and entertaining presentation by the British Board of Film Classification, and a film of the modern ballet 1984, shown in the atmospheric St. Michael’s Church.
The festival will welcome Oscar-winning film editor Chris Dickens, who won his Academy Award for Slumdog Millionaire, to speak on Friday. Dickens will talk about his life in films, which range from Les Miserables to Shaun of the Dead, followed by a screening of one of his lesser known films, Suite Francaise. This French theme will continue throughout the day with a full French menu at the Old Forge (or should that be La Vielle Forge) and silent screenings of the classic film Julie & Julia, throughout the day.
The first part of the final day is firmly aimed at children. The Lego Movie will be shown late-morning in Jubilee Hall, but everyone is invited to come and play with thousands of Lego bricks provided by ‘Brick and Mix’ before and after the film.
Meanwhile throughout Saturday, the festival will be gearing up for the Grande Finale, with everyone invited to join a circus themed street event prior to showing of The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman. There will be a black-tie and drinks reception prior to the film, in The Globe Cinema. There will also be the chance to join in with a sing-a-long version in Endacott House.
More info: chagfordfilmfestival.com
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