As preparations get underway to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Keswick Film Festival, organisers are inviting film lovers to nominate their favourite movies from the festival’s past 25 years, with the top ones being selected for special showings at the anniversary festival in March 2025.
The Festival has attracted an incredible range of movies over the years, amongst them Oscar winners, family films and documentaries. The list includes the likes of: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Amelie, Whale Rider, Million Dollar Baby, No Country for Old Men, 12 Years a Slave, Manchester by the Sea and Rocks, with the full list available at www.keswickfilmclub.org/festival
Festival director Ian Payne commented: “Keswick Film Festival has a very loyal and dedicated audience who are particularly vocal about the types of films they love. We’re always being asked to bring back ‘more of the same’ so for our 25th anniversary we listened to what was asked for and we’re asking our followers to choose their favourite from an incredible list of the biggest movies of the past 25 years. They can vote online, and we’ll screen the most popular choices”.
In addition to showcasing the best of the past, Keswick Film Festival has always looked to the future and championed local filmmakers. Entries are now open for the Osprey Short Film Awards at the 25th Keswick Film Festival in March. These awards are open to any film that is under 10 minutes in duration and has a significant connection to Cumbria. The best movies, selected by a panel of judges, will be screened at the Festival in March. Entries can be made via FilmFreeway and the closing date is 12th January 2025.
The anniversary year will see some of its most diverse range of movies to date from right across the globe including Iran, Palestine, France, Finland and China, plus of course, some British films, with an anticipated 25 movies in total. Festival organisers are hoping that this selection will attract a new, younger audience to join in with the dedicated followers who return each year.
Amongst the genres are gritty dramas, family movies, animations and short films.
A celebration of independent films, Keswick Film Festival brings small budget movies to the big screen, showcasing films that are often heartwarming, thought-provoking and important pieces of work, created by talented individuals.
Keswick Film Festival works with independent local businesses to screen the movies in often quirky and historical settings. Films for 2025 will be screened across three locations within the Keswick area including Theatre by the Lake, Keswick Alhambra and Rheged.
