The North East International Film Festival (NEIFF) is set to return from November 18-24, 2024, with an expanded program and new initiatives aimed at enhancing the festival experience for attendees and participants alike.
In an exclusive interview, the festival organizer Lisa-Marie revealed that NEIFF 2024 will extend its geographical footprint to include screenings and events across various venues in the North Shields Cultural Quarter.
“This expansion, supported by funding from the North East Combined Authority, aims to provide more cultural offerings in previously underrepresented areas in the arts and allow filmmakers and audiences to explore more of the region really. I think also, having the wider outposts ensures wider accessibility”
For the 2024 North East International Film Festival (NEIFF), thanks to extra funding, new venues added will enhance the festival experience. Some of those include, notably, Live Theatre Newcastle, which will serve as a venue for Official Selection screenings. Additionally, the festival will continue to utilise a variety of established venues across the region, including Star & Shadow Cinema, Culture Lab, Everyman Cinema, Jam Jar Cinema in Whitley Bay, Gala Durham, and Showcase Cinema De Lux in Teesside. This diverse selection aims to provide attendees with both intimate and larger cinematic experiences, highlighting the vibrant arts scene of the North East.
NEIFF has also always been unique in many ways, one of them being that it is the only festival to host an awards gala with welcome drinks, 3 course dinner, table wine, entertainment and custom made award trophies. And now, one of the key new elements for the 2024 festival will include an Industry Networking Breakfast, complementing the the festival’s existing offerings, such as the popular Networking Party,which takes place on the eve of Friday 22nd November and “really is a night to remember! This just further goes on to show how food always acts as the binding agent to bring people together. Lisa-Marie talks at length about the submission criteria, their vision for the Festival in coming years, and notable attendees from previous years.
Full Interview here!
The NEIFF Film & TV Quiz is also being introduced, which shall be free, open to everyone and is to be hosted in a beautiful bar by the Quay on the evening of Saturday 23rd November. Cash prizes and bar tabs are up for grabs!
The free Documentary Filmmaking Course, workshops, and Q&A sessions, also be on offer.
The festival’s growing reputation is reflected in its recent accolades, including becoming a qualifying festival for BIFA feature films and receiving two recognition awards at the Cinema For All Awards. The organizer expressed pride in the strong relationships built with attending filmmakers, noting a trend of returning participants and word-of-mouth recommendations. She also mentioned reveiving 2 recognition awards at the Cinema For All Awards, which as an entirely volunteer-led CIC, reliant solely on grants, sponsorship and funding to deliver events is a huge feat. And this year NEIFF had been invited to create a matched crowdfunding campaign through Spacehive.
“The results of this campaign were incredibly humbling and it was wonderful to witness the interest and support for what we do.”
Pictures shared by NEIFF Press TeamPictures shared by NEIFF Press Team
Further, NEIFF continues to prioritise its thorough and transparent submissions process, with the deadline extended to September 30th, 2024.
“The festival is expecting a 30% growth in overall attendance and aims for a 70% increase in student engagement through strengthened partnerships with our lovely university and college partners.”
As the only festival in the region to offer local filmmakers qualifying status, NEIFF plays a crucial role in promoting the North East as a cultural and creative hub. The festival not only showcases quality independent films but also provides distribution opportunities and connects audiences with filmmakers through in-person Q&A sessions. And with its international status, NEIFF is all set to attract visitors from around the world to experience both the festival and the North East region.
“The NEIFF covers the cost of attendance at this event for one Filmmaker from each Officially Selected film (to give you an idea, last year we screened nearly 150). It is important to us that our Filmmakers are properly celebrated for their achievements.”
Pictures shared by NEIFF Press TeamPictures shared by NEIFF Press Team
With its diverse program of shorts and features, free educational workshops, and international appeal, the North East International Film Festival continues to establish itself as a key player in the UK’s film festival circuit.
Attendees can visit neiff.co.uk to access ticketing information and make reservations for the various screenings and events scheduled.
