It’s now just over a month until the second No/Gloss Festival, Leeds’ first ever DIY film festival and, I’m not going to lie, I’m just a little bit excited.
We all know about the glitz and the glamour that’s so abundant in the mainstream film industry. The red carpets, the self-congratulatory awards ceremonies (which now seem to now last longer than most films), the gossip, the tantrums and the awesome might of the Hollywood merchandising machine (Jar Jar Binks Tongue Lolly anyone?). Well how about we strip all the excess and get back to what matters – the films.
This is what No/Gloss is all about. Low and no budget films from independent film-makers based both here and internationally. On offer is cinema that aims to defy both convention and expectation. The festival’s ethos alone was enough to pique my interest, once I saw what was actually happening I pretty much lost any semblance of self-restraint. Now everyone I meet is told incessantly to drop any plans they have for the 19th and 20th of October and to buy a ticket. Friends have been lost, family members now blank me and strangers look at the ground as they walk past me (this to be fair represents no real change to what happened previously) but I maintain that my suffering is for the greater good.
On top of an incredible number of screenings, far too many to go into here, the festival also includes (deep breath):
- A workshop on making your first short film from director Christian Sinclair
- A workshop on time lapsing techniques form director of photography Tom Chimiak
- Live art creation from the Black Rose Collective
- Food and drink from Brewdog, Bar Burrito and Crowder Barbecue
- A vintage tea party from The Marvellous Tea Ladies
- Live video mixing from Tim Ineaux
- A secret afterparty with music from DJs Cosmic Slop
Although the early bird tickets were snapped up a while ago there are still some weekend tickets available, which, at £16, cost about the same as a ticket for one film, a medium popcorn and a drink from most multiplexes. As if this wasn’t enough the entire festival is in the incredible Canal Mills buildings, a fascinating place in which to watch some fascinating cinema.
As the adrenaline drains from my body I can see that I might be sounding a little pushy but this looks really good right? The chance to see films like this, and especially in this kind of venue, come along all too rarely – don’t pass it up.
No/Gloss Film Festival takes place on the 19th and 20th of October at Canal Mills, Leeds. You can find out more, view the full programme and buy your tickets (do it) here: noglossfilmfestival.co.uk.
Alternatively you can probably find me shouting about it on a random street corner.