Every November Leeds Film presents an event which has been described as a cultural behemoth and a jewel in the North, the Leeds International Film Festival. What many people don’t realise is that Leeds Film (the organisation behind the event) also presents a smaller festival (in more than one respect), the Leeds Young People’s Film Festival.
The Leeds Young People’s Film Festival launched 13 years ago and exists to promote international film to young people and families in the city. Film can be more than a form of entertainment and the Film Festival uses workshops and masterclasses to engage young people and families in filmmaking itself, alongside other entertainment forms such as gaming.
It would be easy to assume that the Young People’s Film Festival is the younger, less recognised sister of the International Film Festival. In many ways it has been overlooked by families who have found themselves choosing between city centre shows with recognisable TV characters and unknown international films screening at Hyde Park Picture House, but the calibre of programming speaks for itself and the event proudly stands at its home waiting to welcome back previous audiences and invite new audiences in to share it’s 13th birthday this year.
As a big fan of the International Film Festival, Leeds Film asked @gazpachodragon to express her thoughts on this year’s line up, here’s what she had to say:
I’m a really big fan of Leeds International Film Festival, and for a month of the year I give my life over to sitting in a darkened room reading subtitles. So when I heard that there was an offshoot festival aimed at showcasing films for young people, I was interested to see what the line-up would be.
Leeds Young People’s Film Festival, running 26th March to 5th April over two venues, has an awe-inspiring line-up. From unknown gems to classic favourites and with ratings from U to 15, there’s a real mix for everyone, and there’s also workshops with a film theme such foley effects or the science of movies.
Everything looks interesting, and I’ll be going to over 20 films throughout the festival, but here are my top picks:
Moomins and the Comet Chase
I love the moomins. I love them so much I have a moomin tattoo. So when I saw that the 2010 feature film was the opening gala I was thrilled. Based on the Comet in Moominland book, the film centres on a group of odd but loveable creatures who live in Moominvalley, and the adventures they get up to.
Labyrinth
If you’ve never seen this Jim Henson tale of the Goblin King (played by David Bowie in very tight tights) who steals a child from fantastical teenager Sarah, make it a must-see of the festival. If you’ve seen it before, you’ll know how funny and heartwarming it is, and how brilliant the songs are. Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, go and see this film.
The Cabin In The Woods
The festival isn’t just for little kids, and this early look at the much-anticipated new Joss Whedon film proves that. A ‘loving hate letter’ to the current trend for explicit horror, the film is going back to the good old days of horror, but with the guys behind Buffy and Cloverfield at the helm you know it will be something really new and exciting.
For more information about the Leeds Young People’s Film Festival visit their website www.leedsyoungfilm.com