The 2011 Minghella Film Festival is only four weeks away now and things are hotting up behind the scenes.
We’re pleased to announced that as of today, tickets for all events are going on sale.
Since its launch in 2009, the festival has grown in popularity with this year’s event looking just as inspiring as previous years.
Premiere screening of The Eagle
As usual the festival kicks off with a film premiere. This year, the honour is taken by The Eagle, a feature length film directed by Kevin Macdonald and starring Donald Sutherland, Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell.
The Eagle was produced by Anthony Minghella’s close friend, Duncan Kenworthy who also produced Love Actually, Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Opening night celebrations include a post-screening party at Newport’s The William Coppin, with an eight-piece band and dancing into the early hours. Full details over on Events OnTheWight.
Weekend retrospective
As well as entries from the International Short Film Festival, the weekend will also feature a retrospective of Mingehlla’s contributions as a producer (including Academy Award® winning films The Reader and Iris, and the world premiere of Entropic of Cancer – a trilogy of short films directed by Cassius Matthias).
We hear that there’ll also be a very welcome short programme of classic Italian cinema, including Fellini’s I Vitelloni and 8½, which Minghella adapted with Michael Tolkin for the 2009 film, Nine.
Misfits present young Islander’s prize
As mentioned previously on VB, this year sees the debut of a newcomer’s gala event, a showcase for short films made by young islanders on the theme of ‘Comic Relief’.
The new strand was inspired by Anthony Minghella’s support for the charity as director of Comic Relief films Days Like These and We Don’t Want It: Drop the Debt. The prizegiving will be presented by actors Robert Sheehan (Misfits, and the upcoming Killing Bono) and Lauren Socha (Misfits).
Weekender pass
A weekender pass is being sold this year for just £10. It will get you into all the daytime screenings and conversations (starting before 6pm) on a first-come, first-served basis.
All tickets can be purchased through the Quay Arts Website and we’ll have more details of specific events coming up on VB over the next few days, including details of brunch with Mr Mushroom, Italian cookery writer Antonio Carluccio.
It’s going to be a great weekend.
Image: © Julian Winslow
