Fakenham’s first film festival is proving popular. The first night was a sell-out with only one ticket left. The programme featured the touching film based in Cromer, Seaside Special as well as short films of the history of Fakenham and a locally made film of the 2024 Fakenham Riverside Festival, Duck and Cardboard Raft Races.

Andy Lawson , the Fakenham Central Cinema Manager said, “We were very pleasantly surprised. For a Tuesday evening in September the turnout was fantastic. We hope people will support the films over the next three Tuesdays. Films start at 7.00pm and booking is available on our website and the Active Fakenham website. It’s very positive to see local people supporting their local cinema. Tickets are only £5”

Richard Crook from Active Fakenham said, “Many local people were able to see themselves and there are many local landmarks to recognise. Each main feature is supported by locally made short films starring people from Fakenham and the surrounding villages. It’s fun to see yourself on the big screen and anyone who has attended an Active Fakenham event since 2014 may find themselves on the screen”. Details are on the Active Fakenham website and social media.

The festival is taking place in the Central Cinema Fakenham over four Tuesday evenings from the 17^th September to the 8^th October. Films are themed around North Norfolk and Fakenham.. It also showcases some work by talented local film makers. 

At the first screening there was a “Red Carpet” event where many people took the opportunity to have their photograph taken by a professional photographer for free. Photos are on the Active Fakenham website.

On Tuesday 24^th September the main feature is “Glorious 39” A mysterious drama starring Julie Christie, Bill Nighy, David Tennant and Eddie Redmayne. Locations include Castle Acre, Walsingham Abbey and Salthouse. The short films, made by local videographer Hannah Brodie for Active Fakenham, include Fakenham Music Festival 2017, the Fakenham Easter Sunday Funday 2019 together with some short films from the archive.

“Chicklit “ showing on the 1^st October features the Hunny Bell, Holt Bookshop, Blakeney and more. Short films include a new film of the 2024 Ride North Norfolk and the 2014 Fakenham Shopkeepers Olympics.

The final performance on the 8^th October has a fascinating documentary about Norfolk’s love of cinema. “The Final Reel” is narrated by john Hurt and features footage from the East Anglian Film Archive. Before this there is a film by local film maker a Norfolk-based sound effects editor, Chris Richmond “A night at the pictures: Fakenham Central cinema” which looks at the history and idiosyncrasies of the Fakenham, Cinema. There may also be other films from the archives.

The Festival is being supported by local groups including the Fakenham Film Society and the Fakenham and District Community Archive. The main feature films are subsidised by Creative Arts East and the festival is sponsored by Aldiss and Stephenson Smart Accountants.

More information and details are on the Active Fakenham website and social media.

 

Richard Crook 07887 803091 richard@activefakneham.org.uk

Cinema           Andy 01328 088620 cinemafakenham@yahoo.com