Hebden Bridge Web

Monday, 1 April 2019

The first Hebden Bridge Film Festival was an great success

The first ever Hebden Bridge Film Festival (HBFF) took place from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 March and was an overwhelming success. It was announced at the end of the Festival that it will return next year.

Over the three days the festival showcased 12 films including Wild Rose, Eighth Grade Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story, The Fight and many more. The festival’s patron Maxine Peake, director /actress Jessica Hynes and star of the award winning Rafiki, Sheila Munyiva all took part in Q&A sessions alongside a rage of industry experts.

• Total attendance over the weekend was 2,261
• 200 passes sold out before the festival started
• The screening of Wild Rose completely sold out the 500 people capacity Hebden Bridge Picture House

The festival includes a range of awards, the winners were:

• Best Feature – Carmen and Lola
• Calrec Prize Best Short Film – We Are All Migrants
• Highly Commended Short Film – Birdwatching
• Fix and Goose Prize Best Young Director – Ladies Day
• Audience Award (Feature) – Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story
• Audience Award (Short) – What Happened To Evie

The 2020 Hebden Bridge Film Festival has been confirmed for 27-29 March 2020

Robin Tuddenham, Chief Executive of Calderdale Council said, "It was brave, bold and loads of fun. Well done to Louise and the team of volunteers for a brilliant first Hebden Bridge Film Festival. An audacious programme giving voice to those who are often unheard...Inspirational!"

Cllr. Dr Carol Stow, Mayor of Hebden Royd said, “The film festival bought a real buzz to the town. I met people quite literally from all around the country who had come to the town specifically for the festival and they were enjoying not only the films but also the shops and wonderful hospitality our town has to offer."

Louise Wadley, HBFF director, said “Apart from getting such amazing films and filmmakers to come to Hebden Bridge Film Festival, I am most proud that we got so many people who have never been to a film festival before.”

For further information about the film festival visit the Film Festival website.