#toff2018

I had the pleasure of meeting Sir Kenneth Branagh recently as an Into Film Young reporter who was hosting a screening of Thor at my school.  He gave an inspiring introduction and told about his journey of loving to read the comic growing up and now that he has directed the film. 

I also attended an event at the Ulster Hall where Branagh accepted the keys to the city of Belfast.  It was a magical evening which included a phenomenal performance from Branagh of his famous monologue from Henry V. - Daniella.

QFT’s young programmers present its ninth Takeover Film Festival, from 23-25 February, kindly supported by N.I. Community Relations Council.

This year’s festival theme ‘Caught in the Crossfire’ is  aimed at 15 + audiences, screening new feature and short films, anime, documentary, and Q & A’s and masterclasses at QFT Belfast.

The programme which explores youth and identity will be introduced by the Takeover Film club members.  Student film tickets only £4.00. 

Advance booking from QFT Belfast queensfilmtheatre.com 

OPENING NIGHT

ELIÁN +  Q&A WITH TREVOR BIRNEY (NORTHERN IRELAND PREMIERE)

FRI 23 FEB, 6.20PM.

Executive produced by Alex Gibney, Takeover is delighted to welcome award-winning producer and director Trevor Birney, who produced Elián, to this N. Ireland premiere screening.

An impressive and relevant new documentary, Elián tells the unbelievable true story of Elian Gonzales, a boy caught between two nations when his home nation of Cuba demands he be returned after gaining asylum in the US. - JP

DIR:  TIM GOLDEN, ROSS MCDONNELL. IRELAND/USA. 2017. 1 HR 48 MINS. RECOMMENDED 12A. PARTIALLY SUBTITLED

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FISH TANK

SAT 24 FEB, 6.20PM.

‘Life’s a b*tch until you die’ are the truthful words from rapper Nas that echo through academy award winning director Andrea Arnold’s ‘Fish Tank’. A gritty depiction of teenage life in an Essex tower block about 15 year old Mia (Katie Jarvis)  living in a cramped environment with her mother and sister. Mia’s true form of escapism is dance which she is further inspired to pursue after the arrival of Conor (Michael Fassbender), her mother’s new boyfriend. – Thomas.

DIR: ANDREA ARNOLD. UK. 2009. 2HRS 3 MINS. CERT 15.

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TAKEOVER SHORT FILM SHOWCASE

SAT 24 FEB, 1.30PM

This short film showcase with Takeover Film’s cast and crew is free and open to the public. A good opportunity for young people interested in film to meet Takeover Film club members and find out more about QFT’s young programmers film club.

Bets Off  (13 mins) is the latest Takeover short film drama devised and shot last summer.

FREE ADMISSION. RECOMMENDED 15 YRS +.

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SHORT FILM PACKAGE ‘CAUGHT IN THE CROSS FIRE’

SAT 24 FEB, 2.30PM

A great opportunity to see some of Takeover’s best picks of recent local and international shorts on the big screen, including Aamir  (17 mins), In a Heartbeat (4 mins),  The Hidden People (6 mins), Time and Again (14 mins), Wild Horses (26 mins), Fighter (7 mins), Oksijan (18 mins) and Sis (11 mins). More film details here.

RUNNING TIME1 HR 12 MINS.  RECOMMENDED 15 yrs +  

SPECIAL TICKET PRICE £3.00.

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EMPIRE OF THE SUN

SUN 25 FEB, 2.30PM

Empire of the Sun, adapted from J.G Ballard’s novel, is Steven Spielberg's poignant study of childhood, maturity and war set during World War Two. This is a deeply moving classic for all ages stars John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson and Nigel Havers and a young Christian Bale. Although a box office disappointment on its release in 1987, it is now loved and revered across generations. An unforgettable cinematic experience. – Matthew.

DIR: STEVEN SPIELBERG. US. 1987. 2 HRS 33 MINS. CERT PG

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ANIME A SILENT VOICE

SUN 25 FEB, 1.30PM.

This beautifully animated film by female director Naoko Yamada is based on the manga series written by woman author Yoshitoki Oima, serialised in Weekly Shonen Magazine, for boys. The film centres around Shôya who bullies classmate Shoko because of her hearing impairment. Years later, wracked with guilt, Shôya tries to find Shoko who had to move to a new school.  A heart warming and thought provoking anime about regret, reflection and atonement. - Max. 

Japanese language with English subtitles.

DIR: NAOKO YAMADA. JAPAN. 2016.  2HRS 10 MINS. cert: 12A.

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CLOSING FILM

PRINCESS CYD

(NORTHERN IRELAND PREMIERE)

SUN 25 FEB, 5.40PM.

When 16-year-old Cyd is sent to stay with her aunt Miranda, the two quickly form a close bond. She soon meets Katie, a young barista and their relationship blossoms. Princess Cyd explores the relationship between Cyd and Miranda, who are equally as compassionate and awkward as they are grieving and dealing with loss. Their complexity makes the this coming of age film unmissable, and creates two strong female characters that young women can relate to.  – Lauren

DIR: STEPHEN CONE. US. 2017. 1HR 36 MINS. RECOMMENDED 15+

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MASTERCLASSES

This year our filmmaking masterclasses with professional homegrown Northern Irish talent will be particularly useful for young filmmakers and students starting or developing their filmmaking career. Participants should be 16 yrs and above. Tickets only £8.00. Advance booking advised as places are limited.

PRODUCING MASTERCLASS WITH OISÍN KEARNEY

SAT 24 FEB, 2.30PM-4PM.

Oisín is a self-shooting Producer and Director of feature documentaries and factual television. He was associate producer on 'Elián', which was long-listed for an Oscar and is being shown during the festival. During this masterclass, Oisín will share his first-hand experience of how local young filmmakers can develop their portfolios and get film projects funded.

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SCREENWRITING MASTERCLASS WITH STUART DRENNAN

SUN 25 FEB, 2.30PM-4PM.

Do you have a script or film idea that you would like to perfect?

Stuart Drennan is a professional writer, film producer and managing partner of Wolfhound Media Ltd. He has written and directed award winning short films and television dramas, including Hollyoaks, 6 Degrees and Seacht. Stuart’s feature debut as a screenwriter, ‘The Dig’, is currently in post-production and will premiere in 2018.

A great opportunity to see some of Takeover’s best picks of recent local and international shorts on the big screen.

FIGHTER

Dir: Bugsy Steel. 2017. UK. 7 mins

Ten minutes before a boxing match, a teenage boxer with Downs Syndrome fights for his right to get in the ring.

AAMIR

Dir: Vika Evdokimenko. 2017. UK. 17 mins

13 year old Aamir has fled his home and been separated from his family only to be stranded alone in one of Europe's unofficial refugee camps.

IN A HEARTBEAT

Dir: Esteban Bravo and Beth David. 2017. US. 4 mins

An animated short film about a teenage boy with a crush on another pupil, and his heart's desire to be with him.

THE HIDDEN PEOPLE

Dir: Ronan Corrigan. 2017. UK/Ireland. 6 mins

A teenage boy goes on a quest to prove the existence of the Cottingley Fairies in an attempt to connect with his late mother.

WILD HORSES

Dir: Rory Alexander Stewart. 2017. UK. 26 mins

Joan’s efforts at teenage rebellion are frustrated by her illness and her overbearing Mother, until her increasingly vivid dreams and an overzealous tutor inspire her to realise her independence.

TIME AND AGAIN

Dir: Aidan Largey. 2015. N. Ireland. 13 mins

Local short about a child genius who enlists his best friend to build a time machine, in a foolhardy attempt to escape his distant father and connect with the mother he never knew.

OKSIJAN.

Dir: Edward Watts. 2017. UK. 19 mins. Partially subtitled.

Independent narrative film by Emmy award winning director tells the true story of an Afghan boy who saved 15 refugees from suffocation as they were smuggled to the UK in a lorry.

SIS

Dir: Deborah Haywood. 2011. UK/Ireland. 11 mins

When Lauren and Amy hear there is a man who “likes children” living in the area, they decide to track him down.