What’s it all about?
Spotlight Sunderland
“Over the next three years (to April 2026) we are focusing on Sunderland as one of the largest districts in the North with little independent cinema provision since the closure of the City’s mainstream cinema. We are working with a number of partners in Sunderland, including Sunderland Shorts, Sunderland Culture, the University of Sunderland, and Sunderland Council, to develop an independent film-going culture across the city region, including community cinemas and pop-up screenings.”
Huttson Lo (Film Hub North)
Previous Events
The Old Oak + Q&A with Actor Claire Rogerson
December 13th 2023 (Arts Centre Washington)
The Old Oak is directed by Ken Loach, written by Paul Laverty and produced by Rebecca O’Brien, and completes their unofficial North East trilogy following acclaimed films including Sorry We Missed You and I, Daniel Blake.
In an unlikely friendship, the landlord of an ailing local pub TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner) meets a curious young Syrian Yara (Ebla Mari) with her camera. Can they find a way for the two communities to understand each other? So unfolds a deeply moving drama about their fragilities and hopes.
Typist Artist Pirate King + Q&A with Director Carol Morley
Oct 28th 2023 (The Fire Station)
Typist Artist Pirate King puts forgotten Sunderland-born artist Audrey Amiss on the map. Inspired by her extensive archive of diaries, letters and art, the film weaves real events into an imagined journey as Audrey goes on a road trip with her psychiatric nurse.
From acclaimed British filmmaker, Carol Morley, this dark and funny exploration of the growing friendship between two women as they hit the road in an electric car looking for reconciliation, is filled with adventure, humour and compassion.
Best of the Fest + 2023 Preview Screening
Sept 14th 2023 (Seventeen Nineteen)
The 1st of our Spotlight events gave audiences a preview of what to expect in the 8th edition of Sunderland Shorts Film Festival with a special Pay What You Feel screening celebrating some of our favourite submissions from last year while previewing some fantastic selections from our 2023 line-up!
This event was hosted by Sam Costello from the local Newcastle Film Club and we were joined by Huttson Lo from Film Hub North to launch the project.
About Film Hub North
Film Hub North works on behalf of the BFI to increase access to cultural film (British, independent and international films) across the UK. We are based at HOME in Manchester and Showroom Workstation in Sheffield, and support more than 350 member organisations across the North of England, from Kendal to Hull, Berwick and Alnwick to Chester, and everywhere in between, ranging from community cinemas and film societies to multi-artform cultural centres.