Welcome to Harrogate Film Festival

Blog written by Adam Chandler, Director of Reel Film and the founder of Harrogate Film Festival.

I would like to personally welcome you to the Harrogate Film Festival website and also to all that we have to offer.

So, in a nutshell, what kind of festival will this be? Harrogate Film Festival is an exciting new event that will delight film-watchers and film-makers alike. The festival welcomes audiences to venues in and around the historic town of Harrogate and goes beyond the screen to provide innovative film-based experiences. It also provides film-makers an opportunity to showcase their work, develop their skills and learn from experts.

Harrogate Film Festival launches in 2016 and becomes a major town event in March 2017 aiming to be among the best known and best loved film festivals in the UK in the forthcoming years.

Harrogate Film Festival is an idea which started two years ago; a unique partnership between public, private and voluntary sectors.

We will be starting this year with three 'warm-up' events to get you all geared up for the big event...

On Sunday 20th November 2016 we visit Ashville College where we screen Ghostbusters. Bring your children along as we create some arts and crafts and come dressed as your best ghost!

Something for the adults, we will be taking over the Restaurant Bar & Grill on 24th November to screen Ocean's Eleven. Come on down to the casino suited and booted, enjoy a three course meal and dish the dosh on the casino tables to a live band before watching this classic.

Finally, on the 4th of December we hold Agatha Afternoon at the Old Swan Hotel on the 70th anniversary of her disappearance to the exact date. Come down in your best frock and enjoy the atmosphere as we screen one of the best novels, Murder on the Orient Express.

All this is in the lead up to our inaugural main festival on March 3rd, 4th and 5th 2017. We will be holding events across the town from more experience events, workshops for filmmakers and actors, screening independent cinema from around the world and also holding a number of events around this years festival theme - the future of film.

Six competitions will be running across the festival weekend in the genres of drama, comedy, thriller, romance, music and documentary. With over 300 submissions from over 30 countries already this independent film competition is sure to be a cracker and it is still open for submission! 

We visit venues such as Harrogate Theatre's HIVE, The Crown Hotel, Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate's latest social hangout Revolution De Cuba and many more to be announced soon.

Keep your eyes peeled for more events to be added soon to an already varied programme.

This festival would not be possible without our sponsors, from the creation of video from Reel Film, box office by Harrogate Theatres, social media managed by Bee Social Marketing and input from Harrogate Film Society we thank each and everyone. Please take a look at all of our sponsors here as we encourage other local businesses to get involved and stage events with us.

Finally, we encourage all the residents and filmmakers of Harrogate and the surrounding areas to 'Join In' with the festival by taking part in an experience, learning how to make films or attending an event.

Tickets are now on sale for our warm-up events and selected main festival events which can be booked at Harrogate Theatre Box Office on the phone on 01423 502116 or in person at the Box Office. They can also be booked online through our events pages at www.harrogatefilm.co.uk.

We look forward to seeing you at an event soon!