Isle of Man Guide

The Isle of Man Arts Council is pleased to announce that the fourth Isle of Man Film Festival will take place from Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th September. This year’s festival is supported by Barclays Wealth and will include the popular outdoor cinema event ‘Under the Stars’, a showcase evening of short films, completion for the title of Young FilmMaker of Mann and the open competition for Short Films.

The Festival has been gaining in popularity since its introduction in 2007. The Under the Stars outdoor cinema featuring a 40 foot screen returns for 2010; this year’s films are the family favourite ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (PG) and ‘Sex and the City 2’ (15) and, as with previous years, the audience is invited to arrive early and bring a picnic.

The 2010 Festival starts on Thursday 9th with a showcase evening featuring a tremendous line of up short films and excerpts with introductions by the film makers themselves.

Saturday 11th will feature the showcase for The Young FilmMaker of Mann and Short Film competitions at the Manx Museum. The Young FilmMaker of Mann, a competition for under 23 year olds, has been running for seven years and has been won by film makers as young as 12 years old. The open competition for Short Films, which is in its third year, has attracted some incredibly exciting entries and demonstrates the wealth of film making talent on the Island.

Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure said: “We are very excited to announce the fourth Isle of Man Film Festival. There are a number of different film events that should provide something for all ages and interest groups to enjoy. I am grateful for and recognise the key support of Barclays Wealth for this year’s Festival. The Young Film Maker of Mann and Short Film competitions are rightly key parts of the event and I have no doubt that the standard of entries will again be very high.

As always we are expecting the Under the Stars events to be very popular and the two films chosen are two of the most well known of the year so we are hoping to attract record numbers! Doors open one hour before each film so come along early and enjoy the atmosphere. Don’t forget to bring along your rug, deckchair and picnic!”

Greg Ellison, Managing Director of Barclays Wealth said: ‘We are delighted to support the Isle of Man Film Festival for its fourth anniversary. The line-up for this year’s festival looks very exciting and it is fantastic that young local film makers are nurtured and supported in the Young Film Maker of Mann and Short Film competitions. The Isle of Man Film Festival sponsorship further demonstrates Barclays Wealth’s commitment to the arts on the Isle of Man and I am very much looking forward to attending the event with my family this year.’

Full timetable of events is as follows: Thursday 9th September Mannin Shorts - Film Showcase - Local independent film makers introduce and discuss their short films; includes ‘Ghostgirl’ introduced by Dave Armstrong. Starts 6.30pm Broadway Cinema, Douglas Tickets £6.50 Concessions £5 from the Welcome Centre or the Ticket Hotline Tel: 600555.

Friday 10th September Under the Stars - ‘How to train your Dragon’ (Cert PG) Gates Open 7pm film starts at 8pm light permitting. Tickets £8 and £6 concessions from the Welcome Centre or the Ticket Hotline Tel: 600555 Under 13 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday 11th September Young Film Maker of Mann and Short Film competition Showcase and Presentations. Starts 3pm Manx Museum, Douglas. Free entry Saturday 11th September Under the Stars - ‘Sex and the City 2’ (Cert 15) Gates open 7.30pm film starts 8.30pm light permitting. Tickets £8 and £6 concessions from the Welcome Centre or the ticket hotline Tel: 600555 Tickets for Under the Stars must be bought in advance; ticket sales will not be possible at the Nunnery on the night.

Further information about Film Festival events, or entry forms for either film competition, can be obtained from the Arts Council on 694598 or at www.iomarts.com.

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