Anything Cannes can do…

Since its inception four years ago, The South Coast Film Festival has gone from strength to strength. Indeed, this year showings have moved out of the Electric Palace cinema to the larger venue of the Stables. It may not (yet) be Cannes or Sundance, and the Bourne may not be La Croisette nor Hastings Park City, but our local cine-fest has big ambitions.

2022 will feature local film-makers and writers as well as entries from across the globe, with participants from as far afield as LA and Peru confirmed to attend. The festival is the brainchild of Francis Saunders, a local filmmaker actor who started it after winning a script award in Cannes for The Window Box. As he says: “I wanted to create a festival for everyone. We have categories for high production, independents, down to smartphones. The festival has reached the stage where producers from Channel 4 are entering films”. The thriller Splinter starring Jane Asher and Coronation Street star Bill Fellows will be showing.

There will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards for Short Films, Documentaries, Features, and Smart Phone Films. Also, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Newcomer (in any category/role). Scripts – both feature and short film.

With over 60 entries, winners will be announced on the day and awards presented by the Mayor of Hastings at a special closing ceremony.

• The festival is sponsored by Dugout Cafe and Amor Vitor Clothing and takes place on 26 November at the Stables Theatre Hastings from 11am to 7pm. Tickets are £10. Info from filmfreeway.com/Southcoastfilmfestival