The Commonwealth Film Festival’s highlights

ComFEST06 launches with over 200 films from all over the world!

Manchester’s fifth annual Commonwealth Film Festival (ComFEST06) gets
underway next month, offering film enthusiasts no less than 100 hours of quality international film and industry events at more than 12 accessible venues across the region.

“Not only will COMFEST06 provide a fascinating showcase for the talent of film makers from all over the Commonwealth, its dynamism and vibrancy will show that Manchester is yet again the place to be!” Robert Powell, Patron.

The event kicks off with the fantastic Canadian film, ‘Life With my Father’ on Friday 28th April at AMC Great Northern.

Among the nine different strands in this year’s festival are the galas featuring the crème de la crème from all over the world including India, Australia, UK, Québec and Canada.

Catering for gay and lesbian audiences, ‘Queer Screen’ offers a whole week-end of the latest of gay and lesbian shorts, documentaries and features.

Also featured is ‘Moves’, a selection of documentaries, stories and fables that features the crossover between performing arts and film.

Another of the festival highlights is ‘Direction Singapore’, which showcases features and short films from a country rich is culture.

Music lovers will be queuing for ‘Collision’, a celebration of music meeting film in a collection of multimedia performances, music promos and experiment.

Meanwhile, ‘Bad Blood: Part I and II’ caters for those who love the blood and gore of horror movies.

Special events include an RSA discussion on digital distribution, a screenwriting Masterclass, a creative brunch and much more… Local Heroes’ Night is dedicated to emerging filmmakers in the North West.

Last year’s festival attracted a combined audience of 6,000 from as far a field as Liverpool and Cambridge, generating an estimated millions of pounds to the visitor economy.

Peter Fell, Director of Regional and Economic Affairs at the University of Manchester and Chairman of the Board for ComFEST, says: “As well as contributing to Manchester reputation as a crucible of artistic excellence, the festival continues to have a growing impact on the City’s economy which should not be underestimated.”

Full details of the programme can be found at www.commonwealthfilm.com/screenings2006.asp