THE Keswick Film Festival enjoyed a record-breaking turnout this year with over 1,600 tickets sold, selling out the Alhambra Cinema six times.
The locally filmed Between the Lights to the closing film Monster drew large audiences from the opening night.
Oscar contenders The Zone of Interest and American Fiction were popular but io Capitano, Italy’s shortlisted Oscar contender, which took the audience on two young men’s harrowing journey from Senegal to the shores of Italy truly captured the audience's hearts.
Screened at Rheged, the Audience Award went to Mexico's Tótem, following the story of a young girl preparing for the final birthday party of her terminally-ill father.
In Saturday’s Osprey Short Film Awards, it was Barrow’s Signal Film and Media that swept the board, winning the Student Category, Open Category and Audience Award. Misjudged, was crafted by the creative minds of first-time filmmakers aged 8-11 at Signal Starters, who were supported by Children in Need.
Moreover, the festival gained international attention thanks to a flattering piece in the Teheran Times after they featured two films, Melody and Maman, recommended by last year’s guest, Hassan Nazer.
Festival director, Ian Payne said: "The festival seems to go from strength to strength, with old faces coming back each year plus new faces who have cottoned on to what an enjoyable weekend it can be.
"The combination of David Miller’s film choices and the warm Keswick welcome from volunteers and local businesses make for an unbeatable combination.’
"Now we start to plan for our 25th anniversary next year – watch this space," he said.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here