Chippenham film festival a celebratory and emotional event

After the success of 2020’s pandemic-adapted online-version, the day saw large audiences coming to enjoy what was for many a first trip to the cinema since lockdown.

In partnership with REEL cinemas and Wiltshire College a fantastic programme of shorts and feature films was shown. Made possible by the kind sponsorship and support by local businesses, COBUY, TRACKSS, Atlas Gyms 24/7 , Emery Gate, Rivo Lounge and Shoestrings all so keen to promote creativity and celebrate new talent, Kandu was delighted to present a three fold programme.

The afternoon kicked off with big screen showings of short films made by first and second year students from Wiltshire College film and media students. All were hugely impressed by the quality and imagination behind these films and the student’s confidence in the following Q and A sessions with the audience.

Late afternoon some award winning and new films created by young film makers were shown for a slightly younger audience. These included the Craghoppers Best UK Short Film winner THE PEN – by Conor & Che Deedigan & Ynez Myers and an outing for the brand new film Im not mental, its Mental by Sam Burgess – exploring hidden disability.

As the day progressed the evening saw a nearly sell out performances of Kandu Arts feature films, shorts and music videos including Hazed by Kris Baker and Soul Sneeze with Will Lawton and the Alchemists.

Finally a wonderful 10th anniversary celebratory showing of Bash Street – produced by Kandu Arts for Sustainable Development and directed by Ed Deedigan and featuring over 100 members of the community. Premiering at this very cinema the Astoria in 2011 and shown at the Bath International Film Festival, the evening ended on an emotional and celebratory high. 

The full programme is available on Kandu Arts facebook page and organisers look forward to even bigger and better next year.