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General Features

You are in: Birmingham > Features > General Features > Film Festival at Mono Bar

Tamsin in her latest film

Tamsin in her latest film Window

Film Festival at Mono Bar

Actress Tamsin Hunt wanted her work to be seen – so she put on a Film Festival herself. Find out how it all went.

After graduating from East 15 Acting School last year, Tamsin returned to Birmingham and has now worked on several film projects.

The Window

The Window

After finishing her latest film 'Window' she realised there wasn’t always an opportunity for the cast and crew to get together and celebrate the finished product, or an outlet to show it to a wider audience.

After promising friends and family that they would be able to see the films, she decided to organise a mini film festival.

Find out just how it went at the bottom of the page.

A lot of talent out there

She invited local artists to show their short films, show reels and music.

The Window

The Window

Tamsin said: "I wanted to turn it into an event where people trying to break into their chosen careers got the opportunity to network, and most importantly a chance to show our films to industry professionals who may influence and consider us for future projects.

"I decided to stage the event at Mono Bar. I chose a bar as opposed to a theatre to create a social, casual, relaxed environment, where people can arrive and depart as they wish and a place where the public will feel welcome."

Fellow actor Simon Lewis Marriott who got interested in short film-making while doing a course at Birmingham School of Acting, has been helping Tamsin arrange the event.

Simon explained: "The screening night was the brainchild of Tamsin. She sought out the content for the evening and secured the venue. I worked on spreading the word about the event and also tried to make sure I'd invited 'the right industry people' so they could see the talent behind the films."

There are a wide range of films on show, from student films to those made by filmmakers already developing in the profession, with varying budgets and tastes catered for.

Straight from Cannes

Two of the films 'Stand Up' and 'Lycanthropy' were recently shown at the Cannes Film Festival.

The Window

The Window

A few of the trailers are seeking funding for feature films and there's a promotion video for a theatre company going to the Edinburgh Festival this year.

The music is from an up and coming artist named 'Metz' and a band who where voted the BBC's band of the month in December 2006, 'Barkerhound'.

So what are the plans if this event is a success?

Tamsin is optimistic: "My hope is that I can turn it into a regular event, probably monthly and build a solid reputation.

"An evening where we can keep showing our films on a regular basis, create casting opportunities where directors can get to know their artists before offering auditions, where the public can experience our films and we may even be able to form companies to create more theatre and films within the Midlands."

How did it all go?

The film festival had a great turn out of musicians, camera operators, directors, producers, actors and film makers.

Actors rehearsing

Damaged Otter Theatre Co.

It all started with a number of trailers and show reels from local actors, which were then followed by seven films also made from artists within the Midlands.

The films interested ArtsFest 2007 Film Programmer Jerome Leavey, who intends to screen a number of the films he watched.

Director Kevin McDonagh from Birmingham based Rotunda Films said " It was a huge success, definately an event worth attending on a regular basis".

Tamsin is hoping to do just that and is already planning another event for September this year.

last updated: 17/07/07

You are in: Birmingham > Features > General Features > Film Festival at Mono Bar



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