Programme Unveiled For 18th Flatpack Festival

Every May. You can always rely on this film festival to take over multiple Birmingham venues with an eclectic, exciting line-up. And 2024 is no exception, with Flatpack Festival set to return for its 18th edition this year.

Expanding to a ten-day run between Friday 10th May and Sunday 19th May, with events taking place at various locations such as Mockingbird Cinema, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Pan-Pan and Printmakers Arms.

Opening night (Fri 10th) promises to bring the laughs with a BFI 2K restoration of documentary Billy Connolly: Big Banana Feet, which follows the renowned Scottish comedian on his 1975 tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

A staple of the festival. Its short film competitions make a return with the themes ‘Flesh & Bone‘, ‘Be Kind, Unwind’, ‘Artistic Licence’, ‘The Space Between’ and ‘Beneath Your Feet’. Complimented by two new programmes under the Reel Brum banner, an initiative which has gone from strength to strength since its inception in September 2023. Compiling various films from local talent showcased at their events across the year, which will see one film go on to win the Reel Brum award.

Elsewhere. Ahead of official UK release on Friday 17 May. Sav Rodgers’ Chasing Chasing Amy, an examination of the impact 1997’s ‘Chasing Amy’ had on LGBTQ+ people, will preview at the festival. Double-billing with the original Kevin Smith offering boasting Ben Affleck on Saturday 11 May. Other previews include Jason Yu’s ‘Sleep‘, Quentin Dupieux’s ‘DAAAAAALI!’ and Wei Shujun’s ‘Only The River Flows’.

On Sunday 12 May, you can make a day of it and experience Richard Linklater’s much-loved ‘Before Trilogy’ on the big screen, starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Whilst on Wednesday 15 May, because it’s actively encouraged to wear pink on Wednesdays. Whatever Pays The Rent will be hosting a 20th anniversary screening of the iconic ‘Mean Girls’, complete with Polaroid photo station and DIY burn books. So fetch!

Fancy checking out the full programme? Head on over to flatpackfestival.org.uk/flatpack-2024.

Tickets on sale now!