Flatpack Festival
Film for all the senses

The day dawns

Ian Francis
Thursday 20th March, 2014 Posted by Ian Francis

It's that time of year when we awake at 5, minds racing with all the stuff that needs doing. Ticket sales are anxiously scrutinised. An army of A-boards and volunteers in bright green shirts prepare to march on Birmingham. Now all that remains is to put the actual festival on.

We're fairly convinced that this is the best one yet, and there should be something in there for you to enjoy. Here are a few things to look out for over the opening weekend...

FILM BUG The whole thing kicks off today, and as ever Film Bug affords an opportunity to try out many different facets of the programme in a variety of spaces across Colmore Business District – much of it for free. Look out for food films at Jojolapa and Opus, shorts and music videos at cafes around the neighbourhood, and a light-painting workshop from Japanese collective Tochka.

CAFÉ NEURO New strand in which filmmakers, scientists and artists explore what film does to our brains. Loads of free talks, screenings and activities, including an eye-tracking demo, OHP eating experience with Companis, lightbox workshops and a round of Kino Bingo to finish things off.

BIRMINGHAM-ON-SEA Meandering through the festival, an investigation of one land-locked city’s love affair with water. Begins with a nautical ramble led by Ben Waddington, and continues on Sunday with a showing of John Krish’s moving They Took Us to the Sea. Also keep in mind that David Rowan’s installation The Dark River is already underway at mac Birmingham.

SUPER SUNDAY The 23rd of March brings a bounty of live cinema: new family show Caravan of Film with gypsy-folk outfit Trio Damba; the UK premiere of 1900s Parisian time-capsule Phono-Cinema-Theatre at the Barber Institute; and Murnau’s Nosferatu in Birmingham Cathedral, with a live score by members of Pram and Misty’s Big Adventure.

SCREENINGS GALORE The first chance to catch Alexandre Rockwell’s Little Feet in the UK; sensual giallo riff The Strange Colour of Your Body’s Tears; upside-down anime Patema Inverted; and Kathleen Hanna doc The Punk Singer.

And that's just for starters. See you at something soon!

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