Film fans and filmmakers alike take note, as the Spirit of Independence Film Festival returns to Sheffield’s Showroom this September. Now in its sixth year, the festival promises a weekend of film screenings and premieres, alongside industry-focussed talks, special events and Q&As, in service of championing all things indie cinema, from independent studios to DIY filmmaking.
There’s a celebration of the past and future of indie cinema scheduled for opening night. Kicking off the festival on Friday 27 September, audiences can look forward to a 40th anniversary showing of dystopian time-travel thriller Trancers — one of the biggest films ever produced by indie studio legends Empire Pictures. That’s followed by the brand new Dinonauts, an 80s-inspired animated sci-fi film (about a team of team of dinosaur astronauts) created over ten years in the garage of director Omar Distrakt Jones.
Spirit of Independence Film Festival
Saturday and Sunday balance industry-based talks on everything from how to cast a film and the finer points of fight choreography, to the complex finance of film, and what goes into costume design, alongside a selection of screenings of both short and feature films. On Saturday afternoon there’s a special live taping of The Director’s Take podcast with special guest, film producer Chris Hees, who will give the inside take on navigating awards ceremonies, and what the Oscars are really like.
Film highlights on the Saturday include the UK premiere of Tzo-Juo’s Zombie Film with Grandpas and Grandmas, an ode to the delights and trials of low budget filmmaking
Film highlights on the Saturday include the UK premiere of Tzo-Juo’s Zombie Film with Grandpas and Grandmas, an ode to the delights and trials of low budget filmmaking, plus German single-take horror movie Home, Sweet Home – Where Evil Lives, and Late Bloomers — a charming relationship drama about a late-twenties Brooklynite.
There’s a local flavour on show on Sunday, including gritty northern crime drama Reputation alongside a selection of northern-made shorts, while Laos-based drama Satu – Year of the Rabbit and American sci-fi rom-com Molli and Max in the Future add some more international seasoning.
Where to go near Spirit of Independence Film Festival 2024 at Showroom
Japanese sushi and ramen restaurant on High Street, Northern Quarter, founded by Teddy Lee. House-made noodles, eight-hour broths, plus sushi, donburi and vegan options.
Pigeon Beer Wanderer brings wine-level ceremony to Manchester’s new “Beermuda Triangle”, courtesy of Joshua Lightfoot and his crack team of booze experts.
Bridge 5 Mill is a sustainable event space and community hub on Beswick Street in Ancoats, hosting independent cultural projects and ethical supper clubs.
Long-standing, trend-swerving Chinese restaurant on Manchester’s Upper Brook Street, with a reputation for authentic dim sum and traditional Cantonese cuisine.
There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.
Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.
