Spirit of Independence Film Festival 2024 at Showroom

Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor

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Spirit of Independence Film Festival 2024

27-29 September 2024

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Spirit of Independence Film Festival
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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
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

Creatures Comedy Club
Manchester
Theatre
Creatures Comedy Club

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The Loft
Manchester
Music venue
The Loft

The Loft is an intimate, industrial-style club tucked away on the edge of Manchester city centre. Known for its impeccable sound system and low-key vibe.

Stables Tavern
City Centre
Restaurant
Stables Tavern

The Stables Tavern is an olde style pub in the St John’s neighbourhood of Manchester, where the Rovers Return once stood.

Manchester
Restaurant
Ban Di Bul

Ban Di Bul is a longstanding Korean restaurant in the very centre of Manchester.

Bridge Cottage
Port Sunlight
Gallery
Bridge Cottage

Bridge Cottage is one of Port Sunlight’s most charming and architecturally distinctive Arts & Crafts homes. Often hold art Exhibitions and Tours.

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Stockport
Library
Stockroom

Stockroom is Stockport’s new centre for culture and creativity, with a library, a children’s play area and a whole host of exciting events.

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Rochdale
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RISE Inavate Centre

RISE Inavate Centre will be used for a thought-provoking sound installation by Shilpa Gupta at Manchester International Festival 2025.

Interior Decorations - Viet Deli
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Viet Deli

Viet Deli is a small venue, not the kind of place for a sit down meal. Serving only bánh mì, traditionally street food in Vietnam.

Levenshulme
Restaurant
My Nawaab

Eye-catching banqueting hall in Levenshulme, with a wide-ranging buffet showcasing freshly-prepared Indian and Pakistani cuisine.

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