The Bay International Film Festival at Reel Cinema Morecambe

Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor

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The Bay International Film Festival

27-29 October 2023

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

The Bay International Film Festival
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Brand new this year, The Bay International Film Festival is set to delight movie buffs from Morecambe and beyond. The inaugural edition is scheduled for late October and has already announced plans for a Stanley Kubrick retrospective featuring an appearance by the director’s Full Metal Jacket producer Jan Harlan, in addition to international short films and events designed to inspire local filmmakers.

Kubrick’s films, which include 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange and The Shining, continue to wow audiences, and it’s exciting to see them presented on the big screen accompanied by Harlan, who worked with the director for over 30 years. Harlan is currently working with Steven Spielberg on the new HBO series of Kubrick’s previously unrealised Napoleon and will be present at the festival for a Q&A following a gala screening of Full Metal Jacket.

He will also deliver a lecture ahead of the festival’s opening short film event, which is currently seeking submissions. The official selection will be chosen by festival judges, with local filmmakers from Lancashire and Cumbria incentivised to submit their shorts. In addition to the regular short film programme, there is also a focus on “The Impacts of War”, with a mini-conference on anti-war films and a number of networking events for filmmakers and guests.

We’re always happy to see a new film festival on the scene, and this one comes with some pedigree as the brainchild of co-founders Anna Kumacheva, an award-winning filmmaker, Lancaster University film lecturer and ex-judge at the Edinburgh Short Film Festival, and Darren Henderson, a film production company director and filmmaker.

With the Eden Project Morecambe on the horizon, The Bay International Film Festival hopes to form part of a wider cultural moment for the town. Festival events coordinator Matt Panesh says: “The natural beauty of Morecambe lends itself to festivals. Even though we started the project before the Eden Morecambe announcement, it fits a need for cultural renewal.”, adding that “We’re teaming up with Morecambe’s Poetry and Fringe festivals to help make Morecambe a town of festivals.”

Look out for further programme information nearer to the festival.

Where to go near The Bay International Film Festival at Reel Cinema Morecambe

Morecambe
Theatre
Morecambe Winter Gardens

The Grade II listed Morecambe Winter Gardens opened its doors to the public on 17 July 1897 designed to be both a grand variety theatre and a concert hall.

Morecambe
Morecambe Bay

A significant natural landmark along the west coast, Morecambe Bay is home to an open-water swimming group who have over 2000 members.

Lancashire
Music venue
The Platform

Music, comedy, dance, drama and children’s shows in an Edwardian railway station, opposite The Midland Hotel.

Winter Gardens Theatre Morecambe
Morecambe
Event venue
Winter Gardens Theatre

Formerly the Victoria Pavillion Concert Hall and Variety Theatre, opened in 1897, the Winter Gardens theatre’s stage has hosted the likes of Dame Julie Andrews and The Who. The stunning interior is being slowly restored.

Morecambe
Tourist Attraction
SHIP
at Half Moon Bay

A striking Corten steel sculpture by artist Anna Gillespie celebrating Morecambe’s maritime heritage. Outdoors, and perfect for walkers.

The Bay Cycle Way is a perfect introduction to long-distance cycling. Morecambe Bay is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the UK.
Morecambe
Tourist Attraction
Bay Cycle Way

The Bay Cycle Way is a perfect introduction to long-distance cycling, and passes through some of the UK’s most beautiful coastline.

White Elephant Gallery, Morecambe
Morecambe
Gallery
White Elephant Gallery

White Elephant gallery is a radical art space that has set out to bring cutting-edge contemporary art to the seaside town of Morecambe.

Lancashire
Gallery
Edgelands Gallery

Edgelands Gallery in Morecambe is a beautiful studio and gallery, regularly displaying high quality artwork.

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