FILM FESTIVAL GALLERY
2018
We tumble into our first year! The horizon was rosy.
The festival was warmly embraced by our local Thameside Theatre, There was an excellent DCP projector and we were heartily supported by the Council’s Arts Manager.
Film Hub South East was very helpful too. They loved our aims and vision.
We felt amazingly championed.
But we were appalled that the Council objected to us screening some of the films that were banned in other countries.
2019
Second year and things were picking up.
We even had our first bash at giving out some awards.
But the Council still kept a close watch.
2020
Then Covid struck…
2021
We emerged gingerly from the pandemic with an outdoor cinema screen and smiled.
Our genial Arts Manager had left and we were out in the cold. It wasn’t possible to be indoors that year. We approached Grays Town Park Cafe and were welcomed with open arms.
We were able to able to continue with an outdoor Park Cinema.
2022
We staggered back to living a public life once again but it was somewhat a bit different.
New management at Thameside Theatre meant a different relationship. We didn’t return.
Instead, we strengthened our ties with Grays Town Park Cafe, a more joyful experience. We had our Park Cinema and also a semi-indoor cinema.
Funding was increased to help us to rebuild as we emerged from Covid.
2023
We got rather excited about screen culture thus year. The BFI seemed wild about it.
We teamed up with Game Dev London and had a games focussed day at South Essex College.
We continued to screen films at Grays Town Park Cafe.
But funding dipped post-Covid and we struggled.
2024
We refocus on film screenings in our Park and Cafe Cinemas at Grays Town Park.
Other venues are too pricey for us! The cost of living crisis sinks its fangs into us. Inflation is rampant. Thurrock Council goes ‘bankrupt’.
We transform Cafe Cinema into a welcoming, cosy, indie film venue that spills out into the park.
2025
This year, someone dynamic joins us to be our film festival director with a deep passion for film festivals.
He turns out to be a great asset and we rebrand to become Thurrock International Film Festival.
ThurrockIFF starts to escalate and we have our first proper Awards Ceremony in London. It is easier for filmmakers to get to.
Our Park Cinema partners with Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre of SALUTE! Ot turns out to be a great success!
Meanwhile, we set our sights on building an extension to the Cafe to expand the venue for Cafe Cinema.
SALUTE!
SALUTE! cinematographer
SALUTE! Hi Ching & Geri Castle
SALUTE!
SALUTE!
Cafe Cinema
Cafe Cinema
Cafe Cinema
Jun Noh & Ioannis Papaloizou
SALUTE!
SALUTE!
SALUTE!
SALUTE!
SALUTE! Thurrock Voices
Cafe Cinema