We are delighted to announce that Film and Furniture is sponsoring the Cheltenham International Film Festival 2024, an event that promises to be a true celebration of cinema with an incredible line-up that features the hottest emerging filmmakers, 60s icons, TV comedy legends, and a deep dive into the cultural powerhouse of South Korea.

This year’s festival finds a new home at Tivoli Everyman Cinema, along with several other venues across the Cotswolds town of Cheltenham, all of which will showcase a diverse range of films and events from 13th-22nd September. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of it.

Tickets are now available, and the full programme can be explored on the festival’s official website: Cheltenham International Film Festival 2024. Plus, we bring news of a very special offer (details below).

A cinematic celebration with a design twist

The festival’s main screenings will be held at one of Film and Furniture’s favourite cinemas – the beautifully designed Tivoli Everyman Cinema in Cheltenham’s Regent Arcade. The Festival experience extends to various other distinctive venues around town too, including The Good Times House, Parabola Arts Centre, Evenlode, the University of Gloucestershire, and The Roses in Tewkesbury.

Paula Benson on the Jury for Best Film

Paula Benson, founder of Film and Furniture, has also been invited to join the prestigious jury of film industry and media professionals for the Best Film category. This is a significant honour, and we are proud to see Film and Furniture represented in the selection process for one of the festival’s most coveted awards.

The Best Film category celebrates emerging filmmakers, showcasing the future of cinema. Films in this category include the outstanding We Have Never Been Modern (Director: Matej Chlupacek), where the discovery of a newborn intersex corpse exposes a political cover up in pre-war Czechoslovakia; The Dreamer (Director: Anaïs Tellenne) in which an eccentric artist finds beauty within the beast when her imposing, one-eyed caretaker becomes her muse; and Girls Will Be Girls (Director: Shuchi Talati), where lust, jealousy, and tradition clash as a 16-year-old girl comes of age alongside her mother, with guest Indian actor Preeti Panigrahi attending the preview.

The festival is also proud to present the UK premiere of two other distinctive films in this category: Yurt (Director: Nehir Tuna), which uses a teenager’s coming of age in a strict Muslim community as a metaphor for the clash of cultures in modern Turkey, and My Wonderful Stranger (Director: Johanna Pyykkö), a richly atmospheric psychological thriller about a delusional 18-year-old who convinces an amnesiac that he is her boyfriend.

Other Festival highlights to look forward to

Opening Film: Timestalker

The festival kicks off with Timestalker, directed by Alice Lowe, who will be present for a Q&A session after the screening. Praised by film critics with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, this time-hopping tale follows the hapless heroine Agnes (played by Lowe) as she repeatedly falls for the wrong guy, dies a grim death, and is reincarnated a century later, only to meet him again and start the cycle anew. This screening will be followed by an opening night reception.

Country Focus: South Korea

This year, the festival shines a spotlight on South Korea, a nation whose cinema has been captivating global audiences. Expect a curated selection of both contemporary hits and classic films from this dynamic film industry.

Music in Film

Celebrate iconic music and film moments with special screenings, including A Hard Day’s Night with guest Pattie Boyd, wife to George Harrison during Beatlemania before marrying Eric Clapton, both of whom wrote classic songs about her. Legendary director, Tony Palmer, brings two films to the festival, including Leonard Cohen: Bird On A Wire plus the premiere of Rock Bottom an animated feature to the music of Robert Wyatt, with guest panel.  

Talking Movies

Engage with filmmakers and writers through the Talking Movies sessions, featuring German director and screenwriter Nora Fingscheidt who won critical acclaim for her film System Crasher which the Festival screened in 2019. She is joined by best-selling writer Amy Liptrot to share their thoughts on The Outrun starring Saoirse Ronan. 

You’re Having A Laugh

The festival’s new comedy strand includes a screening of Arthur’s Whisky, starring Diane Keaton, Patricia Hodge, and Lulu. Hodge, Lulu and director, Stephen Cookson will share their behind the scenes tales of making this multi-award-winning comedy in the dead cold of an English winter. In Laughing At Power, Jonathan Pie (Tom Walker), Michael (Lord) Dobbs (creator of House of Cards) and Maurice Gran (one half of Marks and Gran, celebrated screenwriter and creator of Alan B’Stard of The New Statesman) will debate, discuss and dismantle the world of politics and politicians.

Special offer

The festival has just announced an opportunity not to be missed: Free entry to the VIP opening night and reception when you become a Friend of the Cheltenham International Film Festival.

For just £35, you can join as a Friend and receive a ticket to the VIP opening night, a 25% discount on all film ticket purchases, and two film ticket vouchers. For couples, the annual Friends Membership is £60, which includes two VIP opening night tickets, four film ticket vouchers, and the same 25% discount on all film ticket purchases.

This is a fantastic chance to experience the festival in style while also supporting its future. Spaces for the VIP opening night and reception are limited, so act quickly to secure your spot. Become a Friend today.

 

Join us at the Cheltenham International Film Festival 2024 for an unforgettable celebration of film. Whether you’re enjoying the screenings, participating in the discussions, or attending a quiz, we look forward to seeing you.