The Pocket Film Festival whirrs back into action again to deliver its sixth festival across Stafford
and it's surrounding venues, taking place from Tuesday 12th to Sunday 17th September 2023.
The festival will give audiences the chance to engage with film through a variety of cinematic
treats, including short films, old classics, events with live musical accompaniment, new releases
and archive screenings.
Pocket Film Festival Director, Owen Hurcombe says ‘We can’t believe it has been a year since
our last festival, and we can’t wait to bring you more film treats this year! We are so excited to
be back in Stafford for 2023, where we will be heading to more exciting independent venues
with a superb selection of films in tow. We look forward to welcoming people back and giving
our audiences more opportunities to experience film and pop-up cinema experiences on their
doorstep.’
Highlights to this years festival include;
A curated short film programme inspired by poetry and spoken
word, which will be supported by the Staffordshire Poet Laureate, Dawn Jutton.
A screening of O Brother, Where Art Thou, with a pre film performance by banjo virtuoso Dan Walsh.
The always welcome return of Meg Morley, who this year will be performing live piano accompaniment to celebrate the 95th anniversary of possibly the greatest silent film ever made, The Passion of Joan of Arc.
Pocket Film Festival 2023 includes short film programming for families and free creative arts and crafts activities for all ages at Candid Beer.
Pocket Film Festival are this year committing to increase social mobility by working with new and returning venue partners outside of Stafford, including Candid Beer, Holy Trinity Church, Eccleshall and Rising Brook Community Library. Providing audiences with an opportunity to engage with performances and activities not widely accessible across Staffordshire.
“We feel privileged to have the Pocket Film Festival in Stafford because it opens our eyes to new
works, vintage work, poets, DJs, performers, music and creativity, all because of the films shown
and activities offered. We do not have this kind of thing in our town, and we appreciate it very
much.” - Audience member at Pocket Film Festival 2022
The Pocket Film Festival 2023 is made possible with support from Film Hub Midlands through funds from the National Lottery. Film Hub Midlands support people to watch, show, and make films in the Midlands.