Creatives Welcome the new opportunities of the Gateshead Film festival
Written by Lirael McKenzie on 27th October 2026
Creatives across the music and entertainment industry are calling for ‘undervalued’ artists in the North East to have more creative recognition, as the Gateshead International Film Festival sets to take place next year.
Last week, the press conference for the launch of the Gateshead International Film Festival (GIFF) took place at the Vue Cinema, in Newcastle.
As film buffs would know, the Vue cinema is built upon the site from the famous scene car park in ‘Get Carter’
The festival, planned to take place at the Hilton hotel in Gateshead in July next year will offer networking opportunities, film screenings and showcases.
The event will have strong local focus, bringing creative talents together from across the Northeast region, but will have submissions and talent from across the World.
Creatives across the North East in the music and entertainment industry have shared their thoughts on the lack of venues, opportunities and creative platforms in the North East.
The director of ANBOC Ltd – A New Breed of Cinema, Independent film maker and leading spokesperson at the event, Catarina De Cezanne believes the GIFF will help foster and develop meaningful connections, she said:
“Film festivals are not only a connection between creatives and audiences, they are a window to other cultures…
Adding: artists are the heart of the world and our world needs them.”
The Northeast arts and entertainment sector has also had recent investment, with the Crown Works film studios in Sunderland set to be completed by 2027.
Stephen Elms, a former local Labour councillor, is an urban musician in the band ‘He Knows, She Knows. Stephen, who is widely known as the ‘rapping councillor in his political circle, has previously shared his frustrations on the struggles artists have to find venues in the local area, he said:
‘Unless you’re a boy with a guitar who is singing depressing songs, you aren’t getting anywhere.’
Brad Aaron Hedley, an award-winning director and film production graduate from the University of Sunderland, shared his thoughts on the importance of The Gateshead International Film Festival, he said:
“For me it represents something far greater than a celebration of cinema, it represents a statement of belief in the creative identity, cultural significance and untapped potential of the Northeast.”
“… (It) demonstrate(s) that world class culture does not have to be imported into the region; it can grow here…
There are incredible writers, actors, filmmakers and creatives across this region, but talent can only go so far when the industry’s biggest opportunities are concentrated elsewhere…”
The Gateshead International Film Festival is Scheduled to take place from July 16-18 next year; Tickets are on sale now at: https://giffest.co.uk
