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A first class Awards Ceremony held at the Pavillion in Broadstairs, after the screening of THE FIRST FILM followed by a fascinating Q&A with Director David Wilkinson to celebrate the tenth Anniversary of its release.

Anchor – Dominic Grant Award for Best of the Festival
INVINCIBLE by Emma Croft – UK

Brenda Blethyn Award for Best First Feature
CARVED BY THE WIND by Layla Triqui – Morocco

Best Narrative Feature
MIDDLE by Maxime Pothérat – France

Special Narrative Feature Commendation
THE COLOUR OF EXILE by Azlarabe Alaoui – Ivory Coast / Morocco

Best Actor
ROMANNI VILLICAÑA for Beings – Mexico

Best Actress
SAMANTHA SEAGER for Invincible – UK

Special Commendation for Ensemble Cast
MIDDLE – France

Best Documentary Feature
CINEMA KAWAKEB by Mahmoud al Massad

Special Documentary Feature Film Commendation
A DAIRY STORY by Ian Findlay

Best Experimental Feature
APPOLOGY by Marco von Moos – Switzerland

Best World Short
FULL METAL BASKET by by Pablo Bodin, Lucie Cabon and Lou Lemoine – France

Special World Short Film Commendation
WE HAVE SINNED BEFORE YOU by Ifat Nener Orgad – Israel

Special World Short Film Commendation
DAY 21 by Dashiell Meyer – USA

Best UK Short
THE PEARL COMB by Ali Cook

Best Local Short
BLACK TIME by Sharon Axcel

Best Music Video
CAMENS – SLEEP PATTERNS REPEATING by Thomas Jackson

Best Documentary Short
CLEMENT GASA by Daniel Bayle

Best Experimental Short
HIDDEN TIME by Giovanni Soldi

Best Animation Short
OVARY ACTING by Michelle Brøndum

Special Animation Short Commendation for its Art Direction
THE WEDDING VEIL OF THE PROUD PRINCESS by Anna-Ester Volozh

Special Animation Short Commendation for the writing
WAVELENGTH by Benjamin Verrall

Best Episodic
WHEEL GONE KID by Wayne Kelly

From the 26–29 March, Ramsgate once again becomes more than just a seaside town. It turns into a place where stories collide — on screen, in conversation, and somewhere in between the two. As the Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival returns, I’ve been looking through the programme not just as a marketer, but as someone who genuinely loves getting lost in films.

What always stands out about this festival — as with any great film festival — is the sense of discovery: the knowledge that many of the films you see here you might never have seen anywhere else. You stumble across something unexpected, sit down out of curiosity, and walk away thinking about it for days. This year, there are a handful of films I already know I’ll be making time for — some for their ideas, some for their visuals, and some simply because I can’t quite figure them out yet.

Here are a few I’ll definitely be watching.

1. Cinema Kawakeb — A Love Letter to Film Itself

There’s something immediately compelling about Cinema Kawakeb. Maybe it’s the setting—a crumbling cinema with stories etched into its walls—or maybe it’s the unexpected thread of Bollywood running through the Middle East.

As someone who already has a soft spot for Bollywood, I’m fascinated by how that love travels across cultures and borders. This feels like more than a documentary; it feels like a reflection on cinema as a shared language.

The idea of a fading theatre, paired with a trailer filled with stunning cinematography, gives it a slightly haunting edge too. One of those films I expect to linger long after the credits roll.

BOOK TICKETS HERE

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2. Tell the Wind Too — Poetry on Screen

Sometimes a title alone is enough to stop you in your tracks, and Tell the Wind Too did exactly that.

There’s a kind of beauty that comes from translation—when something isn’t perfectly literal, but instead carries a deeper, more poetic meaning. That’s exactly what this feels like.

Described as a meditation on dealing with death, I’m expecting something quiet, reflective, and emotionally resonant. The kind of film where you don’t just watch—you sit with it, and maybe even leave thinking a little differently than when you walked in.

BOOK TICKETS HERE

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3. L.A. Jesus & AI Jesus — A Bit of Chaos (In a Good Way)

On the complete other end of the spectrum, L.A. Jesus and AI Jesus sound like an absolute ride.

A stressed executive crosses paths with a homeless man claiming to be Jesus—already a great setup—but it’s the question underneath that really hooks me: what could they possibly have in common, and what could they learn from each other?

It feels like one of those films that balances humour with something a bit more thoughtful. And honestly, in a packed festival schedule, you need a few that promise to be a “right hoot.”

BOOK TICKETS HERE

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4. Riverbero — The One I’m Most Curious About

Some films draw you in because you understand them immediately. Others do the opposite—and Riverbero firmly sits in that second category.

The synopsis alone is enough to make you pause:

“Riverbero tries to embody the deepest sense of the noun ‘experiment.’ The attempt to decline into images the narrative of the unspeakable… the off-screen acts as the protagonist… allowing the viewer to weave the threads of a present, precise yet hidden plot based on their own inner ‘reverberations.’”

It’s dense. It’s philosophical. And it’s exactly the kind of challenge I love stumbling into at festivals.

I’m genuinely curious to see whether the film lives up to the ambition of its description—and how successfully it translates such a complex idea into something visual and cinematic.

BOOK TICKETS HERE

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5. UK Narrative Shorts — Where I Always Find Something Special

I’ll admit it—I have a bias towards short films.

Partly because I make them myself, but mostly because I genuinely believe shorts aren’t a stepping stone to features—they’re their own art form. A completely different discipline, with its own rhythm, constraints, and possibilities.

There’s something incredibly powerful about telling a story in a limited timeframe. When it works, it can hit just as hard—if not harder—than a full-length feature.

That’s why the UK Narrative Shorts strand is always high on my list. And this year, one in particular stands out: Recall Me Maybe.

Directed by David Baddiel and starring Stephen Fry, it asks a question that feels especially relevant right now: is AI going to change who we really are?

Timely, thought-provoking, and exactly the kind of concept short films excel at exploring.

BOOK TICKETS HERE

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A Festival Built on Discovery

What I love most about putting a list like this together is knowing it’ll probably change.

There will be films I haven’t planned for that people start talking about. Screenings I wander into on a whim. Moments where I take a chance on something I know nothing about—and it ends up being the highlight of the weekend.

That’s the magic of a film festival.

So yes, these are the films I’ll be watching—or at least trying to—but the real joy is in everything I don’t see coming.

Take a look at the full schedule, trust your instincts, and pick a few films that spark your curiosity. Then leave room for the unexpected.

That’s where the best discoveries usually are.

Take a look at the full festival schedule, pick your screenings, and book your tickets today. Whether you’re planning to catch one film or spend the whole weekend immersed in cinema, now’s the time to secure your seat.

From the 26-29 March, the cute seaside town of Ramsgate will transform from into a bustling hub for filmmakers, storytellers, and cinema lovers from around the world. The Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival returns with its most ambitious programme yet, bringing together bold independent films, emerging talent, and a packed schedule of events along the Kent coast.

What makes the festival special isn’t just the films themselves, but the atmosphere that surrounds them. Over several days, audiences and filmmakers gather in Ramsgate’s historic venues to share stories, discuss ideas, and experience cinema the way it was meant to be seen: on the big screen, in a room full of people discovering something new together.

This year’s programme is the festival’s most expansive yet. Alongside a packed screening schedule, visitors can expect gala events, industry discussions, filmmaker Q&As, and special competitions that spotlight unique voices from around the world. It’s a celebration not only of filmmaking but of creativity, community, and cultural exchange.

Whether you’re a passionate cinephile, an aspiring filmmaker, or simply looking for something different to do by the coast, the festival offers a rare chance to experience a global film event right here in Kent. Here are five reasons you won’t want to miss it.

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1. A Range of Categories – Films to Fit Any Taste

With over 20 feature films and more than 100 shorts, the festival offers an enormous range of stories, genres, and perspectives. From gripping dramas and thought-provoking documentaries to comedy, experimental works, and music videos, the programme ensures there’s something to suit every kind of film lover.

Highlights include the feature comedy LA Jesus, alongside acclaimed short films like Recall Me Maybe, written by David Baddiel and starring Stephen Fry. Whether you’re looking for laughter, powerful storytelling, or something completely unexpected, the festival’s diverse selection guarantees you’ll discover films you might never encounter anywhere else.

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2. It’s Not Just Films — It’s Events

The festival experience goes far beyond sitting in a cinema seat. Across the weekend, visitors can take part in a lively programme of events designed to bring audiences and filmmakers together.

The celebrations begin with a glamorous Opening Gala, setting the tone for several days of screenings, discussions, and creative exchange. Networking events give aspiring filmmakers the chance to meet industry professionals, while Q&A sessions with directors and cast members offer fascinating insights into how the films were made. The festival culminates in a celebratory awards ceremony, recognising the best films and creative talent from the programme.

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3. A Growing International Festival — With a First Selection from Jordan

This year’s programme highlights the festival’s expanding international reach while still celebrating local talent. Films arrive from across the globe, bringing new perspectives and stories to audiences on the Kent coast.

One standout is Cinema Kawakeb, the festival’s first ever screening from Jordan and its first selection from the Middle East. The feature documentary follows a filmmaker’s attempt to capture the fading life of one of Amman’s oldest cinemas. Through the stories of its last two employees and its only loyal patron — a homeless scrap collector devoted to classic Indian films — the documentary becomes a moving meditation on loss, memory, and cultural change.

Another powerful international feature in the programme is The Color of Exile, a film that explores themes of displacement, identity, and belonging. Together, films like these highlight the festival’s commitment to bringing global stories to Ramsgate — proving that a seaside town in Kent can be a meeting point for cinema from across the world.

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4. Supporting Veterans Through the Fight Back Film Awards

The 2026 festival expands its mission beyond traditional programming with the Fight Back Film Awards, a satellite competition celebrating the work of people returning from military service who have struggled with civilian adjustment and trauma.

The competition showcases films made by, written by, or involving former service personnel, offering a powerful platform for stories shaped by real experiences. Entries span short films, feature projects, and screenplays, with juries made up of respected film professionals — some of whom are former service members who have gone on to successful careers in media.

Originally launched online during the pandemic, the awards now take place live alongside the festival, creating a meaningful bridge between filmmaking and community support. Script submissions even receive personalised feedback from industry experts, helping emerging creators develop their craft while sharing stories that might otherwise go unheard.

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5. It’s a Brilliant Weekend Out by the Coast

Beyond the films themselves, the festival is simply a fantastic way to spend a weekend. Ramsgate provides the perfect backdrop: a charming seaside town with historic architecture, independent cafés, and beautiful coastal views just steps away from the festival venues.

Between screenings, visitors can wander the harbour, grab fish and chips by the sea, or enjoy a coffee while discussing the films they’ve just discovered. With dozens of screenings, lively events, and filmmakers from around the world in town, there’s always something happening.

If the early spring sunshine makes an appearance — and it often does — the experience becomes even better. Few things beat spending the afternoon watching inspiring new cinema and then stepping outside to the fresh sea air of the Kent coast. It’s culture, community, and a seaside getaway all rolled into one memorable weekend.

Take a look at the full festival schedule, pick your screenings, and book your tickets today. Whether you’re planning to catch one film or spend the whole weekend immersed in cinema, now’s the time to secure your seat.

The Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival (RIFTVF) is back for its ninth year, bringing over 20 feature films and 120 shorts to venues across Thanet this year. The festival marks a significant milestone with its return to the historic Granville Theatre for the Grand Opening Gala, the first time the venue has hosted the event since before the pandemic. All proceeds from the opening night will benefit Combat Stress, a charity supporting veterans.

Screenings will take place across four days and multiple venues including Ramsgate Community Cinema, Newington Community Centre, and Ramsgate Music Hall, with the closing film at The Palace Cinema in Broadstairs and the Awards Ceremony at The Pavilion next door.

A Diverse Programme Spanning Continents and Genres

This year’s programme showcases the festival’s expanding international reach while celebrating homegrown talent. The lineup includes the festival’s first screening from the Middle East: CINEMA KAWAKEB, a feature documentary from Jordan tracking the struggle to save one of Amman’s oldest cinemas.

THE COLOUR OF EXILE by Azlarabe Alaoui from the Ivory Coast tells the poignant story of persecution faced by people with albinism in Africa. UK productions feature prominently in the First Feature section, including INVINCIBLE, directed by award-winning actress Emma Croft. This sophisticated four-hander navigates between comedy and tragedy as a couple adapts to cultural differences with their new neighbours in a small northern town. Set in recent times, the film tackles political issues that remain strikingly relevant.

Kent filmmakers are making their strongest showing yet, with this year marking the highest number of local submissions in the festival’s history. Three standout entries include TICK, director Colin Hubbard’s impressive festival circuit debut, which explores how well dinner companions truly know each other as harmless games gradually reveal uncomfortable truths. BLACKTIME by Sharon Axcell features Suzanne Kendall as Dexter, a scientist whose time machine invention spirals into a world-threatening black hole. Tamer Akeil’s NOTIFICATION delivers a psychological thriller examining empathy and digital consumption through a couple whose social media habits and worldviews clash dramatically.

These local works will be presented in partnership with Kent Filmmakers, the organisation connecting Southeast filmmakers. Q&A sessions with filmmakers will follow many screenings, while industry talks and workshops will tackle pressing topics like AI’s role in filmmaking—is it hindrance or tool?

Building on Nearly a Decade of Cinema Culture

RIFTVF has established itself as one of the Southeast’s premier film festivals, serving as both a launchpad for emerging filmmakers and a platform for established talent. What sets this festival apart is its commitment to local talent and community infrastructure. Film festivals serve as crucial industry events—competitive or non-competitive platforms that launch new voices while amplifying established filmmakers and studio productions. RIFTVF embraces this mission while carving out its distinctive identity through emphasis on local talent and community engagement.

Festival Patron Brenda Blethyn, the BAFTA and Golden Globe winner who earned an Oscar nomination, traditionally judges the Best First Feature category, awarding the Brenda Blethyn Special Prize to emerging filmmakers. This year, she’ll be joined by a panel of local film enthusiasts, deepening community involvement in the selection process.

The festival’s awards programme recognises excellence across 15 categories through the Anchor Awards. The Dominic Grant Award—a solid bronze trophy named after the sculptor-singer from 80s band Guys & Dolls—goes to the Best of the Festival. A new Best Local Short award acknowledges Kent’s growing filmmaking community.

RIFTVF also honours the legacy of Jesse Cooper, son of Oscar winner Chris Cooper and actress-writer Marianne Leone Cooper, through the screening of UNSCRIPTED LIVES directed by James Sadwidth. The film delivers a powerful reminder that love and happiness can be found in our differences—a message that resonates with this year’s overarching themes of hope and resilience. The Q&A will be conducted by Maria Zani, herself a disabled actress and director, who plays a significant role in promoting for advocacy of disability integration within the film industry.

A Festival for Film Lovers and Forces Veterans Alike

The 2026 festival expands its mission beyond traditional programming with the satellite Fight Back Film Awards, celebrating work by people returning from military service who’ve struggled with civilian adjustment and trauma. The competition screens films made by, written by, or involving former service personnel in cast and crew.

Juries comprising respected film industry professionals—sometimes ex-Forces members who’ve built successful media careers—award top honours at a prestigious ceremony. The international competition includes shorts, features, and a scripts category, with each script submission receiving personalised constructive reviews from industry professionals. Originally launched online during the pandemic, Fight Back Film Awards now takes place live alongside RIFTVF.

Whether you’re a casual filmgoer, aspiring filmmaker, or industry professional, RIFTVF offers something compelling across its four-day run. From international documentaries to local shorts, from industry workshops to heartfelt dramas exploring universal themes, the festival proves that Kent’s cinema culture is thriving. The Grand Opening Gala at the Granville Theatre kicks off what promises to be the festival’s most ambitious year yet. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this celebration of storytelling, resilience, and community.

For full programme details and tickets, keep checking the Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival website.

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List of the winners of the WIIIth Ramsgate International Film Festival

After six days of an exceptional edition, the winners were announced by Deputy Festival Director, John Whitaker. They were decided by the Jury composed of the Festival’s Patron, Brenda Blethyn, who chooses the winner of the Best First Time Director of a Feature Film, actress and writer Claire-Elizabeth Terry, producer Michael Alden, director, writer and producer Sasha Bennett, actress Baz Russell, documentary director Dan Blackwell, author Harrison Hickman, director Peter Lyden, French producer Véronique Siegel, digital content producer Revell Dixon, filmmaker and photographer Alžbeta Bulíková, artist Sequin Kay, actress and filmmaker Francesca Jex, TV, American television producer, director and screenwriter Stan Zimmerman.

Feature Films

Dominic Grant Anchor
MOTHER VALLEY
by Carlos Chahine

Brenda Blethyn Prize
SOLAR WIND ALLEY
by Anastasia Lobkovski

Best Narrative Feature
HANS CROSSES THE RUBICON
by Corne van Rooyen

Best Documentary Feature
TIGHT: THE WORLD OF INDIAN BODY BUILDING
by Elliott Gonzo

Best Experimental Feature
REMI MILLIGAN: LOST DIRECTOR
by Samuel Lodato

Best Actor
Rahul ROY
for WALK directed by Dr. Nitin Kumar Gupta

Best Actress
Jessica BOSS
for UNNAMED also directed by Jessica Boss

Short Films

Best World Narrative Short
IN 100 YEARS
by Hektor Bille Hornsleth

Best UK Narrative Short
HARD TIMES
by Elliott Gonzo and Elliot Warren

Best Documentary Short
SANDCASTLE – THE SECRET LIFE OF POTTER WASPS
by Roman Willi

Best Local Short
BASEMENT DWELLERS
by Leonardo Krolo

Best Animation Short
IN HALF
by Jorge Morais Valle

Best Experimental Short
LUNATIC
by Robin Noorda

Best Web Series/TV Pilot
LILY’S TURN
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Discover the full selection this year, 20 features and 70 shorts from 36 countries.

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FEATURES

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– AND THE ALLEY SHE WHITEWASHED IN LIGHT BLUE (Israel) by Nili Portugali
– BELONGINGS (UK) by Paul Murray and Karen Glossop
– BEYOND THE RAGING SEA (US, Egypt) by Marco Orsini
– GOFFREDO E L’ITALIA CHIAMÒ (Italy) by Angelo Antonucci
– HANS CROSSES THE RUBICON (South Africa) by Corne van Rooyen
– IT’S A WRAP (Israel) by Amit Miller and Miri Urman
– LOSING GRACE, FINDING HOPE (US) by Marcia Carroll
– MR. BLAKE AT YOUR SERVICE! (France, Luxembourg) by Gilles Legardinier
– MOTHER VALLEY (France, Lebanon) by Carlos Chahine
– NEXT TO YOU (Serbia) by Stevan Filipovic
– NOT QUITE THAT (Canada) by Ali Grant
– OCCUPIED (UK) by Bruce Anthony Partleton
– ORBITAL (Iran) by Maysam Hassanzade
– REMI MILLIGAN: LOST DIRECTOR (UK) by Samuel Lodato
– SOLAR WIND ALLEY (Finland) by Anastasia Lobkovski
– THAT THEATRE ON SOUTH ABBEY STREET (US) by Daniel J. O’Donnell
– TIGHT: THE WORLD OF INDIAN BODYBUILDING (UK) by Elliott Gonzo
– UNNAMED (US) by Jessica Boss
– WALK (India) by Dr. Nitin Kumar Gupta
– WHENEVER I’M ALONE WITH YOU (France) by Guillaume Campanacci, and Vesper Egon

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SHORTS

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– 175 (UK)
– 1813 (Belgium)
– ADDHUMARE (Italy)
– ALARMS (France)
– ALL AT ONCE (UK)
– ANGIE’S LOVE (Nigeria)
– ARIANE’S BABY (UK)
– A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION (UK)
– A ROOM OF OUR OWN (UK)
– ART (UK)
– A TWIST IN THE WIND (Ireland)
– BABA (Kenya)
– BASEMENT DWELLERS (UK)
– BLOOD & FLOWERS (Poland)
– BOBA GIRLS (USA)
– CHEESE AND ONION (UK)
– CLEVELAND (US)
– CUEBALL (UK)
– DEADLINE (Israel)
– DOLL’S HOUSE (UK)
– DEATH PENALTY (Sweden)
– END OF THE LINE (Ireland)
– FRIDAY NIGHT SHIDDUCH (UK)
– FROM HERE TO THERE (Rwanda)
– GAMES PEOPLE PLAY (US)
– GOD WILL FORGIVE (Ukraine)
– HARD TIMES (UK)
– ILL FARES THE LAND (UK)
– IN 100 YEARS (Denmark)
– IN HALF (Spain)
– INSIDE THE BOX (Nicaragua)
– LEECH (UK)
– LIGHTS (Czech Republic)
– LUNATIC (Netherlands)
– MANNY (US)

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– MOONSHINER (UK)
– MOUSE (UK)
– MYSTERIOUS PERCEPTION (Belarus)
– NO FRIENDS BUT THE MOUNTAINS (UK)
– PASSION, PURPOSE & PARKINSON (UK)
– PASTURE & STORM (UK)
– PUT ON THE COSTUME (UK)
– QUEER FIGHTERS OF UKRAINE (UK)
– RESILIENT WOMEN (Argentina)
– THE ASTRONAUT (USA)
– THE BLUE BALLOON (USA)
– THE FILMMAKER (Brazil)
– TOSHA-MONTOSHA (Russia)
– SANDCASTLE (Switzerland)
– SCORE BY TIME (Canada)
– SHAKING HANDS WITH THE DEVIL (UK)
– SKY(PE) (Italy)
– SLOW DATING (Australia)
– SOLID (US)
– SOUND 7406 (Croatia)
– TAKE CARE (UK)
– THE AI MAN (US)
– THE BRIGHTEST STAR (Finland)
– THE DEVIL MAKES WORK (UK)
– THE GIRL FROM GAZA (UK)
– THE INSIDE SINGERS (US)
– THE LAST DROLL TELLER (UK)
– THE LAST MAKER (UK)
– THE OTHER (Iran)
– TOGETHER FOREVER (Turkey)
– TO THE BRINK (UK)
– TRUDO VERTICAL FOREST (Italy)
– WEDNESDAY (Hungary)
– WHERE THE PAPER BOATS GO (UK)
– WUSS (UK)

 

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“I’m not saying what happens but it kept me riveted for the entire run time and made me wonder when, not if, Hollywood was going to try and turn it into a blockbuster.” Unseen Cinema, with ‘Out of Competition’ Beyond the Raging Sea

Beyond the Raging Sea is an action-adventure documentary about extraordinary journeys, harrowing ordeals and transformational discoveries. Omar Samra climbed the highest peak on every continent, was the first Egyptian to climb to the top of Mount Everest, skied to both poles but he needed a new challenge. Omar Nour, Egypt’s first professional tri-athlete was training his Olympic debut at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, when injury struck and ended his bid. Samra called Nour with a life-changing idea – “how about we row the Atlantic Ocean?” WIthin a matter of hours, the two were registered to compete in the world’s toughest rowing race: a 3,000 nautical mile unsupported row across the mighty Atlantic Ocean in a 7m x 1.8m rowing boat. After two years of intense training, Team O2 (as they are affectionately known) headed West from the Canary Islands towards Antigua, dedicating their high-profile endeavour to the plight of refugees worldwide forced to cross dangerous bodies of water to find safe refuge. Although the duo was prepared for the perilous crossing, the raging ocean waters and hard conditions had a different opinion, turning their adventure into a disaster that almost took their own life. Screening 30 June 2024 at 18.00 RAMSGATE COMMUNITY CINEMA 64 High Street Ramsgate CT11 9RS Tickets www.ramsgateiffest.org BEYOND THE RAGING SEA (cert PG) A film directed by Marco Orsini (2018 – 70 mins) With Omar Samra and Omar Nour Synopsis The gripping account of two athletes who embark on the World’s Toughest Row— 3,000 miles across the Atlantic— takes a harrowing turn, mirroring the ordeal of displaced persons crossing dangerous seas. A collaboration between IEFTA, DHL, UNHCR and UNDP  

 

Mr. Blake at your service! (Complètement cramé) with John Malkovich in the lead, is Gilles Legardinier’s directing début. It will open the forthcoming Ramsgate International Film Festival and be presented ‘Out of Competition’ as a UK Première.

Gilles Legardinier is better known as a prolific French writer, who penned several best-selling novels. His 2009 novel, L’exil des anges, received the 2010 Prix SNCF du polar. His 2011 novel, Demain j’arrête!, was a best-seller. By 2014, he was the third best-selling author in France after Guillaume Musso and Marc Levy, having sold 1.9 million books. His work has been translated into 20 languages.

In French, with English subtitles, the film stars two veterans of the international film world, John Malkovich, showing off his fluency in the language and Fanny Ardant, a French actress and film director with numerous accolades, including two César Awards and a Lumières Award. Fluent in English and Italian, Ardant has starred in several Hollywood and British films. One of her English-language films was the Franco Zeffirelli production Callas Forever, in which she portrayed opera diva, Maria Callas. The film opened the 14th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. Ardant also directed the opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk at the Greek National Opera.

Entrepreneur Andrew Blake (John Malkovich) decides on a trip to the place in France, where he met his late wife, to reconnect with old memories. Due to a quid pro quo he’s soon hired as a butler in a French castle where he meets the landlady, Nathalie Beauvilliers (Fanny Ardant), who can no longer afford to maintain the property. Mr. Blake begins to turn the life of the estate around.

Screening
25 June 2024 at 18.00
Palace Cinema
Harbour St, Broadstairs CT10 1ET

Tickets
www.ramsgateiffest.org

MR. BLAKE AT YOUR SERVICE!

A film directed by Gilles Legardinier (2023 – 1h 40m)
With John Malkovich, Fanny Ardant, Emily Dequenne and Philippe Bas.

Synopsis
A widowed British businessman takes the job as a butler of a manor house in France to keep the memories of his late French wife. His life takes a turn as he navigates the eccentric behaviour of the lady of the manor and the household staff.

Production Bidibul Productions
Sales Representative France TV Distribution

The full selection is in, 11 features, 53 shorts, 11 countries

FEATURES:
– A LIFE ON THE FARM (UK) by Oscar Harding
– ESTATE OF MIND (UK) by Drew Cox
– LOREN & ROSE (USA) by Russell Brown
– MAROON AWAKENING (UK) by Musaab Mustafa
– MY DAUGHTER (South Korea) by Sang Yeol Choi
– ON THE LINE (UK) by Oliver Pearn
– OPAL (France) by Alain Bidard
– PASSING THROUGH (UK) by David Walter Hall
– PIERRE ET JEANNE (France) by Clémentine Célarié
– THE BALLAD OF BESSIE MAE (Netherlands) by Oliver Guy-Watkins
– TYGER (UK) by Alexander Milo Bishof

SHORTS:

– ANABELLE’S AERODYNAMIC CAR (UK) by Philip Carr and Moira E. Rowan
– AQUEOUS HUMOUR – A BAND FROM RATCLIFFE (UK) by Adam Irving
– A RISKY BUSINESS (UK) by Alex Hanly
– BALL-PIT. WEDNESDAY. LEMONADE (UK) by Daniel Howard-Baker
– BUT I LIKED HIM (Iran) by Asal Gharib
– CANDLELIGHT (UK) by Scott Newton
– CHILDREN OF WILD ORCHID (Iran) by Farshad Mohammadi
– CHIMERA (US) by Andrew Lee Ryan
– CLOWNING AROUND (UK) by Robert Brown
– FORGET ME NOT (Canada) by Naomi Grim Borja
– FRIENDLY FIRE (Israel) by Tom Koryto Blumen
– FULL MOON (US ) by John Vo, Ken Yoffe, Ellen Weisberg
– FULU MIZIKI (UK) by Bea Belizca
– GOOD GRIEF (UK) by Robert Sharp
– HAROLD & MARY (UK) by Stephen Gallacher
– INTERVIEW WITH A GHOST (UK) by David Ivell
– INTRUDER (China) by Liu Zhiqi, Peng Ziqi
– INVISIBLE (UK) by Steve Downey
– I WON’T REMAIN ALONE (Iran) by Yaser Talebi
– LAST SHOW IN RAMSGATE (UK) by Joanne Postlewaite
– LIVING IN THE AIR (UK) by Kurt Ma
– LULLABY (Kazakhstan) Dilshat Rakhmatullin
– MIDDLE WATCH (UK) by John Stevenson, Aiesha Penwarden
– MUSHKILE (Israel) Kami Shefer
– NASA (UK) by Kit Griffiths
– NEVER MIND THE GAP (UK) by Jacqueline Katherina Petsch, Steve Roberts
– NEXTING (Greece) by Karina Logotheti
– O (Germany) by Dominik Balkow
– OLIVE PLANET (Germany) by Shehab Fatoum
– PARIS-BRUXELLES (France) by Marjorie Lhomme
– PLEASE! (Belarus) by Aliaksandra Markava
– PRAZINBURK RIDGE (UK) by Martin Bell
– PRIVATE VIEW (UK) by Sarah Myland
– SILENCE 1b (UK) by Rollo Hollins
– SIMULATION (South Korea) by Jungkyun Shin
– STEPPING STONES (UK) by Funkẹ Alafiatayọ
– THE BODY WITH NO FACE (UK) by Owen Tooth
– THE BOY WHO PORTRAYED MONSTERS (Spain) by Victor Izquierdo, Pablo Sanchez
– THE EXCHANGE (Israel) by Nimrod Raif
– THE FOUNDLING (UK) Cam Howe, Sam Briggs
– THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SCHRODINGER’S CAT: A QUANTUM TALE OF LOVE AND ENTANGLEMENT (US) by Ron Noble
– THE MOON FOLLOWED ME TO FALMOUTH (UK) by Joel Gibbs
– TIME (UK) by James Pearce
– WALLS BENEATH OUR FEET (Finland) by Antti Suniala
– XAR – OBSIDIAN DREAM (Brazil) by Fernando Pereira dos Santos, Edgar Calel

WEB SERIES / TV PILOTS

– FOUR WALLS (SOUTH AFRICA) by Kgosana Monchusi, Menzi Mzimela, Juvaiś Dunn
– LEAR ALONE (UK) by Anthony Shrubsall
– MORSE CODE (USA) by Travis Nicholson
– PRAY IN LOVE (TAIWAN) by Maxine Hsieh
– WHAT REMAINS OF EMILY (USA) by Mya-Breyana Morton