A host of celebrities from the world of film and TV are coming to Teesside in November to take part in a three day celebration of film made up of screenings, shows and celebrity guests.
The Tees Valley International Film Festival (TVIFF), which is in its fourth year, is bringing some of the finest actors and filmmakers ever to have come from the North East back home to talk of their journey in the creative industry.
The headline festival show is “An Evening with Johnny Vegas” in which the comedy acting star will discuss the high points of his illustrious career with Ben Crompton, who played alongside Johnny in cult sitcom Ideal, but is most recognisable from Game of Thrones.
Billed as the TVIFF Closing Ceremony, the night also includes the final of the TVIFF actors monologue competition and will end with a live performance of the iconic 1997 international hit “I Get Knocked Down” by Chumbawamba singer Dunstan Bruce, who hails from Billingham.
Tim Healy, of Auf Weidersehen Pet and Benidorm fame will also be at TVIFF to speak of his fifty year career. He will be interviewed by his friend and fellow actor Bill Fellows, who played Stu Carpenter in Coronation Street.
Seen in the region recently filming BBC comedy drama Smoggie Queens, Bill said of the festival “I’ve supported TVIFF since it started four years ago and seen it grow hugely in that time. It’s a big indicator of how much Teesside wants and needs more opportunities to get involved with independent film”.
The festival also stages gala screenings of feature films, that have a link to the region. These unique showings are made special by the presence of the film’s director and actors, who take part in an interview and audience Q&A after the screening.
Festival Director Michael Luke, told us a bit more about what the festival entails. “For the past year we’ve been welcoming submissions of short films by independent filmmakers from all over the world. The best of these films will be screened over the course of the festival. So whether you’re involved in filmmaking, a fan of cinema or love live events, there’s something for everyone at TVIFF”.
The Tees Valley International Film Festival will be held at ARC from the 6th to the 8th November. You can find info on all festival events and get tickets here: https://arconline.co.uk/tviff/