Organisers of the UK's most easterly film festival have announced its seven-day return in October - with its 2023 judging panel confirmed.
With the Lowestoft Film Festival (LFF) returning to numerous venues across the town for seven days from Friday, October 20 to Friday, October 27 more than 150 short films have already been submitted for its eagerly awaited return.
After the success of the inaugural festival in 2022, which saw 86 screenings held across three community venues in Lowestoft being attended by more than 2,000 people, its return will feature a wide selection of short films from filmmakers locally and nationally once more.
Delivered by Sunrise Studios, the festival celebrates short films, independent filmmaking, the wider media industry and undiscovered talent.
With entries still open for this year’s competition categories, it comes as a panel of nine esteemed judges, from the film and creative industry, have been announced.
They include producer and screenwriter Caroline Spence; acting editor of FILMHOUNDS magazine Jasmine Valentine; digital film marketer at Paramount Pictures Katie Evans; TV sports director Lewis Hurt; director in the film and TV industry and festival alumni Jane Ashmore; curator and film critic Shelby Cooke; film programmer Georgia Hunter; writer and poet Dean Parkin and director/artist-filmmaker Jean Campbell Hogg.
Jasmine Valentine, part of the judging panel, said: "I’m incredibly excited to be involved in this year’s Lowestoft Film Festival.
"I love its mantra and cannot wait to discover the filmic gems of the east coast!"
Jane Ashmore added: "As a filmmaker myself I had a great experience at LFF last year.
"Festivals like Lowestoft’s are helping to keep grassroots filmmaking alive and championing emerging talent across the country."
Joshua Freemantle, development producer of Sunrise Studios, added: "We’re delighted to be announcing our judging panel for this year's edition of the film festival."
Filmmakers can submit any short films of less than 30 minutes to the festival, with details on the Lowestoft Film Festival website https://lowestoftfilmfestival.co.uk/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here