The EAST END FILM FESTIVAL (EEFF) is set to return to east London this summer for another epic run. Opening on Friday 13th June, the festival’s thirteenth edition will run for 13 days, closing on Wednesday 25th June.
EEFF is recognized for championing exciting new work and breaking down boundaries between cinema and other art forms. Originally a council-backed film festival celebrating local filmmakers, EEFF is now one of the UK’s largest international film festivals. In its first year as an independent not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC), with a public mission to ‘discover, discuss and develop new voices in cinema’, the festival is launching its first ever crowdfunding project, so it may keep creating the cinematic experiences that no other festival can.
Launched via kickstarter.com, the project aims to raise upwards of £25,000 by Sunday 11th May. Those who make pledges of anything from £1 to £5,000 will be thanked with rewards including “Wall Of Fame” listings, “I Support EEFF” badges with prize-winning potential, model-making kits of festival mascot “Eddie The Eel” especially developed by Aardman model maker Jim Parkyn, and VIP opening night tickets including red-carpet access and 5-star hotel accommodation. Those who make pledges can also earn an exclusive opportunity to sit in on the festival’s jury dinner, a behind-closed-doors debate to determine which films win which awards, or benefit from the knowledge and experience of the festival team with a tailor-made industry insight day.
“With your support in 2014, we aim to produce free community activities, free public events, and bring more filmmakers than ever before to show their work at the festival,” says EEFF director Alison Poltock. “In the spirit of the festival’s history of openness, we want you to play an active role in shaping this future by supporting this campaign, and getting a say in the life of EEFF. We cannot continue our work in these areas without your help.”