Wigan and Leigh Film Festival returns for its 10th edition

Wigan and Leigh Film Festival is gearing up for its tenth edition this September, with a lineup of films that celebrates low-budget and grassroots filmmaking.

Over 25 shorts from around the world will be shown during the two-day, volunteer-run festival, which will take place on 15 and 16 September at Leigh Film Society’s purpose-built, 115-seat independent community cinema, located in the historic Leigh Spinners Mill.

The program of films features submissions from countries as far afield as Iran and the USA, with a wide variety of genres and themes represented – from offbeat comedies to sombre dramas. They tackle subjects such as office politics, cancer and grief, social issues around poverty and disadvantaged communities and the problems facing refugees. Topically, there will also be a film about women’s football.

As with all film festivals, there will be prizes for the stand-out films of the festival. The categories include best animation and documentary, as well as the best film by a young film-maker, North West artist and the overall prize for the film of the festival. The event is accredited by the British Independent Film Awards.

More information about the festival can be found at the Wigan and Leigh Film Festival website.

How to get tickets

Tickets for both nights of the festival are now on sale via Ticketsource. They cost £8 for adults and £5 for students.

Screenings for both nights begin at 7pm.

What do the organisers say?

Wigan and Leigh Film Festival chair Paul Costello said: “The first short film festival was in September 2014 and was set up to support local film-makers. It’s hard to believe we are now 10 festivals on and will be screening this special anniversary event in our own cinema at Leigh Film Factory.

“The annual short film festival remains run entirely by volunteers and not for profit which makes us stand out against other festivals around the country.

“Every year the quality and submissions increase, making it very difficult to select the finalists and winning films. This year’s line-up promises to be a great two-day event with many outstanding short films.

“The films this year have come from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Iran, Germany, United States, Mexico, Turkey, Sweden, Russia, New Zealand and Canada. It is great that the festival attracts such interest from around the world.”