2023 Film Festival – Roger Gibson’s Final Festival as Artistic Director
10 May 2023
10 May 2023
The Chichester International Film Festival (CIFF) returns this August with an outstanding programme of quality film screenings, including a special retrospective on Hugh Bonneville that will showcase some of his best work in TV and film.
Now in its 31st year, the Festival will run from 4-27 August and feature over 130 screenings including exclusive premieres and previews from around the globe as well as open air events, silent films accompanied by live music and inspiring talks from special guests.
This year will be a particularly significant and poignant year for the Festival after Creative Director and Programmer, Roger Gibson announced he will be retiring from his role after the summer. Roger, who is now 85 years-old, helped launch the Festival and has curated and programmed every event since it began. Roger will continue in his role as President at Chichester Cinema at New Park.
He comments: “Planning my final Festival has been a bittersweet experience. I’m excited to deliver what will be an outstanding programme of events, while also feeling extremely moved as I look back over the incredible journey we have experienced over the last three decades.
From the Festival’s humble beginnings at Chichester College of Arts & Technology to how it has evolved from just 29 screenings to the international success it is today. It has been a privilege to work alongside so many talented actors, directors, producers and film industry leaders over the years. I am also grateful to our loyal and supportive audience, who have always been and will continue to be at the heart of everything we do at the Chichester International Film Festival.”
To celebrate and honour Roger’s legacy there will be a series of screenings dedicated to some of his favourite films which have inspired and shaped his passion for cinema over the years, from Disney’s Fantasia, one of the first films he watched as a young boy, to Hitchcock’s Humour and Sam Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch.
Local to West Sussex and a keen supporter of the area’s arts and culture, Bonneville will be attending the Festival on 20 August to take part in a Q&A session. This will accompany the screening of To Olivia, a British biographical drama in which he plays the role of Roald Dahl alongside Keeley Hawes.
He shares: “I am delighted and honoured to have some of my work shown as part of the Chichester International Film Festival this summer. Hopefully there will be something for audiences to revisit – or discover – and enjoy.”
The retrospective on the award-winning actor will feature an array of TV and film highlights such as Iris, Love Again, Stage Beauty, Scenes of a Sexual Nature, French Film, Viceroy’s House and Netflix’ I Came By alongside comedy series Twenty Twelve, British sitcom W1A and 2023 BBC drama The Gold.
Other special events programmed will include a retrospective on Australian actress Cate Blanchett, a celebration of the 150th anniversary of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff and a tribute to director Jean-Luc Godard, a pioneer of the 1960s French New Wave film movement.
The Chichester International Film Festival was first launched in 1992 and has since grown to become a nationally renowned event and the largest film festival in the region.
With its ambitious and innovative programme, it has attracted audiences from across the UK as well as high-profile film directors, actors, composers and critics, including Sir Alec Guinness, Steven Poliakoff, Kathleen Turner, Ken Russell, Mike Leigh, Elaine Paige, Michael Winterbottom, Derek Jacobi, Steve Coogan, Timothy Spall and Ralph Fiennes – to name a few.
More details of this year’s programme will be released in the coming weeks.
To find out more about the Chichester International Film Festival visit www.chichesterfilmfestival.co.uk.
We are delighted to announce that Greenwood Wealth Solutions will be continuing their sponsorship of the Film Festival in 2023.
Their ongoing support, alongside the support all of the other sponsors and Festival Patrons and Film Partners are invaluable to putting on a complex event of this nature.
Why not support this outstanding nationally renowned Film Festival – the best on the south coast – by becoming either a:
– FESTIVAL PATRON – where you can support the whole event by pledging £475 (or more!!!).
– FILM PARTNER – for those wishing to support individual film screenings (£150 each film or 3 films for £375).
Lots of treats are in store for our supporters, including early viewing of the Festival programme, free film tickets, and a Festival launch event at Brasserie Blanc with yummy pastries… what more temptation would anyone need?
If you would like to Sponsor the Film Festival as a business, or support it as an individual, please contact the Cinema Director Walter Francisco at walter@chichestercinema.org.
Thank you