Birmingham Forward Film & Television Festival opens today (October 1) with a four-day programme of premieres, screenings and industry events, headlined by a sold-out Shane Meadows appearance on Saturday (October 3).
The festival, which returns for its second edition at The Mockingbird Cinema and Alfresco at Alfred Works in Digbeth, runs until Sunday (October 4). Organisers have confirmed that official selections were chosen from more than 400 submissions.
Director Backs Regional Voices
Shane Meadows, the BAFTA-winning director of This Is England, was born in Staffordshire. Speaking about the festival, he said: "Forward is exactly the kind of festival this country needs more of - one that backs regional voices, connects them with international peers and inspires our next generation of filmmakers to set and tell their stories where they belong."
Meadows added: "Not expect 'em to hitch hike down to London like Dick or Donna Whittington and hope for the best. As a filmmaker born and raised in the West Midlands, to be part of this festival in Birmingham means a lot. I can't wait!"
Peaky Blinders Creator and Comedian Back Festival
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and actor Adil Ray OBE have also backed Forward. Comedian Joe Lycett has been chosen as the festival's first patron and said he was 'buzzing' to see more love for Birmingham.
Lycett said: "I'm buzzing to see more love for filmmaking in our beloved Digbeth in the form of Forward Film & Television Festival."
Second Year Aims to Cement Birmingham's Screen Status
Festival co-founder Cassie Smyth emphasised the growth of the event. "Year one put Forward on the map. Year two is about cementing Birmingham as a serious destination on the UK screen calendar," she said.
Smyth continued: "The festival is growing fast because the appetite is real; from filmmakers, from audiences, and from the industry. 2026 is our most ambitious edition yet, and we're only just getting started."
The festival's four-day programme includes premieres, screenings and industry events, with the Shane Meadows appearance on Saturday already sold out.
