Sunderland Shorts Film Festival set to roll

The fourth Sunderland Shorts Film Festival features a range of genres such as comedy, drama, documentary, animation and sci-fi.

It takes place from Wednesday, May 2, until Saturday, May 5, at a range of venues across the city centre.

Organised by Sunderland City Council, it aims to showcase work less than 20 minutes long by anyone from seasoned filmmakers to independent directors, amateurs and students.

The youngest entrant, for instance, Hannah Rollins, from Cleadon, is just 14 and based A Dog's Best Friend around family pet Bruno.

Entries have also come from as far afield as America, Canada, Germany, Lebanon, Sweden and France.

Festival director Anne Tye said: "We were overwhelmed by the submissions and were pleased to extend the festival by an extra evening.

“This year, we’re really excited to be able to host the festival in a selection of venues across the city centre.

"It will be held in some of our newest cultural venues, as well as our oldest, and is a great opportunity to celebrate the wonderful locations in our city.”The festival begins on Wednesday with free screenings of work by young and emerging filmmakers at The Peacock pub at 6pm and 7.30pm.

Performances move over the road on Thursday to The Fire Station with comedy tthe theme at 6pm and drama at 8pm.

Friday's screenings at the Sunderland Museum and Art Gallery feature documentaries at 5.30pm, more drama at 7.30pm and science fiction at 10pm.

The final day on Saturday moves to the Looking Glass with art/experimental movies at 2.30pm, thrillers at 4.30pm, more comedy at 6.30pm and the awards ceremony at 8pm.

Tickets can be bought at sunderlandshorts.co.uk.

They are priced at £5 plus booking fee for individual screenings and £30 plus booking fee for a festival pass covering six or more screenings.

Tickets will also be available on the door. Wednesday screenings will be free.

Also read: Film-led thriller to be highlight of Sunderland Shorts Film Festival