Preview: No/Gloss Film Festival 2014

For any fan of the arts, especially cinema, the film festivals that run across the country throughout summer and into the autumn are a definite must-visit. However, they can be costly and this is where the smaller (but often more interesting) festivals come into play. Of course Leeds has had the International Film Festival running for years now, but in 2012 a new, fresh and intriguing festival was started by a group passionate about independent film-making; something which they refer to as do-it-yourself cinema.

The two day event, this time taking place at Temple Works on October 11^th-12^th, celebrates unconventional, low-budget, indie film-making (hence the name No/Gloss) that is both local and international. The past two years have been a great success and the festival has achieved its aim of making these less accessible films available to the wider public to enjoy and adore. Complete with art, great food and lots of things going on, it is a fun two days and everyone is getting excited about it returning this year.

Known for showcasing unusual films, the location must too be unique to create the right atmosphere and vibe. Last year it took over Canal Mills, and this year’s location should be just as epic with Temple Works, a former flax mill built around 1836 and 1840 modelled, intriguingly, on a temple in Egypt. A significantly larger space means that more things will be going on, and it is a positive sign of expansion showing that last year was clearly a success. Complete with an outdoor space for live displays and two indoor screens (as well as two bars and a place for workshops and panels), there will be more than enough to keep you entertained and occupied.

With early-bird tickets only costing £12 for the weekend, it is a bargain for the amount of entertainment and culture you get to experience. This means No/Gloss will presumably sell out quickly however, especially when the programme is so strong. At the moment, there are already some exciting additions, including the French film Mathieu and the short British film The Chef which takes a new look at food criticism with a twist. If you are a student, there is also a student volunteer programme, and you can get involved by registering your interest online.

You can buy tickets and read more about the festival on their website – www.noglossfilmfestival.co.uk

Emily Murray