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Film festival back 'bigger than ever'

Jim Scott
BBC News, North East and Cumbria
BBC Chris Allan who is wearing a black and white striped T-shirt and a grey patterned blazer stands next to Sunderland filmmaker John Lee Taggart, who is wearing a white buttoned shirt and a beige-coloured gilet, outside the cinema at the David Puttnam Media Centre. There is an entrance where there is a black surround and the words 'CINEMA' in white lettering.BBC
Chris Allan (l) said the Sunderland Shorts Film Festival received hundreds more entries this year

A film festival, which attracts a worldwide selection of new movies, has returned with its biggest programme yet, according to bosses.

The Sunderland Shorts Film Festival, which is now in its 10th year, will show more than 200 films at venues across the city centre until Sunday.

Some events are being operated on a "pay what you feel basis" and other tickets are being priced low to encourage people from all backgrounds to attend.

Festival director Chris Allan said it had seen its most popular year and had received more than 1,100 entries, hundreds more than in 2024.

He said the festival gave an opportunity for "passionate filmmakers" to showcase their work in a city that was becoming increasingly recognisable for being "passionate about film".

Chris Allan wearing a black and white striped shirt and a grey patterned blazer stands at the top of the auditorium, which has black, blue and yellow seating, while the cinema screen displays a red and white-coloured graphic showing the film festival is in its tenth year.
Chris Allan has been working alongside Sunderland Council on the return of the festival

"We've got Oscar-nominated films this year, BAFTA-winning films in the mix, as well as some fantastic grassroots from people starting out their careers," Mr Allan said.

"But it's not an event just for filmmakers. If you want to see films from a genre you love there's the opportunity to do that."

John Lee Taggart wearing a white buttoned shirt and a beige gilet style jacket stands on the Sunderland Riverside with the city's various bridges in the background. It is a sunny day.
John Lee Taggart also plays the role of a counsellor in his film, Hadid and I, which is premiering at the festival

Hundreds of films across several genres are being shown throughout the week, many of which have never been seen before.

John Lee Taggart is premiering Hadid and I, a fictional short following the story of a bereaved husband who discovers his daughter may have the same rare genetic condition that killed his wife.

The Sunderland filmmaker said: "You may think it's not fodder for comedy, but when I meet the patients and families, they laugh, they joke, they cry together and that's what I wanted to show.

"I'm so proud of Sunderland Shorts, I think Sunderland and whole of the North East should be proud of it."

The event, which is in partnership with Sunderland City Council and the Sunderland Culture House, is being held at the David Puttnam Media Centre, Pop Recs and Omniplex.

Councillor Beth Jones, cabinet member for communities, culture and tourism, said the event "continues to go from strength to strength".

"Every year the festival grows and showcases Sunderland and what we have to offer to the world."

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