There’s a new film festival coming to London in February, as the team from media and events business, Holmlands, join forces with Green Owl Films to launch Four Seasons Film Festival … a festival with a twist…
With nine features and over 60 shorts being screened over the 3rd and 4th of February, each of the films are been screened in spring, summer, autumn and winter sections; having been selected and categorised by their narrative and tones to reflect the annual moods of the seasons.
Festival Founder and Director, Cameron Hall explains, “We were overwhelmed with submissions, receiving entries from 40 different countries around the world. Each of the films we have selected showcase the full spectrum of human emotion across the four seasons. Films in the spring section reflect hope and new beginnings; summer films are joyous, vibrant and celebratory of life; the autumn selection is about change, transition and difference; with winter films being centred around truth, life and fact. We do have some more literal translations in our selection – where the environment of the film connects the season too.”
Holmlands are the exclusive UK license holders for multi award winning ski film production company, Matchstick Productions, having operated screenings in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Verbier and Reykjavik over the last 12 months.
Cameron says, “We have been running hugely successful ski film premieres in the UK and internationally since 2014. Four Seasons Film Festival is a natural extension of these events, expanding into other film genres and increasing the size and scale of our events to reach new audiences. We love presenting good story telling and we have that in abundance within the festival selection.”
He continues, “I attended the Sundance Film Festival in Utah in 2016, and was heavily influenced by the festival to expand on Holmlands events to create something unique. In addition to the films, we also have live music performances, art and photography exhibitions – all within the four walls of Cadogan Hall in Sloane Square – a truly stunning venue. Our aim to provide a platform for independent and creative talent to showcase their work whilst also offering the audience a culturally enriching experience.”
The festival weekend will see a number of post screening Q&A sessions take place, with opportunities to meet and greet directors and actors; with a special awards ceremony on Monday 5th February for film makers and VIP ticket holders.
All festival tickets include access to the short film selection, music, art and photography exhibits, with a more in-depth look at the feature film line up below…
Spring Screening 1: Chasing Niagara
Saturday 3rd February 11am
Four Seasons Film Festival kick starts with an exhilarating documentary that reflects what can be achieved with hope when you set your mind on achieving your dreams…
When pro kayaker Rafa Ortiz decides to follow his dream to paddle over Niagara Falls, he sets in motion an incredible series of events that eventually takes on a life of its own. To prepare for this mission, Rafa enlists the help of world-renowned paddler Rush Sturges and a tight team of their friends. Together they go on a remarkable three-year journey from the rainforest rivers of Mexico to the towering waterfalls of the U.S. Northwest.
Spring Screening 2: Late Blossom Blues
Saturday 3rd February 2pm
The second spring feature of the festival proves you’re never too old for a new beginning …
Late Blossom Blues tells the story of Leo ‘Bud’ Welch, a 1932-born hard-working poor black man from the Mississippi backwoods who becomes an internationally acclaimed Blues star after he releases his debut album at age 81.
Summer Screening 1: One Year On A Bike *UK Premiere*
Saturday 3rd February 5pm
What happens when you leave home on a bike with no other plan than to ride eastwards? Embarking on just such an adventure, Martijn Doolaard decided to cycle from Amsterdam to Singapore. One Year on a Bike chronicles his slow travels over 17,000 km—passing through the wilds of Eastern Europe, the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, and the temples of Myanmar. Stories of animal encounters, camping at salt lakes and on deserted beaches, and Iranian hospitality are accompanied by photography that captures the breathtaking scenery, the chance meetings and friendships, and the buzz of global cities. This documentry details the beauty and self-discoveries, as well as the hardships and the gear necessary, on this incredible one-man journey.
?Summer Screening 2: At The Drive-In *UK Premiere*
Saturday 3rd February 8pm
Unable to purchase a $50,000 digital projector, a group of film fanatics in rural Pennsylvania fight to keep a dying drive-in theatre alive by screening only vintage 35mm film prints and working entirely for free. At The Drive-In follows the story of The Mahoning Drive-In Theater throughout their summer season as the team work tirelessly in the hope won’t be their last.
Autumn Screening 1: Blue Hollywood
Sunday 4th February 11am
Sharing the same dream two young actors embark on a journey filled with desire, determination and disappointment. When reckless Italian Alessandro meets cautious Englishwoman Celeste at a London acting school, they decide to move together to LA in the hope of striking gold in the Hollywood film industry. It tells the story of how dreams crash when faced with ugly reality, and how souls can be consumed by ambition.
Autumn Screening 2: Selling Isobel
Sunday 4th February 2pm
Selling Isobel is a multi award winning thriller based on true events, featuring the real victim in true life playing herself, the main charter. Most recently the film won Best Breakout Feature Film at San Diego International Film Festival 2017. Isobel (Frida Farrell) is an ordinary mother with an ordinary job. She lives with her ?ve year old daughter, Olivia, (Farrah Mackenzie) and boyfriend Mark, (Matthew Marsden). But one day Peter, (Gabriel Olds) a very charming photographer, approaches Isobel and temps her with an offer few people could resist. He manages to lure her in to a commercial photo shoot. One that will change her life forever.
?Winter Screening 1: The Seventh Summit *UK Premiere*
Sunday 4th February 5pm
The Seventh Summit is the story of mountaineers who took on the Seven Summits Challenge in 2009. Less than 350 people to date have accomplished this challenge. Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani was the first Qatari to climb Mt. Everest and his two friends, Raed Zidan as the first Palestinian man to climb Mt. Everest, & Massoud Kalafji, from Iran. They had summited 6 of the 7 summits together, and now face the challenge of summiting Mt. Denali in Alaska, as their seventh and final summit. Suzanne Al Houby, the first Arab woman & Palestinian to summit Mt. Everest is a friend of theirs and she too had finished 6 of the 7 summits with Mt. Denali also remaining, to accomplish her title and be the first Arab woman to reach all 7 summits.
Winter Screening 2: Magnetic *UK Premiere*
Sunday 4th February 8pm
In the heart of British Columbia’s Coast Mountains, skiers and snowboarders yield to the siren call of challenge and possibility. Magnetic is the world’s first full-length ski and snowboard movie filmed within a single ski area – Whistler Blackcomb. Magnetic features as part of a very special double billing screening, alongside “This is Home.”
Winter Screening 2: This Is Home
Sunday 4th February 8pm
“This Is Home“ is a film about the joy we have for the mountains, and the constant search for that perfect ride. It’s about a collective born from one passion, and the individuals who give that group its personality; insiders and outsiders. This is a film about the current state of skiing, and a blueprint for the future. About being in the right place, at the right time. From Europe to the US and back again – via old playgrounds, new challenges, secret spots and favourite lines – “This Is Home” chronicles what it means to be a free skier today; where the conditions are what you make of them – and the search for that perfect ride starts in your own backyard. The second part of our special winter double bill screening, alongside “Magnetic.”
Tickets for Four Seasons Film Festival are on sale now, with individual feature tickets, day passes, and weekend passes available. To book your tickets and to find out more visit www.fourseasonsfilmfestival.com
