EXCLUSIVE: The New Black Film Collective’s (TNBFC) PictureEast Film Festival will run from 20 January to 1 February, with titles such as Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow and the David Jonsson starrer Wasteman as part of the lineup.
PictureEast is a free film festival based in East London. The event will screen over 20 feature films alongside short films and panel discussions. PictureEast is supported by Film London’s Spotlight programme.
Speakers confirmed to appear at events during the festival include Joelle Mae David of the East London-based BlueBird Pictures, documentary filmmakers Cécile Embleton and Jessi Gutch, as well as filmmakers Tyra Chuck, Jaha Browne, Timi Akindele-Ajani, and King Simpson.
My Father’s Shadow director Akinola Davies Jr. will join a panel as part of the PictureEast: Creative Connections event, ahead of the film’s UK theatrical opening on February 6. Mubi is distributing the film in the UK.
The festival will open with Wasteman, starring David Jonsson. In the film, penned by Hunter Andrews and Eoin Doran, Jonsson plays Taylor, whose hopes for a fresh start are jeopardized by the arrival of his cellmate Dee, played by Blyth. As Dee takes Taylor under his wing, a vicious attack tests their bond, forcing Taylor to choose between protecting Dee and his own parole chances.
PictureEast will close with Palestine Comedy Club, a feature documentary that follows a group of Palestinian comedians as they forge a path through laughter, using stand-up to express their resilience and spirit amid rising conflict. Synopsis reads: Their jokes become powerful statements of dignity and existence in the face of devastating circumstances. Check out a list of highlights from the festival below.
In a statement discussing the origins of PictureEast, Priscilla Igwe, Founder and CEO of The New Black Film Collective, said the event was “created to put cinema back at the heart of our communities and provide a supportive base for creatives.”
“At a time when local screens are disappearing, and divisions are growing louder, PEFF brings people together through a powerful line-up of bold, joyful, and challenging stories,” Igwe said.
“From Newham-born talent David Jonsson leading our opening night film Wasteman, to Dreamers by East London–raised director Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor, alongside outstanding work from global filmmakers, the festival reflects East London’s creativity, resilience, and global outlook, while our short film showcases, panels, and networking events create space for marginalised creatives to connect, shine, and thrive.”
Festival highlights:
- Opening Film: WASTEMAN preview and panel
- PictureEast: Creative Connections: Young Programmers Shorts + Networking
- MARLEE MATLIN – NOT ALONE ANYMORE and Q&A
- HOW TO BUILD A LIBRARY and panel
- LONDON BOYS and Q&A with director Laura Pavone
- THE BAD GUYS 2 and family activity
- GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE: THE MOVIE
- HOLLOWAY and Q&A
- SOULEYMANE’S STORY and Q&A
- SAVAGES and Q&A
- THE STAND and Q&A
- I SWEAR and Q&A
- MY FATHER’S SHADOW preview and panel
- LOLLIPOP and Q&A
- HOMEBOUND and Q&A
- BLUE HAS NO BORDERS and Q&A with director Jessi Gutch
- FINDING OPTEL
- Young Programmers Shorts Showcase and Q&A
- NE ZHA 2 and activity
- NIGHT OF THE ZOOPOCALYPSE
- SHORTS – UNCOMMON VOICES and Q&A
- PictureEast Film Festival x One Room local creatives showcase, panel, networking and DJ night
- MOTHER VERA and Q&A with director Cécile Embleton
- DREAMERS and Q&A
- Closing Film: PALESTINE COMEDY CLUB preview and live comedy