How did we get here?
It all started with George Washington!
Sunderland has a unique, historic relationship with Washington DC, through the link of first USA President George Washington to his ancestral home at the 13th century Washington Old Hall, Washington Village, Tyne and Wear. In 2006, Sunderland became the only non capital city to sign a Friendship Agreement with Washington DC, fostering and developing economic, educational and cultural relationships. For example, the city now enjoys a strong American presence, creating thousands of jobs particularly in the city’s Advanced Manufacturing and Automotive sectors.
There has also been a lot of Creative Industry collaborations between Washington DC and Sunderland glass and ceramics artists including joint exhibitions, residencies
and workshop exchanges.
Throughout all this activity, the annual DC Shorts Film Festival, led by Programming Director, Jon Gann, has gone from strength to strength and has become one of the most respected festivals in the USA and internationally. Over the years there have been numerous conversations with Jon, exploring the possibility of starting such a festival in Sunderland making filmmaking the next in the series of sectors to benefit from the unique relationship.
In 2014 we were able to announce that the first Sunderland Shorts Film Festival would take place in 2015. Thanks to funding from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Jon Gann worked with Festival organisers in Sunderland to support the development of the first festival, which took place in early July. It featured films from all over the world and although audiences were small, they were appreciative and we know we have a strong base on which to grow.
The 2016 Festival is about to start and once more we have films from throughout the world and this time some well-known faces on screen, an Oscar nominated film and even an Oscar Winner. It’s not quite like going to the Cinema – you’re watching independent short films in all genres in coffee shops, business centres and even The Minster …it’s fun!
The Festival is led by the International and Creative Industries teams at Sunderland City Council and delivered by various local businesses such as Bureau Design Ltd, Northern Bear Films, Creo Communications, M.A.D. Communications. Supporters and sponsors are MAC Trust, Sunderland Business Group, Sunderland BID, See it Do it, The Bridges, Printing Services, Northern Productions Ltd, Siglion, Independent, Elephant Tea Rooms. And then there’s our wonderful army of volunteer reviewers and festival helpers !
Apart from giving everyone another great reason to come out on a Friday or Saturday night in Sunderland, we hope that the festival will grow to be something that nurtures and supports talented, emerging filmmakers in the city. We hope that the Festival becomes a catalyst for getting first films shown – helping emerging filmmakers onto the first rung of the ladder; having great work recognised and opening up opportunities to engage with other festivals in DC and elsewhere. We also hope that our audiences really enjoy seeing locally made and international films they would not currently have access to in Sunderland.
Anne Tye, Festival Director at Sunderland Shorts: Film Festival
22nd June, 2016
Sunderland Shorts: Film Festival runs from 30th June – 3rd July 2016 in various venues across the city centre. Visit http://sunderlandshorts.co.uk/2016/ for more information about the venues, programme and tickets.
