Picture caption: The famous DeLorean car, which featured in the popular 'Back to the Future' film trilogy, will be on display.
Leeds Young Film Festival celebrates its 16th edition with a spectacular, nationally unique new film event this Easter with support from British Film Institute and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. From 3-6 April 2015 Leeds Town Hall is being transformed into The Film House, a brand new attraction for families to discover the magic of cinema. The Film House offers a whole day out for all the family that’s filled with activities, events and exciting things for young people to do and learn about, where they can meet their favourite film characters in person, including The Gruffalo, Shaun the Sheep, Paddington, The Easter Bunny, Batman, Spiderman and Lego’s Emmett.
You’ll also have the chance to see Shaun the Sheep Movie, Paddington, Despicable Me and The Lego Movie on our big screen, and you needn’t be classically trained to join in with Frozen, where the words will be on-screen for you to sing along to. Bigger kids will be thrilled by our film car display, with a real life DeLorean from Back to the Future on show to celebrate the film’s 30th Anniversary!
Magic Light Pictures present a special screening of The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child, followed by a talk about adapting a beloved children’s book for screen, and The Gruffalo will be there for you to meet in person each day.
BAFTA Kids: Behind the Scenes with CBBC leads a unique and high profile range of workshops which give young people the opportunity to work towards an Arts Award. Animator David Bunting’s Masterclass shows the magic behind his work on Shaun the Sheep, Chuggington and Bob the Builder. You can work on your own How to Train Your Dragon, Frozen and Lego animations in our dedicated Animation Zone, and take part in a giant, living Minions comic book or learn skills in Documentary and Soundtrack making too.
The Film House also gives you the chance to explore secret parts of Leeds Town Hall that aren’t normally open to the public. You can journey back through history on the Clock Tower Time Travel Tour with storyteller Matthew Bellwood, who will show you how movies were first invented, or join the Easter Bunny on an Easter Egg hunt in the magical forest below The Film House and discover a hidden world of wonder.
You’ll find something to do in every part of The Film House all throughout the day, from challenging yourself to make the best Minecraft build to re-creating your favourite films in The Pop Up Booth, taking part in the biggest Movie Karaoke there is and watching the best film-themed video hits on the largest screen you’ve ever seen them on with the YouTube Jukebox.
Delicious food and snacks are available from a range of Street Food Stalls at the front of the Town Hall and in The Film House café, and facilities for parents with young children include a Buggy Zone and Baby Changing.
All-inclusive* Day Passes for The Film House are incredible value, beginning at just £6.50 per person. A limited supply of Early Bird Passes are available for £25, giving access for up to four people (including up to two adults). Entry is free for Under 3s.
For all this and much more, please visit www.thefilmhouseleeds.com to view the full programme and to purchase tickets. You can also purchase tickets by visiting City Centre Box Office on Millenium Square in person (The Carriageworks, Millenium Square, Leeds, LS2 3AD) or calling 0113 224 3801.
*Day Passes do not include the Clock Tower Time Travel Tour or Easter Bunny Adventure, which must be booked separately once you have purchased your Film House Pass. Programme is correct at time of printing, but is subject to change.
Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for digital and creative technologies, culture and skills said:
"The Leeds Young Film Festival is a fantastic annual event in our city, which provides a unique platform for young people to enjoy the magic of cinema and also learn new skills to improve their own individual work and projects.
"As always an action-packed and diverse programme will feature in this year’s event, which is guaranteed to both captivate and entertain young people of all ages."
Debbie Maturi, Director of Leeds Young Film Festival said:
"We're really excited to add The Film House to Leeds Young Film Festival's programme. It's such a unique and interactive day out for families - in one of the city's favourite buildings. And with so much to see and experience, it's really great value too."
Notes to editors:
The Film House is presented as part of Leeds Young Film Festival 2015, by MediaFish and Leeds City Council, with support from British Film Institute and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. MediaFish are a cooperative of young people aged 14 - 19 from Leeds that is facilitated by Leeds Young Film. MediaFish are involved in the organisation, programme and marketing of the Leeds Young Film Festival and provide a variety of film screenings, workshops and masterclasses for all ages year round.
Leeds Young Film Festival and its events are supported by BFI, IAC, Everyman Leeds and Vista.
For enquiries please contact:
Nick Jones, Communications Manager
Nick.Jones@leeds.gov.uk / 0113 247 8398