Film premieres, workshops and even lessons in Japanese. SFX Blogger Stacey Whittle reckons you shoukld check out a festival with a difference
This festival, now in its second year, has arisen from the popularity of the Bexley Manga Network, who meet regularly in Bexley Central Library to share their appreciation of Japanese cartoons and comics. With the support of the Bexley Youth Opportunity Fund, Film London and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, BAM will be landing on 4 April and running until 10 May.
“But what will this extravaganza consist of?” you blatantly aren’t asking but it’s a theme and I’m running with it… Well, not only is there a range of youth specific events there is also cinema screenings that are open to all. The organisers along with the support of “We Love Anime” – which is a new organisation that aims to get more anime films into mainstream cinemas – have been able to include six massive new films that have yet to be released in the UK in its programme. These include: The Disappearance Of Harahi Suzukiya , Redline and Trigun: Badlands Rumble .
Other events include workshops in Japanese cookery, art workshops with the fantastic guys from Sweatdrop Studios and even learning to speak Japanese. There is also a talk with artist and animator Huw J who has worked with Marvel, Disney, Fox and even Japans Studio Gibli, which I would really like to see myself!
“Where is all this happening, how can I go and how rich do I need to be?” Great questions folks, wish I’d thought of them! All of the workshops are free events and will be held in the boroughs libraries. There will be a small charge of £3 for the films which will be shown at Cineworld in Bexleyheath, Showcase Cinema in Bluewater and Greenwich Picture House. Spaces for films and workshops must be booked in advance and programmes are available in all libraries. Tickets to all the events including the cinema screenings can be booked in all Bexley libraries.
For more information have a gander at this very comprehensive programme or call 02060454562.
