TV and theatre star, BAFTA-nominated producer and acclaimed Hull multi-disciplinary artist announced as judges for UNTHINKABLE festival Awards Night.
UNTHINKABLE festival has announced an exciting judging panel for its Awards Screening and Ceremony at REEL Cinema, Hull, on Saturday 10th October.
The evening will showcase a handpicked selection of films from across the festival programme, with audiences and judges helping to decide the festival’s top cash prizes kindly sponsored by Wykeland.
Chris Colquhoun, a Hull-raised actor with a distinguished career across television, film and theatre, will be among the judges for this year’s awards. Having appeared in productions including Casualty, Holby City, Coronation Street, Vera and Absentia, he recently joined the cast of EastEnders in a major new role, making his return to Hull as part of the judging panel particularly special.
Joining him is Lucy Meer, a Yorkshire-based film producer and founder of Strive Films. Meer has built a reputation through award-winning independent film projects and talent development programmes supported by organisations including the BFI, Creative England and ScreenSkills. Earlier this year she received a BAFTA nomination The Ceremony, further cementing her status as one of the region’s most exciting producing talents.
Completing the panel is Richie Culver, Hull’s internationally recognised contemporary, multi-disciplinary artist. Working across painting, sculpture, photography, sound and performance, Culver’s work draws heavily on personal experience and working-class culture. His exhibitions have been shown throughout the UK, Europe and the United States, while his artistic practice continues to champion Hull’s creative identity on an international stage.
Andy Pearson, Producer of UNTHINKABLE festival, said: “To have an established regular on stage and screen who was brought up in Hull, a BAFTA-nominated producer and one of the city’s most celebrated contemporary artists judging our awards is fantastic. Each judge brings a unique perspective from across the worlds of film, television and contemporary art, and together they represent the kind of creativity and independent thinking that sits at the heart of UNTHINKABLE. The films screening on the night showcase bold ideas, inventive storytelling and remarkable resourcefulness, so we’re excited to have judges who truly understand and value original creative voices. It promises to be a very special night.”
The Awards Screening will feature standout films selected from UNTHINKABLE’s genre categories, including documentary, narrative, experimental, animation and local filmmaking, alongside a special honorary mention selection.
As well as the festival’s Official Winner Award (£500), prizes will be presented for Most Unthinkable (£250), celebrating creativity and resourcefulness in low-budget filmmaking, and the Audience Choice Award (£250), voted for on the night by cinema-goers.
Festival organisers believe the calibre of this year’s judges reflects the growing profile of UNTHINKABLE festival and highlights the strength of creative talent connected to Hull and Yorkshire.
The UNTHINKABLE festival Awards Screening takes place on Saturday 10th October at REEL Cinema, Hull (7-10pm, doors open at 6:45pm). The awards night serves as the culmination of the festival’s wider programme of events, which includes Sofa Cinema screenings, art exhibitions, filmmaker showcases and community-led creative experiences taking place from Tuesday 6ht October to Sunday 11th October across Hull throughout the festival.
Tickets for the Awards Screening (£10) and other festival events can be booked on Eventbrite.