The Unthinkable film festival will feature a Q&A with the Bridlington-born director of Brassed Off, Little Voice and The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas among a number of highlights
Hull’s Unthinkable film festival gets underway this week. Now in its third year, it promises an “exciting programme of film screenings, local and professional artist Q&As, filmmaking and music workshops, industry professional masterclasses and mentorships, arts exhibitions and live music”.
Keaton B McD, the festival’s creative director, said: “The festival is known for its strange stories and experimental content – and that is something we will continue to celebrate again this year.”
Highlights for the 2025 festival, which begins on October 1, include:
Warm the Outside Pool Up: Hull Artist Research Initiative (HARI), 25 Francis Street, Hull – October 1-31
The opening night of the exhibition showcases local artists’ talent. The prompt for this exhibition was selected from a call out by Unthinkable. More than 300 responses were gathered and one – ‘Warm the outside pool up’ – was selected. Organisers then invited artists of all disciplines who live in the Hull area, to respond to the prompt. Fifty artists responded of which 30 were selected to feature in the exhibition. There will be two prizes for the best responses judged by Mary Anne Hobbs and Richie Culver. The show is in partnership with Hull Artist Research Initiative in their new arts venue – post-war industrial space on Francis Street, Hull.
For tickets, visit Unthinkablefilmfestival.com
Sofa Cinema: Humber Street Gallery – October 2-12
The new pop-up ‘Sofa Cinema’ at Humber Street Gallery will be screening more than 70 short films showing from all corners of the world. A carefully selected programme “reflects important stories from some of the most exciting up-and-coming directors”. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A where you will have the chance to pick the brains of the artist behind each film. The usual short film programming has been extended with a diverse selection of four longer-form films which range from delving deep into tradition and change in sheep farming in the Lake District, to the insight of a small community in Afghanistan. Organisers said: “It’s your chance to see the next in line to the big screen, from the comfort of a sofa with like-minded individuals and in the biggest contemporary art gallery in the city”.
For tickets, visit Unthinkablefilmfestival.com
Bombed Buildings: Maister House – October 7
Step inside Maister House for a one-off performance of HØUSE, an improvised sound work by experimental composer BØMBED BUILDINGS (Stewart Baxter). Created as a visceral response to the spaces of this historic Georgian building, HØUSE layers tape loops, guitar, and haunting orchestral textures performed with Daniel Thompson and members of the Eclectic Orchestra.
Part installation, part live composition, this immersive evening will feature special guests, a screening of the ‘making of’ film, and the launch of a limited vinyl edition – each handmade in Hull and pressed with unique B-sides featuring voices from Jehnny Beth, Kate Stables, Chiedu Oraka and more. 7pm on 7 Oct.
For tickets, visit Unthinkablefilmfestival.com
Iration Steppas: The Polar Bear – October 3
Iration Steppas Sound System is the foundation of the West Yorkshire underground bass music scene. The partnership between Mark Iration and Dennis Rootikal in the ’90s led to the development of the most progressive style of reggae and dub, which inspired a generation of new sound systems and dub producers. Organisers said: “This will be the first time Iration Steppas has brought this sound system to Hull, so come and join us on this historic moment in the city at the iconic Polar Bear from 7pm to 2am”.
For tickets, visit Unthinkablefilmfestival.com
Brassed Off: Middleton Hall, University of Hull – October 8
A screening of Brassed Off will be one of the highlights of the festival. The film stars Ewan McGregor, Pete Postlethwaite and Tara Fitzgerald, and there will be a Q&A with Bridlington-born director Mark Herman, also known for box office hits such as The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas and Little Voice. Brassed Off tells the story of the fictional Grimley Colliery band, based on the real Grimethorpe Colliery Band, as they face the closure of their mine and fight for survival. The film explores themes of class solidarity, economic hardship, and the resilience of community.
To book for Brassed Off visit https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/middleton-hall
Tickets are £7 or £4 for students/concessions.
Award Screening: Hull Truck Theatre – October 11
Enjoy an evening filled with excitement, entertainment, and recognition of the outstanding achievements of international filmmakers whose films will be shown on the big screen. Each film has been carefully selected from hundreds of amazing submissions to be shown for your entertainment.
Two films from each of the screenings over the festival weeks have been chosen for this award screening, bringing together an amalgamation of genres and styles, including documentary, animation, fiction and more, all screened for you and a panel of judges.
For tickets, visit Unthinkablefilmfestival.com
Meanwhile, there will be Cosey Fanni Tutti at Humber Street Gallery, Industrial Coast and Richie Culver at HARI and an I.Jordan DJ set at Hull Fair – all as part of Unthinkable. For full details of the programme, visit Unthinkablefilmfestival.com