“MINI MINI MOVIES or MINT MINT MOVIES…?”

Sooo…

It’s now around the time of the Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year, or whatever your country may call this time of year – for example, this ‘happy time’ of year in Korea is known as “Seollal”…!) and what more fitting way or better timely article-posting than NOW, to mention a film festival which focuses very much on Chinese / Asian-made movies!

Yes… On Mr MMM‘s recent [2024] festival trips in South Korea – which included Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF), Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and Seoul Whistler Film Festival (SWFF) – either from the point of few of a cineaste, a filmmaker, festival badge holder or indeed as a film judge (!), meeting people on these journeys was just as fun as similar previous events in Korea.  You really can meet so many individuals with various talents, personalities, backgrounds and knowledge at such movie festivals.

One really interesting film festival I found out about, from one of those film festivals was one which resonated with me… or perhaps more aptly tuned into my fondness for Asian cinema in general, female filmmakers and events based in the U.K… even if I’m spending less and less time in that ‘not-so-Great Britain’ [I couldn’t resist that pun on my country’s name] and in fact, as I write this I’m sitting in a café in Thailand… Chiang Mai to be specific.

That festival I speak of is this one…:

“MINT Chinese Film Festival” – yep, that’s the one and when I heard about this, I asked for more information and subsequently ‘signed-up’ for all the latest news on this intriguing event!

The festival is the first women-organised Chinese film festival in the UK focussed on cross-cultural communication and women’s representation and they are dedicated to curating for underrepresented voices, images, and stories.  It’s now on it’s 3rd Edition!

Their Vision:

“We are dedicated to curating for underrepresented voices, images, and stories, actively discovering and supporting Chinese and Asian film creators, emerging women filmmakers and artists, and gender-diverse directors. We aim to introduce independent high-quality Chinese and Asian films and other cultural and artistic works (especially those created by women) to regions which rarely have the opportunity to engage with Chinese and Asian cinema and culture.”

What follows is a little information from one of their latest bulletins – and it elaborates more on this amazing festival which occurs in late February!  You can also find out about other events this team get involved with… whether this is via their lovely and likely ‘apt’ named website (http://unicornscreening.com) or elsewhere.

+ In case you’re wondering, the ‘MINT‘ reference kind of has two meanings:

  • Where the event emanates from or takes place is the town of Keswick, which, amongst being known for other things – including a popular sweet shop there [‘candy store’, for any USA readers?;)] – it’s also known for the “Keswick Mint Cake“…!  It may indeed be compared to the other “Kendal Mint Cake”, but does that version have what Keswick does?  And I mean, KESWICK MINT CAKE ‘HEARTS‘…!   Yum! 
  • The word ‘Mint’ can also be associated with freshness or perhaps a film festival with a REFRESHING take, like this one…

 

Enjoy the read…