We are building a festival, a festival for Jersey. One that celebrates and nurtures the creativity of islanders, but also invites international films and influences. One that values the art-form of cinema and it’s ability to unite and connect us. The development of the 13^th Parish Festival into an international festival is high on our list of priorities, as we have seen the inherent value of this in other locations, where international, independent cinema inspires and creates pride of place.

It also acts as a catalyst for nurturing local creativity. This year we return to the wonderful Jersey Arts Centre, who we extend our sincere thanks to as our venue partner.

Our expanded programme this year, brings some special opportunities. We welcome back the Off Court Trouville festival team, for year two of their free filmmaking workshop week. This was a joy to behold last year, and we encourage anyone to participate, learn new skills and it all culminates in seeing your film on the big screen. We welcome a new partner, A Wall Is A Screen, from Hamburg; to create a special cinema walk in St. Helier on the night of May 20^th. They are a very special collective indeed, and we are very excited to see how St. Helier will look at night, with it’s walls alive with cinema projections – join us, it’s free!

Our industry talks series include distinguished Art Director Steve Carter, and also,  through our partnership with Soroptimists International Jersey, we’re proud to welcome theatre maker Terry O’Connor in conversation. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the exciting world of Virtual Reality (VR) at the JAC, thanks to our curator James Pallot, it promises to expand our vision of cinema and again, it’s entirely free. Aside from these special events, we present a range of new feature films and documentaries from around the world. Our short films are very much to the fore; with films from all corners of the globe competing for our Prix d’Honneur and L’Esprit de la Fête awards. Our local shorts then compete for the Best Of awards in that section. This was one of the liveliest programme elements last year and an important intervention we feel in stimulating a platform for filmmakers to meet, network and present their work.

We thank all our programme partners for your collaboration. Alliance Francaise de Jersey co-host the new French Film film by Olivier Peyron ‘Lie With Me /  Arrête avec tes mensonges’. Jersey Film Society kindly partner on the presentation of ‘Lunana: A Yak In the Classroom’. We also thank funders for their ongoing support of the festival, and important local sponsors; who have helped us with our guests, our facilities,  and our materials – all of which enable the festival to thrive.

Thank you for supporting and spreading the word!

Tony Langlois, Festival Director.