Halstead Empire Theatre hosting PantherFest film festival

The town’s Empire Theatre will host PantherFest’s second ever film festival, where filmmakers from across Essex and beyond of all experience levels have submitted a range of inspiring and creative works.

Founder Freddie Penrose, 22, said: “I like to call the filmmakers the future faces of Hollywood.

“You will be treated to 17 short films of all different genres – comedy, horror, romance, there’s truly something for everyone.

“The talent on display is unmatched. There is real dedication put in by these filmmakers and a real love for the craft.”

Event - Freddie Penrose (fifth from left) created PantherFest in memory of his Colchester Institute Film Tutor, with the festival returning this May in Halstead (Image: Submitted)

Several of the filmmakers who have submitted short films are students at the Colchester Institute, where Mr Penrose learned the art of filmmaking himself.

PantherFest is all in honour of his film tutor, Tom Welham, who died aged 38 just after Christmas in 2023 after a battle with cancer.

The first festival last year was held in Great Dunmow in Tom’s honour and raised more than £1,000 for cancer research.  

This year, he is remembered with the awards of the film festival.

Several of this festival’s entrants were fellow students of Mr Welhams, while Colchester Institute tutors will come to support the event.

“I like to imagine Tom would be very proud,” Mr Penrose said. “It’s a really nice opportunity to talk about him and reflect on how far we’ve come.”

Remembered - Colchester Institute film tutor Tom Welham, 38, died from cancer shortly after Christmas 2023 and now has an annual film festival in his honour (Image: Family)

The audience will vote for the winners across six categories, after which guests will be free to network, drink and eat food from mobile cater Britten’s Bites.

Partners Raindance Festival and Bridge Studios have ensured the winning filmmakers can earn prizes, placements and short courses, which will be highly beneficial for young filmmakers to develop their skills.

“I like to see the festival as a real entry point for people looking to break into the industry,” Mr Penrose said.

“There’s definitely been a focus there and a lot of new graduates and students. This festival is an exciting opportunity for networking because you will connect with so many likeminded filmmakers.

“And it’s all for a good cause.”

Growth - Mr Penrose hopes to more than double the attendance for this year's festival (Image: Submitted)

PantherFest is fundraising for the Halstead Dementia Friendly Project, which runs a cinema event every third Thursday of the month and choir sessions every  Wednesday at the Empire Theatre.

So far, ticket sales have raised £1,700.

Doors open at 5pm with the event to begin at 5.30pm on Saturday, May 16, at the Empire Theatre.

To donate, and secure your tickets, visit the PantherFest 2 fundraiser on Just Giving or the Empire Theatre website.