Portobello Winter Film & Art Festival; 3rd - 7th December; from FREE
Portobello Film Festival concludes its anniversary programming with a Winter Festival to celebrate local talent, past and present, spanning five days of free events.
An evening dedicated to the late poet, actor and activist Heathcote Williams kicks off the programme with a reading from The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency led by local legends Jenny Runacre and Loftus Burton.
Named after a venture for squatters at the heart of the former Free and Independent Republic of Frestonia, it is only fitting that the play is revived at Frestonian Gallery which is located in one of the few original buildings remaining of the community that inhabited the area in the late 70s and early 80s.
The festival returns to its regular home at The Muse on Portobello Road for three nights of films, including the best shorts from the last five years, and features that reflect the area’s punk legacy. The Clash recorded parts of their album Combat Rock at The People’s Hall, and Danny Garcia’s documentary headlines on Friday. Further highlights range from Stacey Stone’s The Nona to Hannah Gal’s Erin: Beyond the Bruises starring Joanna Lumley.
For No Good Reason, a portrait of cult cartoonist Ralph Steadman, featuring Johnny Depp, Terry Gilliam and Richard E. Grant, leads both Saturday’s screening and Sunday’s final event at The Muse’s outreach project down by the river in Brentford. The festival closes with 2021’s Special Award winner Michael Horovitz Tribute, 2023’s Best Comedy winner Free Spirits, and animations by Molly Brown.
See below for timings and addresses. The reading at Frestonian Gallery is the only ticketed event, just turn up to any of the other nights – all are free to attend.
Wednesday 3 December, 7pm – The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency – Frestonian Gallery
Reading of Heathcote Williams’ documentary play written for The Cardboard Citizens Theatre Company – reserve your FREE ticket here
Thursday 4th December, 6pm – Local Films by Local People – The Muse
An evening celebrating the best of Portobello Film Festival with a programme of short film documenting the neighbourhood or shot by local filmmakers
Friday 5th December, 6pm – The Rise and Fall of the Clash – The Muse
One of the most shocking stories of the music industry in the 1980s unravels as the ultimate rock’n’roll tragedy – introduced by Chris Salewicz
Saturday 6th December, 6pm – For No Good Reason – The Muse
Johnny Depp pays a visit to Ralph Steadman, the renowned artists and the last of the original Gonzo visionaries who worked alongside Hunter S. Thompson – introduced by director Charlie Paul
Sunday 7th December, 6pm – For No Good Reason – XYZ Brentford
A final screening of Ralph Steadman’s manifesto, plus a selection of Portobello Film Festival greatest hits
