The Sahar International Short Film Festival comes to Oldham

The ninth edition of the Sahar International Short Film Festival has started.

The format is a hybrid, consisting of streaming online and screening live events.

Over 40 short films from Europe, Asia, North and South America are available for free on-line streaming from now until September 20, and there will be live screening events in Saddleworth and Oldham.

This Wednesday (24th) is the first event, at 5pm until 8pm in the Art Gallery at Saddleworth Museum.

A selection of ten premiere films will be shown, with an introductory talk by SISFF President Mandana Ansari.

Before the films start there will be live music from top rock and blues guitarist Colin Walker.

Tickets are £5 available in advance from the festival website, or pay on the door.

The films are suitable for ages 15 and over.

The festival reaches its climax on Tuesday, September 20, with a “Best of Fest” screening of 13 films in the Performance Space at Oldham Library from 1pm until 6pm.

Tickets for this event are £7.

The festival was created in 2014 by Saddleworth film director, writer and artist Mandana Ansari, who curates the films and designs the festival website.

With the lifting of Covid restrictions, this year marks the return of live screenings to complement the on-line format which has been used for previous editions.

Mandana Ansari said: “This year, same as always, we have a diverse range of drama, documentary, animation, docudrama, experimental and music video.

"Some films are from young filmmakers, with brave ideas who are looking to break a taboo, even with a low budget, films have great words to share.

"Others are from experienced filmmakers with professional techniques in acting, directing, camera and so on, and higher budgets, but all of the filmmakers have professional standards of artistic and technical creativity.

"We hope people will come to see the screenings to fully appreciate them.”

Festival Editor Martin Gleeson added: “We are excited about using Saddleworth Museum for an event for the first time.

"We believe that art films should be situated in community arts and cultural environments rather than commercial cinemas.

"By bringing the screenings to Saddleworth Museum and Oldham Library we are hoping to build an audience on both sides of the Borough.

"Our Middle East manager Sahar Ansari suggested the great idea to donate all profits from the festival to charity.

"We hope with a supportive audience we will be able to support the people of Ukraine.”

See social media and the Festival website for further details and to start streaming: https://saharfilmfestival.wixsite.com/sahar-film-festival

Addresses of screening events:

Saddleworth Museum and Art Gallery, High Street, Uppermill, OL3 6HS

Oldham Library, Cultural Quarter, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL

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