CineWyre Film Festival

30/09/2025

We are super excited for Fleetwood’s first Film Festival, Cinewyre, which boasts four submission categories - one of which is Family Friendly Films.

As we get ready for the festival, we’re celebrating some of our favourite films in the genre in our bi-weekly Family Friendly Spotlight!

This week, our chosen film is Pixar’s WALL·E (2008), which is remarkable both for its originality and its prophetic vision. Unlike most mainstream animated films, it devotes its opening act almost entirely to silence, relying on visual storytelling, gesture, and sound design rather than dialogue. This bold choice recalls the grammar of early cinema, positioning WALL·E as a modern silent film that trusts its audience to interpret meaning through imagery and atmosphere.

The protagonist is a lonely waste-compacting robot which embodies both mechanical utility and profound human emotion, making him an unusually complex figure in children’s animation. The originality lies in how the film fuses romance, slapstick, and dystopian science fiction into a seamless narrative accessible to all ages.

Prophetically, WALL·E anticipates several social and ecological anxieties that have only intensified since its release. The vision of Earth buried under mountains of refuse now reads as a commentary on excessive consumerism and climate change. Equally disquieting is its portrayal of humanity: obese, passive, and enslaved to their screens. They are part of a hyper-consumerist society, disconnected from nature and from one another. This satire of technological dependence, sedentary lifestyles, and corporate dominance reflects contemporary realities about the rise of AI, environmental sustainability, and addiction to digital platforms.

WALL·E’s enduring poignancy lies in how it blends a timeless love story with disturbing foresight, reminding us that humanity’s survival depends on rediscovering human depth and connection.

Stay tuned every other Monday for more Family Friendly Films in the Spotlight!

In the meantime, please follow us here

And if you have a family friendly film, then submit your features and shorts to us via Film Freeway! We can’t wait to see your work 🎥

30/09/2025

Welcome to another Behind the Screams 😱

This week we are focussing on Denis Villeneuve’s Prisoners (2013); a tense, morally complex thriller that explores the limits of justice, faith, and human desperation.

At its core, the film follows two families shattered by the abduction of their daughters and the subsequent investigation led by Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal). Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Keller Dover, a father consumed by grief and suspicion, anchors the film’s ethical conflict: how far is one justified in going to protect a child?

The narrative interrogates the fine line between righteousness and brutality. Keller’s decision to kidnap and torture the mentally challenged Alex Jones, whom he believes to be responsible, reveals how trauma and fear can corrode moral boundaries. Villeneuve deliberately blurs certainty, forcing viewers to question whether Keller’s actions are understandable, unforgivable, or both.

The film’s title underscores its thematic weight: nearly every character is imprisoned - by grief, guilt, or obsession -as much as by physical captivity. Roger Deakins’ beautifully bleak cinematography and the oppressive suburban setting amplify the claustrophobic sense of moral ambivalence and entrapment.

Ultimately, Prisoners resists easy resolution, leaving audiences with unsettling questions about justice, vigilantism, and the human capacity for cruelty when driven by love. It is less a whodunit than a meditation on the cost of survival in a morally fractured world.

Stay tuned every other Monday for more Behind the Screams! All part of the excitement as we get ready for Fleetwood’s first film festival - Cinewyre!

Follow us here

And if you have a suspenseful tale to tell, then submit your thriller feature and short films to us via Film Freeway!

30/09/2025

Welcome to another Behind the Screams 😱

This week’s film is The Blair Witch Project (1999) which stands as one of the most original horror films of its era due to its innovative form, marketing, and immersive realism. Its originality lies first in its pioneering use of the ‘found footage’ style, presenting itself as a recovered documentary rather than a conventional narrative film. This low-budget, handheld camera approach stripped away cinematic polish and created an unsettling sense of authenticity, making audiences question whether what they were seeing was real. The improvisational performances of the cast further heightened this realism, as dialogue often felt raw and unscripted.

Equally original was the film’s groundbreaking marketing strategy, which blurred the boundaries between fiction and reality. Through one of the earliest uses of viral internet campaigns, the filmmakers constructed a mythology around the Blair Witch legend, complete with fabricated police reports and missing-persons posters, persuading audiences that the events might be genuine. This use of transmedia storytelling transformed the release into a cultural event.

Unlike traditional horror reliant on gore or monsters, The Blair Witch Project exploited psychological terror, ambiguity, and the power of the unseen. Its originality lies not in spectacle but in suggestion, turning the absence of visible horror into the source of fear. This minimalism, paired with clever marketing, revolutionised horror and cemented its status as a landmark in independent cinema.

Stay tuned every Monday for more Behind the Screams! All part of the excitement as we get ready for Fleetwood’s first film festival - Cinewyre!

Follow us here

And if you have a viscerally compelling tale to tell, then submit your horror/thriller feature and short films to us via Film Freeway!

30/09/2025

We are super excited for Fleetwood’s first Film Festival, Cinewyre, which boasts four submission categories - one of which Family Friendly Films.

As we get ready for the festival, we’re celebrating some of our favourite films in the genre in our bi-weekly Family Friendly Spotlight!

So, without further ado, this week’s selection is Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), directed by Chris Columbus and starring Robin Williams.

This film remains one of the most distinctive family-friendly films of its era in it blends comedy, heart, and social commentary with unusual finesse. At its core, it is a story about divorce and the lengths a parent will go to remain present in their children’s lives. What makes it unique is how it handles this serious subject matter through humor without diminishing its emotional weight. Robin Williams’s performance as Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire is central, and his ability to shift between zany improvisation and genuine vulnerability creates a character who is both hilarious and profoundly human.

Unlike many family comedies, Mrs. Doubtfire does not shy away from conflict: it acknowledges the pain of separation, the strain on children, and the challenges of co-parenting. Yet it reframes these issues through disguise and farce, allowing young viewers to engage with difficult themes in a safe, entertaining way. The film balances slapstick sequences with tender family moments, ensuring it resonates across generations. Its message - that love and presence matter more than conventional family structures - continues to feel relevant. This combination of heartfelt storytelling, comic brilliance, and universal themes explains its enduring status as a family classic.

Stay tuned every other Monday for more Family Friendly Films in the Spotlight! In the meantime, please follow us here

And if you have a family friendly film, then submit your features and shorts to us via Film Freeway! We can’t wait to see your work 🎥

09/08/2025

The start of something very special.
Come and enjoy the films. Meet some great people. Hear stories from the filmmakers.

Be part of something new and exciting on the Fylde Coast! 🎥

Join us for the launch of CineWyre Film Festival SUNDAY 10 AUGUST, a bold new celebration of cinema rooted in Fleetwood and dedicated to showcasing powerful, diverse storytelling from around the world.

This special screening features a curated selection of world-class, award-winning short films, including BAFTA winners and international festival favourites.
Several films will be introduced by the filmmakers themselves, with a live Q&A offering a unique chance to hear directly from local talent.🎞️ Screening highlights include:

📽️End to End – Introduced by the filmmaker
📽️Bonfire – Introduced by the filmmaker
📽️Rock, Paper, Scissors – BAFTA Winner
📽️Sister Wives – Directed by Louisa Connolly-Burnham, starring Mia McKenna-Bruce
📽️Choked Up – Directed by Jill Worsley, starring Maxine Peake
📽️Last Chance – Multi-award-winning international hit

Whether you're a film lover, filmmaker, or just curious about what’s happening in your creative community, this is your chance to experience the spirit of CineWyre before the full festival programme rolls out.

🎟️ Tickets are limited — book now and be part of the beginning - https://bit.ly/45334BY

CineWyre Film Festival

30/07/2025

23/07/2025

‼ COMING TO TOWN ‼

Cine Wyre Film Festival - The Launch

📅 10 August 25

Includes the short films

🎬End to End (Introduced by the filmmaker)

🎬Bonfire (Introduced by the filmmaker)

🎬Rock, Paper, Scissors (BAFTA Winner)

🎬Sister Wives (Director and lead - Louisa Connolly-Burnham,
Co-starring - Mia McKenna-Bruce

🎬Choked Up – (By TV and film director Jill Worsley and starring Maxine Peake)

BOOK NOW - https://bit.ly/45334BY

21/07/2025

Today’s Behind the Screams looks at ‘Saw’ (2004).

Directed by James Wan, the film is a landmark in horror cinema that redefined the psychological thriller genre through its morally complex narrative, raw aesthetics, and brutal simplicity. What makes Saw unique is not just its goriness, but its underlying existential question: what is the moral cost of survival?

The film follows two strangers trapped in a filthy bathroom, forced to play a sadistic game orchestrated by the Jigsaw Killer, who punishes perceived moral failings with life-or-death choices. Unlike typical slasher villains, Jigsaw never kills directly; he sees himself as a teacher, forcing people to confront the value of their lives. This twisted moral game gives Saw its signature psychological edge.

Its low-budget roots add to its grit and realism, heightening tension through clever editing, oppressive atmosphere, and inventive cruelty. Saw is not about spectacle. It’s about desperation, consequence, and how far people will go when pushed to the edge. The result is a film that’s both viscerally disturbing and thematically compelling.

Stay tuned every Monday for more Behind the Screams! All part of the excitement as we get ready for Fleetwood’s first film festival - Cinewyre!

Follow us here

And if you have a psychologically explorative tale to tell, then submit your feature and short films to us via Film Freeway!

15/07/2025

Marine Hall, Fleetwood is set to roll out the red carpet as it launches the CineWyre Film Festival—a four-day celebration of international cinema 🎥🎞️📽️

From February 26 to March 1, 2026, audiences will be among the first to experience award-winning stories and fresh content from filmmakers around the world.

Attendees can look forward to immersive screenings, live Q&A sessions, interactive workshops, and networking events that bring together emerging talent and industry veterans alike.

The festival features four distinct strands:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly
🎞️ Documentary
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+
😱 Horror/Thriller

Each category will showcase new work, with awards presented for Best Film in each strand, alongside accolades for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and more.

Submissions are now open via FilmFreeway, with early deadlines running through summer 2025. Selected filmmakers will receive promotional support, including social media spotlights and industry recognition.

Submit your entry: https://bit.ly/3IHfJmt
More information: https://cwfilmfest.com

15/07/2025

This Monday’s BEHIND THE SCREAMS focusses on the classic thriller, Se7en (1995) and why it changed the game, and set the tone for psychological thrillers ever since.

“WHAT’S IN THE BOX?”

We all know the line. But what makes Se7en a groundbreaking film isn’t just its shocking twist. It’s the way it redefined the psychological thriller from the inside out. Here’s why it still haunts us, thirty years later!

John Doe, played by Kevin Spacey, isn’t just a killer. He’s a seer, vaticinating the moral decay of society. Instead of seeking power or chaos, he believes he’s doing God’s work, which makes him more terrifying than your typical villain. Why? Because he believes he’s right. He’s impassioned. He has an ideology. He thinks he’s doing good. He has drive and conviction. And when a killer is driven by moral righteousness – that’s terrifying.

The theme of moral decay is represented by the city: unnamed, grimy, and shrouded in perpetual rain. The city in Se7en isn’t a backdrop. Rather, it’s a moral wasteland: a place where good men burn out – or give up hope – and the bad guys bloom, because they can. The city is corrupt. Ridden with sin. And this gives John Doe his moral reasoning. Like ‘Heretic’ after it, Se7en is constructed like a parodic yet sinister sermon. Each murder is a lesson. A message. An unveiling of humanity’s sinfulness.

Most thrillers reassure us in the end: good prevails over evil and justice is restored. But not Se7en. Oh no. Here, justice becomes part of the punishment. Detective Mills gets exactly what he ‘deserves’, and so does John Doe. It’s a grim, deeply unsettling, almost nihilistic conclusion. And it’s utterly brilliant.

In a genre built on tidy resolution, Se7en leaves things unresolved. No hero. No redemption. Just a brutal reminder that the world is worth fighting for, even if it’s a grim, morally destitute place.

Stay tuned every Monday for more Behind the Screams! All part of the excitement as we get ready for Fleetwood’s first film festival - Cinewyre!

Follow us on IG

And if you have a psychologically explorative tale to tell, then submit your feature and short films to our horror/thriller category!

04/07/2025