Stephen Moyer returns to open Southend film festival 2023

June 1, 2023

The Southend-on-Sea Film Festival is back (8-11 June 2023) at the Park Inn by Radisson, Southend with a showcase of over 53 features, shorts and documentaries, including homegrown favourites, as well as a world premiere.

The festival will kick-off on Thursday 8 June with Stephen Moyer’s second feature as a director A Bit of Light, starring Festival Patron Ray Winstone and Oscar-winner Anna Paquin. mix of documentaries, World Cinema, new features and classic films.

Moyer started his career in the theatre of his hometown Brentwood, before achieving incredible success in Hollywood with his starring role in the TV series True Blood. Now, he is returning to Essex where he will join the film’s stars at the opening gala at the Southend Odeon, kicking off the festival weekend.

The heritage presentations are always very popular, and this year Thames transport and the tragic 1953 Canvey flooding will take centre stage.

There is also a wonderful tribute to Southend's very own Kursaal Flyers, with members of the band joining us for a 50th anniversary screening of a documentary based on a three-week tour in 1976. Truly, a not-to-be-missed show!