Birmingham Anime Film Festival
After a successful inaugural year BAFF will return to share the wonder of Anime with Birmingham and beyond in 2024.
Birmingham Anime Film Festival 2023 ran from Friday 29th September to Thursday 5th October with screenings at The Mockingbird Cinema, in Digbeth and the Midlands Art Centre (MAC) in Edgbaston.
The festival is organised by The Mockingbird Cinema and Café in partnership with Geeky Brummie, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) and Flatpack Film Festival, sponsored by Anime Limted.
To contact – please e-mail us at baffuk@geekybrummie.com
Venues
Birmingham Anime Festival will take place in two of the city’s most iconic venues. The Mockingbird Cinema provides film fans with a unique cinematic experience, nestled within the creative hub of Digbeth’s Custard Factory and surrounded by a host of independent food and drink places, all close to Digbeth coach station and Birmingham’s Bull Ring.
Similarly, the MAC is one of the most exciting cultural venues in the UK. It boasts a host of arts and cultural activities including galleries, exhibitions, theatre and, of course, cinema. It’s situated in Cannon Hill Park, near Edgbaston Cricket Ground, alongside a nature centre, miniature golf, swan lake boating and a whole lot more. The MAC has on-site parking and is easily accessible by public transport, including the Midland Metro.
Lee Nabbs, Owner, The Mockingbird Cinema says: The Mockingbird is renowned for its mix of new releases, cult, and eclectic films. Regular Anime screenings have always been part of our scheduling mix and we’re proud to launch Birmingham Anime Film Festival to show our love for the genre and bring together fans from far and wide, highlighting the breadth and depth of this special part of cinema.
Ryan Parish, Founder, Geeky Brummie says:“Birmingham is a city filled to the brim with a rich tapestry of geek culture. From comic books, board games and video games, to esports, music and film – there are safe and welcoming spaces and communities all over the city. Anime and manga are a big part of this landscape, with the success of Birmingham Comicon and Animecon UK, alongside shops like Tokyo Toys. Birmingham Anime Film Festival is a celebration of this critically important and influential genre of cinema, while also doing it in a way that is distinctly Brummie.”
David Baldwin, Producer – Cinema & Screen, Midlands Art Centre says:The world of anime is no longer some niche genre. It’s a global phenomenon that has become a major part of cinema, streaming, toys and conventions. MAC is very pleased to be a part of the first Birmingham Anime Film Festival, with a focus on some of the more transgressive titles from across the history of anime, including classic works from Satoshi Kon and Eiichi Yamamoto.
Meet our amazing team.
We’re a talented group of creative individuals interested in anime, movies, cinematography, design, music, and all niches in between.
Mockingbird Cinema. Bar & Café
About The Mockingbird Cinema. Bar & Café:
Situated within Birmingham’s iconic Custard Factory, The Mockingbird Cinema. Bar & Café offers a unique cinematic experience. Relax within the creative hub of the city, enjoy some food, then grab a drink, before watching a film in our fully independent cinema.
Geeky Brummie
About Geeky Brummie:
Geeky Brummie is a Birmingham-based multi-media collective which produces a variety of monthly content, from podcasts and vodcasts to blogs, articles, reviews and events which blend a celebration and analysis of geek culture with all things Birmingham.
Midlands Art Centre Birmingham
About The Midlands Arts Centre:
First opened in 1962, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) is a pioneering arts centre and charity, with the mission to make art an important part of people’s lives. The MAC has a programme of theatre, independent cinema, visual arts exhibitions, creative courses, and special events. MAC is a national leader in developing work with children, young people, and families.
