BAFTA-Winning Film to Be Screened at Bournemouth Writing Festival

A short animation that last night won the BAFTA for Best Short Animation will be screened as part of a special headline event at the Bournemouth Writing Festival.

The BAFTA-winning film, written and executive produced by poet and author Dean Atta, will be shown on Sunday 26th April at 7:30pm at Pavilion Dance South West. Dean will attend the event in person, reading from his poetry and discussing the creative journey behind the award-winning work.

Dean Atta is a guest speaker and workshop leader on the BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree at Arts University Bournemouth. He will close the festival alongside fellow poet and Arts University Bournemouth visiting lecturer Ashley Hickson-Lovence who will be sharing work from his new novel, About to Fall Apart, and a sneak peek at his upcoming YA novel Dead Ends published in August.

The evening forms part of The Write Move, a unique collaboration between the Bournemouth Writing Festival and Arts University Bournemouth. The event will open with a special showcase in which live dancers interpret pre-recorded poetry and short stories on screen, blending movement and the written word in an immersive performance.

Festival Director Dominic Wong said: “To have a BAFTA-winning film screened at the Bournemouth Writing Festival - and to welcome Dean Atta fresh from this extraordinary achievement - is hugely exciting for our town. It demonstrates the calibre of talent we are attracting to Bournemouth and shows our audiences that writing can lead to the very highest levels of creative success.”

James Cole, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Creative Writing at Arts University Bournemouth, added: “Dean’s BAFTA win is a testament to the power of storytelling in all its forms and this event perfectly captures that creative energy. At Arts University Bournemouth, we champion writing that crosses disciplines. We’re proud to see Dean recognised at the highest level.”

The Bournemouth Writing Festival takes place from 24th–26th April across multiple venues in the town centre, with over 100 free and ticketed events designed to inspire writers at every stage of their journey.

The closing showcase on Sunday 26th April at 7:30pm is a Pay What You Can event, with tickets available from just £2.50.

For tickets and full programme details, visit:www.bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk