Portsmouth Film Society (PFS) has announced the full lineup for the upcoming Recovery Festival (see below). The festival takes place from Wednesday, November 13th through to Sunday, November 16th, 2024, and will be at various locations throughout the city of Portsmouth. Building on the success of past years, the full programme features a diverse range of events, workshops, film premieres, and celebrations and showcases the power of creativity and community in the recovery journey.

One highlight of this year’s festival lineup is the “I Am Only Human” course, which has been running through the summer months with a big group of new filmmakers. During the November, Southsea Cinema and Arts Centre will also host ‘The Man Mead Assembly’ Photograph Exhibition from Steve Mead, who is recovery for a long time.

The Recovery Festival is made possible through the generous support of Southern Co-op and the Portsmouth City Public Health Department. This year, PFS is also partnering with other community groups to raise awareness of recovery support services in the city, including B.More and Intuitive Thinking Skills, who are working to establish Portsmouth as an Inclusive Recovery City.

Wednesday, November 13th – Guildhall Portsmouth, Lens Studio

·       5:00 PM – “I Am Only Human” Students Film Premiere
·       5:10 PM – Opening Speech by The Lord Mayor, Councillor Jason Fazackarley
·       5:20 PM – Sponsor Speech by Gareth J. Lewis, Loss Prevention & Security Manager, Southern Coop
·       5:30 PM – Welcome Speech by Aysegul Epengin, Portsmouth Film Society Director and Filmmaking Course Tutor
·       5:35 PM – “I Am Only Human” Short Films & Behind the Screen of Filmmaking Course
·       6:20 PM – Intermission
·       6:30 PM – Students’ Award Ceremony and Testimonies
·       7:00 PM – Event Ends

Thursday, November 14th – Southsea Cinema and Arts Centre

·       2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – The Silkworth Project Art Therapy with Diana Evseeva and residents.
·       6:00 PM – Rebound: The Power of Filmmaking in Portsmouth for Groundbreaking Drug Education Initiative
·       7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Rebound: Young Buck Short Film Screening and Networking Event

Rebound has commissioned Young Buck, a powerful educational film created by Port of Call Media. This compelling film, designed to inform and engage Year 8 students in Portsmouth and Southeast Hampshire, serves as a comprehensive educational tool, combining cinema and learning.

Friday, November 15th – Southsea Cinema and Arts Centre

·       1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Workshop: Awareness to Education from Havant and East Hants Mind

The journey from awareness to education can be a gradual and non-linear one, much like the journey many of us experience with our mental health. Please be aware this session will include discussion and reflection on crisis and suicide ideation, potentially with elements of lived experience being shared. 

·       3:00 PM –4:00 PM – B.More and Intuitive Thinking Skills celebrate Inclusive Recovery Cities.

This includes a screenings of B.More short films and personal testimonies of recovery and the “I Am Only Human” Short Films and Behind the Scenes of the filmmaking course.

·       7:00 PM – Film Screening: All Your Faces (+15) – France (1hr 58min)

Directed by Jeanne Herry, All Your Faces explores a controversial programme that helps criminals take responsibility for their actions and assists victims in their healing. This thought-provoking drama examines themes of self-realisation and forgiveness with sensitivity and insight. Introduction talk form Lucy Pots, from the Society of St. James.

Saturday, November 16th – Southsea Cinema and Arts Centre

·       2:00 PM – Recovery Street Film Festival + – “I Am Only Human” Short Films
·       6:00 PM – 11:00 PM – Recovery Non-Substance Party and Live music

The annual event featuring three-minute films about recovery from addiction, showcasing personal stories of healing and transformation. (Free Entry). Also join us for a celebratory evening, honouring those in recovery with a substance-free party. Let’s celebrate the strength, resilience, and joy of those who have embraced healing and growth. Come and watch live…  HUBRIS and Warnock TT played at Victorious 2024… Silkworth resident Tony Standen, presents his band HUBRIS, playing a rendition of their best songs.