I regularly go to the Showcase cinema but for ages I’ve been wanting to see films at different venues other than purpose built cinemas, and also independent films rather than just the usual, big blockbusters.
There’s plenty on in Leeds – such as the International Film FestivalĀ andĀ MinicineĀ – but I always end up missing them, so when I got an email from the guys at No Gloss Film Festival asking if I wanted to go to their 2016 festival at Canal Mills, I immediately put the date in my diary.
Their programme – Films Unlike Anything You Have Ever Seen – is aĀ “carefully curated selection of underground, unconventional indie films from the world over, in a gritty industrial warehouse setting with fantastic street-food and craft beer!”
Returning for the 5th year, the festival is taking place on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd October with over 40 films to watch. The films vary in length, from just two minutes to over an hour, so if you’re an indie film newbie and a bit unsure about what you’ll like, there are plenty of short films to give you a taster.
There areĀ lotsĀ of different topics covered in various different styles, from the dark and thought-provoking, to the humorous and undemanding. Some are poetic, others political. Most of them look to be really beautiful and others are wicked spoofs. You can view all the trailers here.

Still from Golden Tuna ā Montreal Sessions (Canada)
Being a muso and Leeds advocate, I particularly like the look of Busking Turf Wars. Set in Leeds, it’s a documentary following busker Steven Lockmoore and what happens when a rival busker threatens to take over Steven’s turf. It just looks really funny (and I like spotting all the local landmarks, even though I walk by them nearly every week.)
Spoof documentary – The Art Bastard Show – also looks funny (it has “vegan taxidermist” in the plot description, so that immediately piqued my interest) and Bossman looks suitably bonkers. Although I’m naturally drawn to the mockumentaries and the bizarre, there are plenty of hard-hitting films to watch too if that’s more your thing.

Still from O, Brazen Age (Canada)
I’m glad that it’s at Canal Mills as well as I’ve only been once before (to their Battle of the Burgers) and I really enjoy seeing different events held in Leeds’ old industrial areas. There are some really creative collaborations taking place all over Leeds in various industrial spaces such as The Temple Works in Holbeck.
As you may have already gathered if you’re a regular reader of the blog, I love street food, so am looking forward to trying some Indian vegetarian food from Manjit’s Kitchen. I’m sure James will be making the most of the craft beer as well. There’s an after-party on the Saturday at Northern Monk BreweryĀ so you can finish your day of independent films with some independent beer.
A lotĀ of the time I tend to blog about an event after it’s happened, which is good as I can give a proper run-down of what it was like, but doesn’t help you if you think it sounds really fun but have to wait a year for the next time it’s on!Ā This time I’m giving you plenty of advance warning. Tickets for the No Gloss Film Festival are available to buy online – it’s Ā£24 for a weekend ticket or Ā£13.50 for a single day. The event’s for over-18s only and you need to buy tickets online in advance.
Here’s the exciting news – I have a pair of tickets to give away! If you want a chance to win a pair ofĀ free weekend tickets to see Films Unlike Anything You Have Ever Seen, leave a comment below saying which film you most want to watch, and I’ll choose a winner at random. Please leave your comment before midnight on Friday 30 September. I’ll be announcing the winner on Saturday 1 October.
Thanks to No Gloss Film Festival for giving me a complimentary pair of tickets to attend the festival and also a pair of weekend tickets to offer as a competition prize on this blog.

Still from Soap (Japan)
20/09/2016 at 8:59 pm
Busking Turf Wars is the film I’d most want to watch.
20/09/2016 at 10:15 pm
Do i have to pick one-it all looks so good!! Really looking forward to seeing The Art Bastard show though-it looks really funny!
01/10/2016 at 8:46 am
Congratulations Danni! You’ve won a pair of weekend tickets to No Gloss Film Festival. Please use the “Contact me” form at the bottom of my blog to send me your full name, and I’ll make sure you are added to the guest list.
21/09/2016 at 1:12 am
I’m excited about the whole programme but really looking forward to Mara Mara in particular š
25/09/2016 at 10:47 pm
I’d love to see Sweet Girls, it looks like a great dark comedy. I feel like I might be able to relate in someway too haha!
27/09/2016 at 11:18 am
I’d really like to watch both Leon and Mara Mara. They both sound interesting, great ideas for short films.
01/10/2016 at 8:47 am
Thanks for entering everyone. I asked James to pick a number from one to five, and he chose two, so Danni is the winner!
I hope you all get a chance to go to the No Gloss Film Festival anyway and see some great films.