PICTUREEAST FILM FESTIVAL 2025 SCHEDULE

PictureEast is a FREE long weekender of films and cultural events celebrating Newham’s diverse communities of all ages, providing a platform for local artists and filmmakers.

Thursday 30th January

19:30-22:00: Hard Truths + Panel @ Everyman Stratford International

Pansy, angry and depressed, lashes out at family and strangers. Her constant criticism isolates her, except from her cheerful sister Chantal, who remains sympathetic despite their differences.

Friday 31st January

16:00-19:30: How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies + Q&A @ Stratford Library

A man quits work to care for his dying grandmother, motivated by her fortune. He schemes to win her favour before she passes.

16:30-18:00: PictureEast Young Programmers Shorts + Panel @ The Source

A showcase of bold short films curated by Newham’s young creatives, followed by a panel with the programmers and filmmakers.

19:00-22:00: On Becoming a Guinea Fowl + Panel @ UCL East Cinema

A woman stumbles across the body of her uncle on an empty road in the middle of the night. As funeral proceedings begin, secrets of her middle-class Zambian family soon come to light.

Saturday 1st February

11:00-13:30: Kensuke’s Kingdom + Activity @ Good Hotel

Young Michael and his dog wash up on a remote island when a violent storm sweeps them overboard during a sailing trip. Believing he's all alone, Michael is surprised to discover a mysterious Japanese man who's lived on the island since World War II. Initially suspicious of each other, the boy and the old man must soon join forces when dangerous invaders threaten their fragile paradise.

13:30-15:00: Caribbean Shorts Programme + Panel @ Good Hotel

Experience a vibrant selection of Caribbean short films celebrating the region’s rich culture and stories, followed by a panel discussion with filmmakers.

14:30-16:00: The Wild Robot + Story Builders @ Discover Children’s Story Centre

Shipwrecked on a deserted island, a robot named Roz must learn to adapt to its new surroundings. Building relationships with the native animals, Roz soon develops a parental bond with an orphaned gosling.

16:00-19:00: All We Imagine as Light + Panel @ UCL East Cinema

Nurse Prabha's daily life in Mumbai takes an unexpected turn when a surprise present arrives from her estranged husband. Her younger roommate, Anu, faces frustration in her quest to secure a private spot in the city to be intimate with her partner.

19:30-22:30: Crossing + Panel @ St John’s Community Centre

Lia, a retired teacher, has vowed to find her long-lost niece, Tekla. Her search takes her to Istanbul where she meets the lawyer Evrim.

Sunday 2nd February

14:00-18:00: Green Border + Q&A @ Beckton Community Centre

In the treacherous and swampy forests between Belarus and Poland, refugees from the Middle East and Africa are lured by government propaganda that promises easy passage to the European Union. Unable to cross into Europe and unable to turn back, they soon find themselves trapped in a rapidly escalating geopolitical standoff.

16:00-19:00: The Fire Inside + Q&A @ UCL East Cinema

The story of Claressa "T-Rex" Shields, a boxer from Flint, Mich., who trained to become the first woman in her country's history to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport.

19:00-22:00: Girls will be Girls + Panel @ Good Hotel (Closing Gala)

In a strict boarding school nestled in the Himalayas, 16-year-old Mira discovers desire and romance, but her rebellious sexual awakening is disrupted by her mother, who never got to come of age herself.