SCHEDULE
friday 8th september
6.00pm - capoeira workshop with michael nelson-cole
This workshop will take place at the Tottenham Community Sports Centre Boxing gym from 6-8pm and is open to all ages. Michael Nelson-Cole will teach the basics of Capoeira and explain it’s origin and background. Come and move, jump, kick, and see what you’re capable of! Entry is just £5.
SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER
10.30AM - SHORT FILMS IN COMPETITION PART 1 (18)
In our Short Films Screening we will be showing a mix of fiction and documentaries, all produced by film makers from around the world. Whether you like traditional kung fu, modern hard hitting action, or real life stories, there will be something for you! Short films screening in this sesssion are:
Z-43
Sold
Death and Taxes
Born to Fight
Spirit Hunters
Puppet Story
Paruthlaak
Ascendants
Art of Crossing
Prey
TORI: Symphony of Vengeance
Killer Heels
Swollen
Sunny
1.40PM - SAKRA 天龍八部之喬峯傳 (15) SUPPORTED BY THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE
Fighting Spirit presents the only UK screening of Sakra. Action legend Donnie Yen returns to directing and also stars in this latest fantasy adventure, where vengeance and martial arts collide to spectacular effect!
This screening will be preceded by the short film "Spider-Chan".
4.10PM - FREE SEMINAR: MARTIAL ARTS IN FICTION WITH GORAN POWELL AND CHRIS BRADFORD
Authors Goran Powell and Chris Bradford discuss the importance of storytelling/narrative in martial arts fiction.
Goran Powell is a freelance writer and 6th Dan in Goju Ryu Karate. He teaches and trains at Daigaku Karate Kai London, one of the UK’s strongest clubs. In 2006 his first book 'Waking Dragons' was an instant bestseller on Amazon’s martial arts listing. His novels include the award-winning historical fiction titles 'A Sudden Dawn' and 'Chojun', and the Cold War thriller, 'Matryoshka'. Returning to non-fiction, 'Every Waking Moment' is an advanced training manual for the 30 Man Kumite while ‘Karate on a Cushion’ is his experience of Zen practice and the connection to martial arts. In 2017, Goran was awarded Writer of the Year at the British Martial Arts Awards.
Chris Bradford is the multi-million copy bestselling author of the Young Samurai and Bodyguard series. Renowned for his dynamic author events and ‘method writing’ technique, Chris is a black belt martial artist, qualified professional bodyguard and former musician. His books are published in twenty-five languages and have garnered over thirty-five children’s book awards and nominations, including the Carnegie Medal and Red House Children’s Book Award. His life goal is #GettingKidsReading.
5.35PM - YES, MADAM 皇家師姐 (18)
This year’s classic film is one of the most historic films in Hong Kong cinema, notably marked by the debuts of action legend Cynthia Rothrock, and international superstar Michelle Yeoh. Featuring a now legendary final action sequence, Yes, Madam is one of the bookmarks of Hong Kong cinema, and Fighting Spirit are proud to collaborate with Eureka Entertainment to bring this restoration to the big screen.
7.35PM - KUNG FU LION (12) + Q&A
Fighting Sprit presents the first feature film we have selected by a female director (Froukje Tan) - the UK Premiere of Kung Fu Lion, a Dutch production led by former Dutch karate champion Tyrell Williams, and with action sequences designed by Pau Han Kho and Shu Ming Tong, who became known to our audiences for their kung fu steampunk short Steam, which we screened in 2018. The film also stars HK legend Lau Kar Yung, nephew to the late Lau Kar Leung.
After the screening there will be a Q&A with director Froukje Tan and action choreographer Pau Han Kho.
9.45PM - LAYER OF LIES (18)
For the team at Fighting Spirit it is always an exciting time to see short film makers making the transition into shooting feature films. ‘Layer of Lies’ is the debut feature from Ramin Sohrab, a stuntman and actor who produced the short ‘Reload’ that was part of FSFF2022. ‘Layer of Lies’ is the first ever Finnish-Iranian action film, and is a feature film that combines classic action drama with the power of low-budget filmmaking as per Sohrab’s vision. 'Layer Of Lies' tells the story of a man who's past catches up with him, as he struggles to save the people he loves from a madman intent on revenge.
SUNDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER
10.30AM - SHORT FILMS IN COMPETITION PART 2 (18)
In our Short Films Screening we will be showing a mix of fiction and documentaries, all produced by film makers from around the world. Whether you like traditional kung fu, modern hard hitting action, or real life stories, there will be something for you!
Kin
Rogue Cop
My Son, The Fighter
Agentin Wu
Innermost
My Two Left Feet
Varadhan
Queenie
2 Blokes Fighting
Seek
Windows
Connecting
Dojo
The Wrong Guy
1.25PM - EJ's WARRIORS PART 2 - CHARITY SCREENING
We present the sequel to EJ’s Warriors - following on from the first part which we screened in 2021, this continues the story of EJ’s students, and includes views from the Warriors, other student’s, and their parent’s perspective in overcoming obstacles, and finding success. This screening is not ticketed and there will be a charity collection upon entry.
3.15PM - FREE SEMINAR: FROM MARTIAL ARTIST TO ACTOR WITH JESS LIAUDIN
Jess Liaudlin talks about how martial arts led him into making a career in film and TV.
Jess Liaudin was born in Evry, France. Coming from a very underprivileged background and being homeless by the age of 14, Jess found refuge in martial arts and went on to master a multitude of different styles and fought around the world at the highest levels including in the UFC.
As a natural performer Jess took a number of acting classes and very quickly began his film career, appearing initially in small roles where he performed his own stunts to gain the necessary experience. It did not take long for Jess to play his first lead villain in the French thriller Night Fare, and shortly after he worked with highly regarded filmmaker Will Wender in Submergence. That led to Jess acting opposite James McAvoy and later Helen Mirren (Anna), Alicia Vikander (Irma Vep) and Vincent Cassel (Liaison) to name but a few. Having proved himself as an actor and with his great athletic ability Jess was spotted to join the action film world when he faced Donnie Yen (Big Brother), Thomas Jane (One Ranger) and Scott Adkins (One Shot) as a lead antagonist.
4.15PM - WALID (18) + Q&A
For the first time ever, Fighting Spirit will present an action feature film from Malaysia. From the same team behind 2019’s Deed of Death, WALID delivers a similar brand of bone breaking action that will leave fans in awe.
This screening will be preceded by the the short film Chopsticks! (directors cut)
After the screening there will be a Q&A with director Areel Abu Bakar.
7.40PM - THE SMOKE MASTER (18) + Q&A
Written, produced and directed by director duo Andre Sigwalt and Augusto Soares, this Brazilian production is completely independent, with all the elements of an epic film and an unusual mix of genres. It is an action movie, with emphasis on Kung Fu, inspired by the Hong Kong cinema of the 60s, and at the same time, a stoner movie comedy based on American counterculture films from the 70s to 90s.
After the screening there will be a Q&A with co-directors Andre Sigwalt and Augusto Soares.