HOME Announces PUSH 2017, A Two-Week Extraordinary Festival Shining A Light On Regional Talent

HOME, in association with Auto Trader, is delighted to announce the return of PUSH, its annual two-week festival providing an opportunity for some of the North West's most exciting and vibrant artists to present their work, including theatre and for the first time also film and visual art.

PUSH 2017 will feature an exhibition, screenings and over 30 performances, events, panel discussions and workshops, taking place throughout HOME's theatre spaces, cinemas and gallery, all showcasing the region's fantastic and varied talent whilst offering opportunities for creatives to pick up hints and tips from industry experts on everything from how to survive Edinburgh to securing funding for a short film.

Highlights include a new commission of The Island by Louise Wallwein, the Sea, the Volunteer and the Refugee, directed by Susan Roberts; People Zoo Productions' The Trial; a dance-based workshop teaching participants how to Vogue, led by unique and dynamic choreographer Darren Pritchard; Pen:Chant, digging up the best from spoken word, comedy, live music and contemporary performance hosted by award-winning writer and performer Ben Mellor; Fly In Your Soup's Betty; Now Is The Moment we Learn Hope by Mighty HeArt Theatre; the exhibition launch of Victoria Lucas' Lay of the land (and other such myths), curated by Mark Devereux Projects; a preview of local filmmaker Jason Wingard's first feature film The Crossing; a panel discussion on how to work with curators and galleries; Random Acts: First Acts, a workshop with Channel 4's Random Acts North team; and a range of other creative and unique workshops and panel discussions that explore Kafka's characters, the art of digital marketing, theatre without words, getting ahead in VFX, mindfulness and thinking outside the box.

Isabelle Croissant, PUSH Producer, HOME, said: "We are extremely privileged to work with the fantastic calibre of artistic talent the North West of England has to offer, and are thrilled to celebrate and showcase the wonderful work they create during PUSH. The festival will also provide an excellent opportunity for creatives to connect with each other, industry experts and their audiences, which will hopefully inspire exciting future collaborations and projects."

Christos Tsaprounis, Head of Resourcing & Development, Auto Trader, added: "Developing and nurturing talent is a key part of the culture of Auto Trader. We are delighted to support the 2017 PUSH Festival which will celebrate the creativity we have in the region across film, theatre and visual art."

PUSH 2017 forms part of HOME's talent development programme inclusive of a new theatre strand which, with generous support from the Foyle Foundation, The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation and the Garrick Charitable Trust, offers support and opportunities to theatre makers at all career stages to develop and extend their practice. Highlights include a pilot two-year residency for one theatre maker to take part in a tailored development programme, leading to the commission of a piece of work for HOME's main stage; Made at HOME, a research and development programme for mid-career theatre makers to experiment and explore cross-artform ideas and collaborations; alongside a series of specialist skills workshops, directors' residencies in partnership with the JMK Trust, training courses and theatre festivals including PUSH and Orbit, showcasing some of the most exciting and critically acclaimed productions from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and beyond.