The North East International Film Festival (NEIFF) has revealed its full 2025 programme, featuring an exciting line-up of international premieres, red-carpet galas, and powerful independent films.
The festival will run from 20–26 October, with screenings and events taking place across Newcastle and the wider North East.
Now officially recognised as a BIFA-qualifying festival, NEIFF is fast becoming one of the UK’s most dynamic cultural showcases, celebrating global cinema, amplifying underrepresented voices, and proudly delivering a carbon-negative festival experience.
Programme Highlights:
This year’s programme features a diverse selection of over 100 films strategically chosen from around the world, including UK and international premieres, student showcases, and special themed strands exploring disability, Virtual Reality, LGBTQ+ stories, and environmental narratives.
Opening Gala (21 Oct) – A celebration at Tyneside Cinema featuring the Festival Opening Screening of Bone Lake, preceded by an exclusive industry networking reception.
Spotlight Screenings – Acclaimed international features, shorts, and documentaries across multiple venues including Tyneside Cinema, Everyman Cinema, The Exchange, Alphabetti Theatre, and The Black Swan.
Industry Programme – Panels, Q&As, and masterclasses with leading North East filmmakers, creatives, and industry experts.
Awards Gala (26 Oct) – Closing night celebration with jury and audience awards, honouring outstanding achievements in filmmaking.
Tickets for all screenings and events are now available at www.neiff.co.uk. Early booking is strongly encouraged, with festival passes offering the best value for film lovers.
Edinburgh-based LS Tuition has officially launched its new initiative, The Accessing Excellence Studio to support the increasing number of families who are looking to move…
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/the-outside-of-bangkok-poutine-right-the-interior-of-bangkok-poutine.jpg?id=60510214&width=600&height=600&coordinates=272%2C0%2C273%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>A little <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/poutine" target="_blank">poutine restaurant</a> is making major waves in the Quebec food scene. But you'll need a plane ticket to eat there. </p><p>Earlier this week, someone in a <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Habs/comments/1l2jr4i/spotted_in_bangkok/?share_id=bawJHjKn3VEcNHhKtmzvF&utm_content=2&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1" target="_blank">Montreal Canadiens Reddit group</a> shared a photo of a Thailand restaurant called Bangkok Poutine, and the internet quickly fell down a gravy-covered rabbit hole. From the red and blue sign to the vintage Canadiens merch and Quebec license plates hanging inside, the whole place screams l<em>a belle province</em> — even though it's about 13,000 kilometres away.</p>
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<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Habs/comments/1l2jr4i/spotted_in_bangkok/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button"></a> from <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Habs">Habs</a>
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<p><br/></p><p>Replies to the post ranged from confused to excited, and a few users recalled stumbling upon it on their travels.</p><p>"I remember thinking I was having a fever dream when my jetlagged ass saw this place in Bangkok last year," one comment read.</p><p>"Actually better than expected!" another user added.</p><p>As it turns out, Bangkok Poutine has been open since 2011, and it was <a href="https://www.lapresse.ca/voyage/2024-02-03/petit-tour-du-monde-de-la-poutine.php" target="_blank">founded by none other than Bruno Blanchet,</a> a Montreal-born comedian and writer who moved to Thailand and decided to bring a taste of Quebec with him.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/fI1YVwneoH/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/fI1YVwneoH/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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<p>As for what's on the menu, it's full of wild takes on the classic dish, including a Mexican-style poutine with a fried egg, schnitzel poutine, and even a spicy Thai version. It's not exactly what you'd get at a casse-croûte, but it's definitely poutine.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B7nyCILHCvM/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B7nyCILHCvM/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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<p>The interior matches the elaborate signage out front, featuring a dining area decked out with Nordiques memorabilia, vintage Habs gear, SPVM patches, and a ton of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bangkokpoutine/photos/pb.100046440565564.-2207520000/684096728416097/?type=3" target="_blank">letters from Quebecers</a>, which adorn the walls inside.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXAhsWRPecN/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXAhsWRPecN/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Unsurprisingly, the eatery acts as a bit of a magnet for Quebecers abroad.</p><p>TikTok user Elsa Beauséjour is one of many patrons who couldn't resist trying it. Beauséjour posted a glowing review of the spot in May, giving it a 10/10 for "non-Québécoise poutine." She added, "In Quebec, it would be like a 7/10" — which honestly still isn't bad.</p><blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@elsa.beausejour0/video/7502454109740485889" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7502454109740485889">
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<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@elsa.beausejour0" target="_blank" title="@elsa.beausejour0">@elsa.beausejour0</a>
<p>Thaïlande vs poutine #tastetest #poutine #quebectiktok #quebec #voyage</p>
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<script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><p>Bangkok Poutine originally launched <a href="https://lesasdelinfo.com/articles/1957/manger-de-la-poutine-en-thailande?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">thanks to Blanchet's ex-partner, Onnicha,</a> a Thailand native. After their separation, the restaurant was passed on to another Québécois — and it's still going strong over a decade later.</p><p>So if you're ever in Southeast Asia and craving a taste of home, there's a little red-and-blue diner waiting for you — with curds, gravy, and probably a "Go Habs Go" chant or two.</p>
