March 2023 – recommended film and TV releases

Get ready for an entertainment feast in March 2023, with the Snacks Not Included handpicked recommended film and TV releases for the month. We have a packed month to enjoy on the big screen and the comfort of your home, with the latest film festivals, new TV releases, talks, meet ups as well as some recommended international women’s day film events.

Lets get in it…..

Film Festivals & Special Events

First up, get ready to be transported to new worlds  are a host of new film festivals and special events in London.

Francophone West African Cinema

The Garden Cinema invites audiences to experience nine masterpieces arising from postcolonial and contemporary Francophone West Africa.

Amongst the screenings will be Ousmane Sembène’s Black Girl – a new rightful entry into the Sight & Sound top 100; Djibril Diop Mambéty’s classic Touki Bouki and Mati Diop’s 2019 movie Atlantics.

Alongside films and talks, this season will include special events involving live music readings, and food and drinks.

2 March – 8 May at Garden Cinema, London
https://www.thegardencinema.co.uk/season/francophone-west-african-cinema/

 

Decolonising Film Festivals and Curating African Cinemas Networking

Decolonising Film Festivals and Curating African Cinemas is a two-day networking event sharing practices and methodologies in film festival research and practice. This is an event series organised by Estrella Sendra and funded through the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Small Project Scheme.

This is a free networking and educational event open to students, researchers, festival-goers, cinephiles and the broader public in order to strengthen and broaden existing and new collaborations between African film festivals, researchers, and students & offer a collaborative and productive performative and discussion space, through the co-curation and co-organisation of a series of film screenings followed by discussions, with the presence of curators and researchers of each of these festivals.

6 and 7th March at Kings College London, Waterloo
Free
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/decolonising-film-festivals-and-curating-african-cinemas-networking-event-tickets-524459130377

 

Kinoketa Polish Film Festival

Organised by the Polish Cultural Institute and supported by the Polish Film Institute, the KINOTEKA Polish Film Festival returns to cinema screens for its 21st edition presenting an exciting line-up that spans over 60 years of Polish cinema. Showcasing a finely curated selection of extraordinary new features, many of them premieres for the UK, the festival simultaneously explores the depth of Polish cinema’s past with exceptionally presented screenings of classic films from some of the country’s most renowned filmmakers.

9 March – 27 April at various locations
https://kinoteka.org.uk/programme

 

Kino Short Film Open Mic

The Kino Short Film Open Mic is a great place to showcase your work non-competitively for free in front of an audience of fellow indie filmmakers!

Filmmakers present their work and have the opportunity to discuss their creations with audience and filmmakers alike. Both industry professionals and first-timers bring their shorts making the quality of cinema at each event both diverse and entertaining. And with such a broad spectrum of new work being screened, each event is a genuine reflection of the current output of the indie filmmaking community.

12 March at The Strongroom Bar, Shoreditch
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kino-short-film-open-mic-tickets-539813134617

 

The Batman in Concert

The Batman was the best of the more recent iterations of the character on the big screen and its classical music theme score is a powerful piece of music. Now you can experience the caped crusader like never before as a live symphony orchestra performs the blockbuster movie’s captivating score alongside the film for an unforgettable live concert experience.

18 March at Eventim Apollo
https://www.eventimapollo.com/events/the-batman-in-concert/

 

Hong Kong Film Festival UK

Running across venues in London, Manchester, Bristol, Nottingham, Birmingham, Cardiff & Edinburgh the Hong Kong Film Festival is back in its second edition with 27 feature films, documentaries and shorts, together with 11 online shorts; revolving around separation and migration, the 2019 anti-extradition protests, humanity amongst humans. With titles exploring Asia’s gaze, stories will also touch upon love, family, youth, memory, fantasy, and ultimately the meaning of film as art itself.

The Hong Kong Film Festival’s opening gala screening is the documentary If We Burn, documenting the pro democracy protests of summer 2019 together with a director Q&A.

18 March – 31 March at various locations
https://www.hkff.uk/all-events

 

Anime and Chill

Anime and Chill – have been providing an all-inclusive space for lovers of anime and gaming for the past 3 years. Later this month they’ll be holding their first night at the Boxpark Shoreditch. Expect DJs, live performances, anime karaoke, quizzes and cosplay. If you’ve never been to an Anime and Chill night check their instagram – https://www.instagram.com/animeandchilluk/ – it’s recommended for all lovers of anime. It’s going to be lit

19 March at the Boxpark Shoreditch
Free
https://www.boxpark.co.uk/shoreditch/events/anime-and-chill/date/3939/2023-03-19/2023-03-19/

 

The New Black Film Collective XPO 2023

The New Black Film Collective work to create and cultivate a vibrant Black ecosystem in the UK film and TV sector by championing Black-led film production, distribution, exhibition and preserving Black filmmaking and television. They have regular free screenings together with talks and Q&As in east London, as well as regular screenings and parties for the deaf community.

This month they’ll bring their second TNB XPO 2023. Welcoming hundreds of film industry practitioners, filmmakers, distributors, educators, producers and on screen talent to connect with, discover and amplify both UK and international Black cinema over two days.

As well as screening some of the best films from Black creators of African descent, the expo will also feature talks and workshops by experts from across the industry.

29 March – 30 March at The Rich Mix, Shoreditch
Free
https://www.tnbfc.co.uk/tnb-xpo-23

 

London Film Fair

The London Film Fair has been running for the past 50 years, for anyone with an interest in stills, vintage posters, magazines, books, dvds, soundtracks, autographs and more.

The conventions presents dealers from all over the UK, Europe, US, Canada, Australia and South America that specializes in vintage and modern film memorabilia. Items cover the history of cinema from the silents to the present day blockbusters.

The London Film Fair will appeal to avid film buffs, collectors, archivists researchers and students.

A must for anyone with an interest in cinema and cult television

26 March at The Royal National Hotel, Russel Square
https://londonfilmconvention.co.uk/event/jan-2/

 

We Are Parable – 10 year anniversary celebrations

We Are Parable have been providing a space for audiences around the UK with opportunities to respond to and experience Black cinema. They are going from strength to strength every year. We have mentioned many of their screenings on the podcast and their 10 year celebration is going to be off the chain. The exact details are still under wraps but we know it’s going to be off the chain.

It’s happening between 31 March – 2 April in Brixton. Sign up to their mailing list to get the full details when it happens – www.weareparable.com

 

International Women’s Day Film Events

Here are the Snacks Not Included recommendations for International Women’s events this month.

 

Misbehaviour Screening

This film tells the story of a group of women who hatch a plan to disrupt the 1970 Miss World beauty competition in London.

Jessie Buckley stars in the movie (alongside Keira Knightley and Gugu Mbatha-Raw) as one of the activists Jo Robinson. The real Jo Robinson herself will be in attendance for a Q&A after the film

8 March, Wood Street Library, Walthamstow
Free
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/international-womens-day-movie-guest-speaker-wood-street-library-tickets-524735266307

 

Below The Belt Preview

A special screening of the new documentary film Below The Belt which is executive produced by Hillary Clinton and Rosario Dawson.

A groundbreaking film examining the challenges people with endometriosis are facing. There is no known cure for this disease and often patients undergo several surgeries in hope of some relief.

8 March at Sir William Borlase’s School, Marlow
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/below-the-belt-special-screening-for-international-womens-day-tickets-541783307457

 

Women Behind The Wheel

This special screening to mark International Women’s Day will be followed by a q&a with co-directors Catherine Haigh and Hannah Congdon.

Cat and Hannah, two British women in their twenties, take on the treacherous 3000km drive along Central Asia’s Pamir Highway – the second highest international road on Earth – and one that few women have undertaken solo. It runs from the southern Uzbek deserts, through Tajikistan’s Pamir mountain range, climbing over 4600m into Kyrgyzstan and all the way to its vibrant capital, Bishkek.

Their route brings them to the doorsteps of women from all walks of life, revealing a women’s movement that’s had as many ups and downs as the drive itself. A 78 year-old gynaecologist recalls the turbulent transition from Soviet rule to independence, and testimonies of domestic abuse, ‘bride kidnapping’ and religious extremism expose the region’s complex attitude to women’s rights.

8 March at The Garden Cinema, London
https://www.thegardencinema.co.uk/film/women-behind-the-wheel/

 

Evening with Women Filmmakers

Come out to watch three short films made by three female filmmakers – Anniwaa Buachie, Jagoda Puczko and Charysse Tia Harper.

Anniwaa (Ghanaian-British actress/director/producer) shows us the similarities and differences of women in the black community. Jagoda (Polish director/editor) offers a glimpse into the unlikely relationship between a young girl wishing to reunite with a loved one and a recently widowed man who is searching for the same; and, Charysse Tia (Trini-American director/producer) presents stories from five women, some of who put their lives on the line, to fulfil their passion working in male-dominated professions.

21 March at the Shoe Lane Library, London
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/evening-with-women-filmmakers-tickets-551449469207

 

New Film Releases

Here are the Snacks Not Included recommendations for the new cinema releases for these months of March.

Creed III

Michael B. Jordan in his directorial debut and also starring Jonathan Majors and filmed in IMAX. The early reviews have been great and its widely know that the inspiration for a lot of the action scenes and the character tensions were from anime like Naruto. We’ll review this on the podcast real soon for sure

In cinemas 3 March

 

Akira: 35th Anniversary Special Edition

Katsuhiro Ôtomo’s 1988 cyberpunk masterpiece AKIRA returns to our screens this March, in eye-popping 4K – in celebration of its 35th Anniversary!. Get on it

10 March – 16 March at The Prince Charles Cinema
https://princecharlescinema.com/PrinceCharlesCinema.dll/Home

 

Everything Everywhere All At Once in IMAX

It a one time chance to see the 10 time Oscar nominated film in IMAX format. Get on it before you miss out!!!

13 March at BFI IMAX

 

Pi: The 25th Anniversary IMAX Experience

Shown on the day after Pi day, this special screening of Darren Aronofsky’s Pi will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ground breaking first feature. The screening will also feature a pre-recorded Q&A with the man himself.

15 March at the BFI IMAX

 

Pearl

Mia Goth is going from strength to strength. She returns in the prequel to her horror smash hit of last year X directed by Ti West.

Pearl is set in 1918, and tells the story of a young woman on the brink of madness pursues stardom in a desperate attempt to escape the drudgery, isolation and lovelessness of life on her parents’ farm.

The film was secretly filmed alongside X and the reviews so far have been big. If you were a fan of X, definitely go and check Pearl on its release.

In cinemas 17 March

 

Rye Lane

From breakout director Raine Allen-Miller, Rye Lane is a romantic comedy that stars Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson, as Yas and Dom, two twenty-somethings both reeling from bad break-ups, who connect over the course of an eventful day in South London – helping each other deal with their nightmare exes, and potentially restoring their faith in romance.

This film is a love letter to Peckham. Look out for the preview screenings with director Q&As at the BFI Southbank and the Peckhamplex.

In cinemas from 17 March and streaming on Disney+ from 31 March

 

Infinity Pool

Brandon Cronenberg is back with his follow up for the great Possessor, with Infinity Pool starring Mia Goth (in her second appearance in this month’s listing) and Alexander Skarsgård.

Infinity Pool tells the story of a couple at an all-inclusive beach vacation in the fictional island of La Tolqa, when a fatal accident exposes the resort’s perverse subculture of hedonistic tourism, reckless violence and surreal horrors.

The full NC-17 cut has only been shown at Sundance. I feel like its going to be an eat the rich tale but told in a very Brandon Cronenberg way with blood and body horror – I can’t wait.

In cinemas 24 March

 

TV and streaming

Here are the Snacks Not Included recommendations for new and returning shows for the small screen.

 

The Mandalorian

Mando and Grogu are back for the 3rd season of the Star Wars universe space western and we’re all for it. Together with the recent Andor, Disney have been bringing the heat with Star Wars universe TV series.

Streaming on Disney+ on 1 March

 

Luther: Fallen Sun

Luther is back with a feature length film following of the back of the 5th season on BBC. Idris Elba reprises his role as Luther and it also stars Cynthia Erivo and Andy Serkis as he hunts a serial killer who is terrorising London

Streaming on Netflix 10 March

 

Extrapolations

Extrapolations is a bracing drama from writer, director and executive producer Scott Z. Burns that introduces a near future where the chaotic effects of climate change have become embedded into our everyday lives. Eight interwoven stories about love, work, faith and family from across the globe will explore the intimate, life-altering choices that must be made when the planet is changing faster than the population. Every story is different, but the fight for our future is universal.

The series stars Meryl Streep, Sienna Miller, Kit Harington, Daveed Diggs, Edward Norton, Diane Lane, Tahar Rahim, Yara Shahidi, Matthew Rhys, Gemma Chan, David Schwimmer, Adarsh Gourav, Keri Russell, Marion Cotillard, Forest Whitaker, Eiza González, Murray Bartlett, Indira Varma, Tobey Maguire, MaameYaa Boafo, Hari Nef, Heather Graham, Michael Gandolfini, Cherry Jones, Gaz Choudhry, Ben Harper, Judd Hirsch and Neska Rose.

Many of these big interwoven anthologies with all the stars in have more money than vibes, but this looks really interesting.

Steaming on Apple+ 17 March

 

Swarm

Hot of the successes of Atlanta, Donald Glover is back with his new series Swarm. Swarm follows Dre (Dominique Fishback), a young woman whose obsession with a pop star takes a dark turn. This drama / thriller / horror of sorts looks like it will take a look into the darkside of stan culture. Its clear the musician in the show is based on Beyoncé, especially when you hear that the previous title of the show was Hive.

Streaming on Amazon Prime 17 March

 

Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets is back for a second season. Like a sort of new age Lost, but at the same time a whole different animal Yellowjackets tells the tale of wildly talented high school girls’ soccer players descend into savage clans after their plane crashes in the remote northern wilderness. Twenty-five years later, they discover that what began in the wild is far from over.

This show was one of the hits of 2022 and back for its second season. It really took the shine from the also very good The Wilds on Amazon Prime which is also worth watching.

Streaming 24 March on Showtime / Paramount+

 

The Power

The Power, is an emotionally driven global thriller, based on Naomi Alderman’s international award-winning novel. The world of The Power is our world, but for one twist of nature. Suddenly, and without warning, teenage girls develop the power to electrocute people at will. The Power follows a cast of remarkable characters from London to Seattle, Nigeria to Eastern Europe, as the Power evolves from a tingle in teenagers’ collarbones to a complete reversal of the power balance of the world.

Steaming on Amazon Prime 31 March

 

Copycat Killer

Last but not least, the highly anticipated Taiwanese thriller, Copycat Killer. The show is based on famed Japanese mystery writer Miyabe Miyuki’s bestselling novel of the same name, is set in the 1990s and tells the story of Kuo Hsiao-chi (Wu Kang-ren), a veteran homicide prosecutor handling his first-ever serial killer case, and how he tries to bring justice to the perpetrator. With the murderer’s repeated aggravations, Hsiao-chi is determined to find the key piece of evidence to crack the case, even if it means putting his life on the line.

Streaming on Netflix 31 March

 

So, what are you waiting for? Grab some snacks, get comfortable, and get ready for a month of unforgettable entertainment.

 

Be sure to check out the previous months versions of this article. Whist the date has past there are still some great TV and film recommendations in there:

June 2021

February 2021

January 2021

September 2020

June 2020