Nobody who attended the performances of Geraldine Connor’s epic masterpiece Carnival Messiah at Harewood House will ever forget it. Leeds-based director Ashley Karrell’s film takes you closer to the action than ever before – huge cast, loud music, spectacular carnival costumes. Also featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from both then and now.

This remarkable reimagining of Handel’s Messiah was a cultural landmark in the Leeds arts scene and was widely praised for its community engagement, bringing professionals, semi-professionals locals and international artists on to one stage. To this day, the Geraldine Connor Foundation is inundated with stories of the effect Carnival Messiah had on individuals and we are proud to say that we still work with many artists who played pivotal roles in the production.

PAST SCREENINGS:

• Saturday 16th September 2017, 7pm @ West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds (UK Premiere)
• Tuesday 7th November 2017, 8.15pm @ Leeds Town Hall (Leeds International Film Festival)
• Thursday 20th September 2018, 6pm @ MovieTowne, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival, International Premiere)
• Sunday 23rd September 2018, 3.30pm @ MovieTowne, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival)
• Sunday 30th September 2018, 2pm @ Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, Leeds (World On Our Doorstep Festival)

AWARDS & NOMINATIONS:

• Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival 2018 People’s Choice Award for Best Documentary – winner
• Leeds International Film Festival 2017 Audience Award for Best Retrospective Film Experience – runner up

CARNIVAL MESSIAH THE FILM & DOCUMENTARY HAS BEEN CREATED WITH THANKS TO ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND LOTTERY FUNDING, HAREWOOD HOUSE AND PANOPTICAL. THE GERALDINE CONNOR FOUNDATION WISHES TO THANK HAREWOOD HOUSE TRUST (REGISTERED CHARITY 517753) FOR PERMISSION TO SCREEN CARNIVAL MESSIAH.