Category Archives: General Information

BFI Film Club Blackpool

Want to make your own films and see them on the big screen?

We’re looking for 15 budding filmmakers aged 12-15 yrs living in Blackpool to take part in Blackpool’s first BFI film club.

  • A filmmaking group for 12-15 year olds.
  • 6 April 2021 – 19 June 2021
  • 10 sessions and a showcase event

You’ll learn how films are made and with help from our industry professionals you’ll try your hand at lots of different skills including scriptwriting, model-making, filming on location, cinematography and video editing.

Your final film will be shown at a big showcase event and you’ll be able to invite all your friends and family.

Sessions also include workshops from Aardman Animations as well as a cinema trip. Plus, you’ll receive cinema vouchers when you screen your film at the final showcase event.

This is a great opportunity to try out creative filming techniques using a variety of kit. With plenty of expert guidance, you’ll pick up some handy skills that will make your films stand out, whether you’re completely new to filmmaking or pretty experienced.

The sessions will run from Tuesday 8 April (Easter Holidays) to Saturday 19 June 2021 and will are supported by qualified youth workers from the Magic Club Blackpool.

Session Dates

  • Tues 6 April,  ONLINE
  • Thurs 8 April, ONLINE
  • Weds 21 April,  ONLINE
  • Weds 5 May, ONLINE
  • Weds 12 May,  ONLINE
  • Sat 22 May
  • Sat 29 May
  • Tues 1 June
  • Thurs 3 June
  • Sat 12 June
  • Sat 19 June

If we can’t carry out face-to-face sessions due to covid, they will be held online. We will provide the necessary resources.

Face to face sessions (22 May onwards) will run from 10am – 1pm, you’re also welcome to stay for lunch which runs from 1-2pm.

How do I sign up?

Sign up now!

The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 4 April 2021.

What will I get out of it?

By taking part in the BFI Film Club, you’ll:

  • Explore all aspects of hands-on filmmaking helping you to develop your practical knowledge and skills working alongside industry professionals who are respected practitioners in their field.
  • Work with other young people to make new films that will be screened at a big showcase event.
  • Meet industry experts such as directors, writers, costume makers.
  • Watch a range of films and gain a real insight into the exciting world of cinema. Finding out what skills and experience you need to be part of the future film industry.
  • Become part of the BFI Film Club Alumni and access exclusive opportunities, advice and professional development after the course has finished.

Who can join?

To join the club you must:

  • Be aged 12–15 years old on the first day of the course
  • Be based in Blackpool
  • Have an interest in filmmaking
  • Be able to commit to the duration of the course (11 sessions between Tuesday 6 April to Saturday 19 June 2021).

Where is it?

The first five sessions will take part online. We will send you any materials needed for you to take part in the activities. The following sessions will be delivered face-to-face at The Old Electric on Springfield Road, Blackpool. There will also be visits to the cinema and to special filming locations – you will receive details on sign up.

Is it expensive?

This activity is free for young people living in Blackpool.
There is also additional help for those that need it:

  • We provide a sandwich lunch at our face-to-face sessions
  • We have a small fund available for transport costs, e.g. bus fares

Questions?

Please email us!

This film club is hosted by Aunty Social CIC, with youth worker support from the Magic Club and film tutors from Blackpool School of Arts (Film Studies). Our activity venue is The Old Electric

This is a British Film Institute Film Club. This project is supported by the BFI and funded by the National Lottery and DCMS.

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Winter Gardens Film Festival COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statement

In line with the UK Government’s public health advice we are sad to announce that we are postponing this year’s Winter Gardens Film Festival which was due to take place from 22 to 25 May 2020. 

We hope to reschedule the festival later in the year and will share any new dates with you as soon as we can confirm them. For those who have bought event tickets, we have issued full refunds so please check your bank accounts and emails.

Thank you to all our supporters and volunteers. Over the next few months, we’ll make use of our social media and video channels to share some of our favourite moments from past festivals and online film recommendations. We’ll also talk to artists, guests, volunteers and filmmakers, so that we can continue to nurture our little Festival community and hopefully welcome some new folks too!

A special thank you goes out to Arts Council England, who have agreed to continue funding support for the postponed performance and artists’ moving image projects. This means that the artists we have planned to work with, will still receive their commissions and be able to create new work at this difficult time.

Our first priority is the health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers, audiences, artists and filmmakers. We wish you the very best of health, please do your best to stay safe.

Catherine, Clancy and the Festival Team.

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Introducing the Winter Gardens Film Festival

FF LogoThe Winter Gardens Film Festival is a ground breaking new event showcasing the best of modern and classic black and white film in the spectacular historical setting of the Blackpool Winter Gardens. The main screenings will take place in the magnificent Opera House, opened by Jessie Matthews and Sonny Hale in 1939 as one of the most luxurious and sophisticated combination theatres and super cinemas of the pre-war period. There will also be screenings in the Grand Foyer, Derham Room and the Elizabethan splendour of the Baronial Hall.

The programme for 2016 is varied, taking in a range of genres from classic musical, comic horror, silent classics and contemporary comedy, along with a range of event cinema.  On Friday 22nd we have an evening of glamour preceded by a cocktail party in the art deco foyer of the Opera House.  We’ll also be hosting a Cinema in the Dark performance of Carnival of the Souls, a truly spine chilling experience which will be followed by a full screening of the film by candlelight.  By contrast, on Saturday afternoon there’ll be a chance to play your ukulele along with George Formby in a screening of Keep Your Seats Please! 

Most tickets have been priced at £5.00 for individual screenings (£7.50 for event screenings) to keep them accessible and if you want to see everything, a wrist band for the whole festival is only £30.00.  This allows you to see all 14 films (or as many as you want) and gives you free tickets to the special events, including our launch party.  The first 20 to book wristbands will also receive a limited edition goody bag worth £30!

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