West by South West initiative

Film West by South West Initiative

Made possible by a RIFE Lottery Grant from South West Screen and UK Film Council

So far, the initiative, led by Chris Baker, has helped set up four new screens in Cornwall including Cinema by the Sea in Looe, which won a Distinction in the New Film Society category in the BFFS’s Annual Awards back in March 2007. In the second half of 2007, the focus moved to Devon with a new venue launched in Lympstone and a lot of activity in the Torbay area. And the process shows no sign of slowing down in 2008 as the project has eleven prospects on its books from Teignmouth to Portishead and Painswick. Here’s a round-up of some of these new and prospective screens…

Lympstone launched their new venture back in September with a full house of 115 for Cinema Paradiso and have continued with successful monthly screenings. In December, they had a ‘Black and White’ evening featuring films from the Marx Brothers and Buster Keaton and are planning matinees of classic for an older audience this January.
Torbay Film Club had a trial screening of The Lives of Others at the end of November, projected by Chris Baker, attracting an audience of 65. a first season is planned from April at Torbay Museum.
Teignmouth Film Society had an audience of 150 for Pan’s Labyrinth also in November, at the Community College Arts Centre and are promising 12 films a year with a strong local input.
Portishead Film Society has a trial screening of Little Miss Sunshine lined up for the Gordano School on 7th February.
Liskerrett Film Society was launched in September 2007 at Liskerrett Community Centre (Liskeard). Despite it being a very wet evening on 4th January, nearly 40 film enthusiasts enjoyed the period drama Becoming Jane the story of the romance that inspired Jane Austin's writing career. The Society which shows films at the Liskerrett Community Centre in Varley Lane, Liskeard on the first Friday of each month have recently produced their programme for the first six months of the year.

If you would like to follow these groups and start your own film venture, we can provide help in a number of ways - advice and expertise on professional equipment, how to book films and DVDs, including our own block booking scheme, and publicity material. Send off to the BFFS office for a start-up pack for all you need to know.