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Torbay Film Club is a not-for-profit group run by volunteers who want to see the finest independent and world cinema, in Torbay.
Films are shown on a monthly basis and are open to members and non-members, with the club “keen to make the screenings as sociable as possible, and before and after the films there will be an opportunity to have a drink and a chat about the film, whether you come on your own or with friends.”
The films shown are voted for democratically by members and the committee, with a mixture of English-language and subtitled films, with at least one ‘classic’ (pre- 1985) film.
“We look forward to welcoming you and sharing with you our enthusiasm for films.”
Website: torbayfilmclub.co.uk
The name of the film society, Thornbury Picture House, was inspired by the former cinema (1919-1959) in Thornbury near Bristol , owned in its entire existence by members of the famous cricketing Grace family.
TPH is in its fifth year showing mainly foreign-language films once a month for an eleven-month season. The selection panel filters the list of some fifty nominations down to the final eleven titles using “a little-understood iterative transferable vote system, which curiously does tend to produce a balanced programme.”
The society has just fitted a brand new 16” screen in a former Wesleyan chapel donated to the town in 1888 by the local coalfield magnate Handel Cossham.
Membership, which costs £30 per annum, has been growing steadily over the last five years, and currently stands at just under 100 – “a good fit in our new premises.”
Website: thornburypicturehouse.org
Ayr Film Society was founded in 1973 and is just entering its 38th season, with 113 members.
The society is affiliated to the British Federation of Film Societies and its remit is to provide screenings of, in the main, non commercial film titles, both English-speaking and foreign-language as an art form and an educational forum.
The society won a 'Distinction' award at the BFFS National Awards Ceremony in 2009 for the category Best Programming and, again, in 2010 won a 'Commendation' award for the same category, and were the overall UK winners in the category Best Programme Notes.
Website: ayrfilmsociety.co.uk
Keswick Film Club was born in 1998, and now has nearly 300 members.
The society screens a fairly high percentage of films in foreign languages (with English subtitles), as well as the best they can find of non-mainstream British and US titles (which has occasionally won them the BFFS Best Programme Award).
Their policy is “to seek out a wide range of high quality films, which may often be challenging and educative, not just choosing those which are likely to prove most popular, and we invite speakers, particularly to our festival (held annually in February) to elucidate their work.”
Website: keswickfilmclub.org
Cheltenham Film Society has been thriving in Cheltenham for over sixty years, and currently have over 300 members - of different ages, backgrounds and interests.
Most of the films shown are in foreign languages (always shown with English subtitles), but the society also shows a few lesser-known UK/US films.
The society states: “In our selection we look for films that may give an insight into foreign cultures, that make the audience think, that provide a fresh slant on modern political or moral issues, that illustrate novel film making techniques, or demonstrate plain brilliant acting.”
Website: cheltfilmsoc.org.uk
The society screens movies from throughout the South East Asian region, which includes China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, etc., under the banner ‘Coventry Close Encounters’.
“With the independent distribution scene in North America and Europe struggling in the current economic conditions (the collapse of Tartan DVD as the obvious example), the distribution of even major East Asian movies is often heavily delayed or simply fails to materialize. In short, availability, access and more importantly an awareness and appreciation of the wide range and diverse films of the East Asian cinemas can be unfortunately somewhat limited. In light of this, CEAFS will select a programme of films with a focus on contemporary South East Asian films that are currently unreleased and unavailable in the UK.”
Films are screened on a weekly basis in the Ellen Terry Building on Wednesdays at 2pm. The screenings also provide a forum for critical discussion and debate on East Asian Film. The screenings launched on 21st October 2009.
Screenings are free and everyone is welcome.
“Whilst the appreciation of East Asian film is paramount, the goal is to facilitate and encourage international students to have a better experience at Coventry University and to offer a space to promote social interactions and relations among all our students.”
Website: mcopenmediacoventry.org/cueafs
