Why Films in Berwick?
Berwick Film Society was set up after filmgoers’ appetites were whetted by the first Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival in 2005. Opening with a mini-season to test the water, followed by a full first season in the autumn of 2006, BFS has gone from strength to strength with ever-growing support. Its raison d’être is to bring to Berwick and surrounding communities a unique programme of movies from all over the world. We feel we can take our audiences to places, cultures and filmic experiences which they are unlikely otherwise to come across. The BFS team are committed to bringing quality films to Berwick: films which make you think; films which take you somewhere special; films which linger in the memory.
Locally-based filmshows provide an event for the community and encourage people to come out and meet up, without having to make a city journey. Try us out by just turning up on a screening night and pay on the door before you commit yourself! However, subscribing to Berwick Film Society is the very best deal.
Finally, we confess to being hopelessly biased: BFS believe a strong programme of films can provoke discussion, offer insight, escape, inspiration, a mental and visual feast and — not least — a really good night out! In this time of everyone feeling the big pinch, popping out to see a film is a relatively inexpensive way to enjoy a few hours of escapism.
Who are we?
Genni Poole: Coordinator John Spiers: Subscriptions Maurice Ward: Finance
A small but committed team of locally-based individuals sharing a huge passion for film. We come from professional backgrounds in project management, event organisation, libraries and adult education. We organise filmshows, research and select titles for Berwick Film Society in an entirely voluntary capacity, and our filmnight stewards are also volunteers. BFS welcomes offers of assistance! If you are interested in volunteering, contact us.
What kind of films do we show?
It’s increasingly difficult to box films into categories and perhaps we shouldn’t try. Broadly, we aim to include a range of films: from around the world, through vintage classics, to contemporary gems. We are not a commercial cinema, blockbusters are not our remit (and new releases are not immediately available to Film Societies). We pledge to bring some cracking and memorable movies to our audiences: from quirky, to controversial to downright masterpieces.
Argue that you can watch movies at home if you like, but you can’t beat seeing a great film on the Big Screen! Besides, it’s a night out and a change of scene plus a chance to mix with other film-goers if you feel like socialising.
Screening Sherlock Jr
In September 2009, Berwick Film Society presented a Silent Film Classic screening of Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr. with live music accompaniment in joint collaboration with Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival. (Photo: Chris Lloyd)
Who decides the film programme?
A small panel of film enthusiasts with contrasting tastes who have experience of film festivals/events and film exhibition. We also take into account our audiences’ views on which types of films they most appreciate. Not all films are available on DVD to film societies as these are specially licensed and are released some months after the cinema release date.
What are our goals?
Simply put, to bring film closer to local people. We already screen films in Wooler, lend our DVD projection equipment to The Maltings and run films for community groups in Northumberland and the Borders, plus we offer advice to new film societies and other film groups and will continue to provide this service.
Berwick Film Society is an Associate Member of the British Federation of Film Societies (BFFS).
How are we funded?
We got our film society off the ground through the kind support of Lottery Awards for All, the Community Foundation and Berwick Borough Council. But to keep showing films we are now entirely dependent upon the subscriptions of our supporters. Thanks to each of them and keep up the support so we can keep bringing you great movies!
