Film Forum West Midlands

Just got my 7Inch monthly mail and thought I’d cherry pick a few film related events to share with you…

(Sign up to the 7Inch newsletter at here)

• 7INCH No.35 - HOUSEWIVES’ CHOICE

“A compendium of docs, shorts and outright propaganda from the BFI archive to round off our autumn programme, exploring the lot of the British housewife between the 20s and 50s. Ever wondered how to clean a mink stole, or make the perfect rabbit pie? Also includes music to scrub the floor to, courtesy of the ladies from Sugarfoot Stomp, and other miscellaneous shorts.”

Sunday 30 November, from 7pm
At the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath
£4 on the door.

- Looking forward to this one, I’ll be there.

• FLATPACK SUBMISSIONS

The closing date for film submissions to the festival is next Friday, 5 December.

“Even if you haven’t made a short, you can still submit. Were open to programming ideas for shorts/clips/promos, providing you’re prepared to stand up and tell people why you chose it. Same deadline.”

For more info click here.

• DARCY LANGE: WORK STUDIES IN SCHOOL

New Zealand artist who spent some time in the 70s filming three Birmingham schools in Lea Bank, Edgbaston and Ladywood, and then using these videos to spark discussion.

From 26th November at the Ikon in Brindley Place

• SPECIAL PEOPLE (dir: Justin Edgar)

“Sutton Coldfield auteur’s second feature, based on the short screened at Flatpack a couple of years ago. Also at the Electric next week: Of Time and the City; Hunger; and Heavy Metal in Baghdad. And Waltz with Bashir is currently on at Cineworld.”

Til 27 November at the Electric in Birmingham

• HEARD BUT NOT SEEN

Last days of an exhibition by Sandra Hall and Mitra Memarzia, exploring faith and spirituality.
Til 28 November at Mailbox, level 3, in Birmingham

• OUTER SIGHT

Latest psychedelic psynema pshindig, featuring theremins and German robots.
Sat 6 December at the Edge in Cheapside, Digbeth

‘Mecahnical Eye’, a new Facebook group has popped up. To be honest I’m not completely sure what they’ll be up to, so join and find out I guess. Here’s the blurb:

A positive community project awakens to encourage young filmmakers within the region to use their creative tools and minds together and, come up with simple stories to appeal ‘at and to’ the common man through an artistic outlook. With your support the group hopes to expand further and help cinema grow and go beyond.

If you have anything to say and/ or suggest upon cinema in your perspective, then feel feel to express it on this forum- although being diplomatic is preferred. No foul languages please. Your expression is our reputation..

Here’s their link.

The December Film Makers meet-up will be between 11:30 and 12:30 on Saturday 6th December at the Old Contemptibles, near Snow Hill station, in Birmingham. As always, everyone is welcome to pop by to chat about upcoming projects or events, new ideas, what you favourite film is or anything else remotely film-related. Here’s the bumf:

Hello Everyone,

November’s been a good month for the Birmingham Film Makers with Ian Ravenscroft and Louis Hudson from Dice Productions joining forces to help promote the meetings and create the new website Film Forum West Midlands.

Come and help us celebrate a successful end to 2008 and do some Christmas shopping at the December Film Makers Meet being held at the Old Contemptibles, 176 Edmund Street, Birmingham (near Snow Hill Station) on Saturday 6th December, 11.30am – 12.30pm.

See you all soon!

Louis, Rill and myself (Ian) will be there so come along and say hello. And as its early on Saturday you can combine it with a trip to the German market and Christmas shopping.

A Meeting of Minds invites aspiring writers to an evening of talks and discussion at The Film Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent on Wednesday the 3rd December. Here’s what they have to say:

A Meeting of Minds is THE Literary Forum for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. We aim to create an evening of informative discussion about topics which affect and interest writers and aspiring authors. As well as providing a showcasing platform for these authors and writers, we build in motivational keynote speeches by confidence coaches and personal development coaches, aimed to bringing out the best in those people wanting to move forward with their work.

A Meeting of Minds, Weds 3rd Dec

The evening is split into two halves. From 6pm till 7pm there will be keynote speakers and questions, then from 7:45pm till 8:30pm there will be readings, with a chance to chat and meet other writers in the lobby after the forum.

Entry to the event at The Film Theatre on College Road is £3, with at least half of all takings going to charity, which is nice.

www.ameetingofminds.co.uk or email contact@dominictook.com.

To find out about opportunities in music,dance, film, graphics, script writing, animation and much more, come along to:

Kings Heath Cricket Club, 247 Alcester Rd South, B14 6DT

on Thursday 13th Nov 10.00am to 12.30pm
A free networking event for anyone who is interested in creative media.
For more information call Olivia on  0121 224 7375

As it’s on a working day it should attract more businesses, so should be good for any contacts. 

Thanks to CiB & Screen WM for that.

This is mainly just a reminder for myself to blog on this when it’s more relevant, but I’m going to briefly mention Local Shorts Film Club. They do screenings at the Central Library Theatre (see previous post) and are exactly in the remit of this website. You can show your short film, talk about it and then chat with everyone afterwards – perfect. Unfortunately the screenings appear to be quarterly – next one 28th Jan!

Danny Smith wrote a much more informative article about them here. 

There’s no dedicated website as yet – thus this post, so here’s the closest thing. To get all the gossip from them sign up to their newsletter by emailing info@localshortsfilmclub.co.uk

Sorry minitude of the flyers.

Wed 19th Nov. 6-9pm, The Library Theatre…

Film First are screening the award winning black comedy ‘Festival‘ about the hope, dreams and fears of Edinburgh Fringe performers. Executive Producer, Birmingham-based Roger Shannon will be introducing it and will no doubt be on hand to chat with before and after.

The bar opens at 6pm wth the film starting at 7pm, so it’ll be a great opportunity for a natter with each other before hand. You can even take you drinks into the screening!

Click here for the Flyer

If you have trouble finding the Library Theatre (god knows I have) then here’s a map. From Chamberlain Sq. go left at the Paradise Forum entrance and around the corner.