Month: February 2016

Can you help the new Charlton & Woolwich Free Film Festival?

Darryl Chamberlain2 Comments

Blow Up in Maryon Park: Charlton's most famous contribution to cinema
Blow Up in Maryon Park: Charlton’s most famous contribution to cinema
Want to get involved with a free film festival for Charlton and Woolwich later this year? Organiser Gavin Eastley is looking for people to help make it happen.

The Charlton and Woolwich Free Film Festival is based on a movement that’s boomed across south London in recent years, such as the Camberwell Free Film Festival, New Cross & Deptford Free Film Festival and the Peckham & Nunhead Free Film Festival.

They show mainstream films – last year’s Peckham event screened Gravity in Peckham Rye Park – as well as more arthouse fare in smaller venues. Most festivals hold a couple of big outdoor events that bring in crowds of up to 300-400.

There are also workshops, filmmaking events and the chance to support local filmmaking talent.

And there are also chances to volunteer…

Projection. Could you get involved in projecting films at our free events? No particular skills needed as long as you’re happy around a laptop, projector and PA.

Event planning and management. Would you like to plan a film event? Do you know a venue that might like to host a film screening? At Free Film Festivals we welcome people who want to create their own film events – feature films, documentaries, new films, filmmaking events. Our festivals are completely created by local volunteers.

Stewards. Could you guide people at our larger events and help with collecting evaluation forms and shaking a bucket? Stewards always needed.

Filmmakers. Could you help to run a filmmaking workshop or organise a ‘meet the industry’ day or similar event to inspire new filmmakers? Read a filmmaker Tom Worth’s blog on how getting involved can inspire you as a filmmaker.

Marketing. From leafleting to social media, press, graphic design and website editing – our marketing teams are always looking for people to help with publicity.

Fund raisers. There is a cost to putting these on and most are funded by partnerships with community organisations and sponsorship.

Gavin says: “I can see The Draughtman’s Contract at Charlton House, The Guns of Navarone at the Royal Artillery (bit of a stretch that one), Mr Turner at Rushgrove House, a big cycle-powered event in Charlton Park and I am sure someone will want to do something with Blow Up. I am sure there are great documentaries about Woolwich.”

Well, now you say it, the London Screen Archive has a few…

Can you help Gavin put the Charlton & Woolwich Film Festival on? He’s holding a meeting at the White Swan, Charlton Village on Wednesday 24 February at 7.30pm. Or contact Gavin via the Free Film Festivals website.

In? Out? Shake it all about? Talk about the EU referendum at Charlton House on 19 February

Darryl Chamberlain2 Comments
The EU Parliament building in Strasbourg
The EU Parliament building in Strasbourg

You might be treating the approaching EU referendum with dread: foghorn-voiced old bores, nostalgic for Empire, hogging the news and distracting us from a wobbly economic situation that needs continued, urgent attention.

Or you may be salivating at the imminent poll: a festival of democracy that will debate our sovereignty and the urgent issue of how the United Kingdom relates not just to its closest neighbours, but the wider world.

Whichever you are, the Charlton Parkside Community Hub would love to see you at Charlton House to talk EU: In or out? with London MEP Syed Kamall.

“This event is strictly neutral and non-party political. Its aims are to air as many key issues as possible, discuss individual concerns and allow a more informed decision to be made. Syed will give a brief overview of the pros and cons of staying or leaving before opening it up to the floor for a Q&A session.”

Doors open at 6.45pm, the event runs from 7pm to 8.30pm. (And make sure you’re registered to vote…)

(If you really can’t get enough of local angles on the EU, Greenwich & Woolwich MP Matt Pennycook was a guest on today’s BBC2 Daily Politics, which discussed the referendum.)