We love film

but often wonder – with the wealth of independent film making from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America – why do so few of the diverse communities on our doorstep access it?

That’s the question we had in mind when we started a grassroots Film Club back in 2004. Founded by our Director, the Film Club has been organising ground-up, accessible screenings for over 16 years, working in familiar community settings, and hosting spaces to talk about our lives, histories and struggles, through film. We show the best of international independent cinema to those who rarely access it, can’t afford it, or don’t feel arthouse or mainstream cultural spaces take them into account as audiences. We don’t care for the term ‘world cinema’, but we do show films, documentaries and shorts made by some of the most interesting and radical international film makers on the planet.

In addition to daytime screenings for women of diverse backgrounds, youth-focused screenings, events for elders, and family focused pop-ups, we also host evening and weekend mixed-gender events aimed at creating opportunities for different people to meet each other. Food, invited speakers and discussion are key. Our events are all about bringing people who don’t ordinarily get to meet, into spaces where they can. The aims is that integration isn’t just a word, but something we actively are building together.

Under lockdown, our film events have temporarily moved online, where we have tried to bring the same care and sensitivity to held spaces, as in our in-person events. Get in touch if there are themes you’d like us to address at our film screenings, ideas you’d like us to follow up, or if you’d like to get involved or volunteer in any way.