Film2021 Awarded Funding From National Lottery

Marking the centenary of the death of Bristolian inventor William Friese-Greene (1855-1921), a pioneer of early motion picture film-making, Opening Up the Magic Box is an element of the wider Film2021 programme and will include film screenings across the city, walking tours exploring cinema buildings, photography exhibitions, talks and panel discussions, and the launch of a special publication recounting people’s memories of cinema-going from the past 70 years.

‘Opening up the Magic Box will  provide a variety of ways through which different audiences can engage with the story of William Friese-Greene, the film-makers and photographers inspired by him, Bristol’s cinemas and cinema history, and the city’s contemporary community of film-makers, cinemas and film festivals. We are indebted to National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support.’ Andrew Kelly, Director, Bristol Ideas

The funded programme will include:

• A new book of cinema-going memories, written by people from across the city and further afield including film-makers, former cinema usherettes, festival programmers, poets, novelists, performers and philosophers
• Community projects in Knowle West, St Paul’s and Easton
• Commissions for city film-makers
• A programme of screenings with musical accompaniment, introductions and panel discussions exploring early British film pioneers
• Archive footage of Bristol on film being shown at sites across the city
• Screenings in the city’s cinemas and film festivals – live and online
• A day of talks and panel discussions on the city’s links to film, past, present and future, presented as part of Festival of the Future City in October 2021
• Walking tours of the city’s film locations and former cinema buildings and places associated with William Friese-Greene

The whole programme of activity has been awarded £105,900 raised by National Lottery players.

‘We are delighted to support Opening Up The Magic Box, a city-wide project celebrating Bristol’s glorious film-making past, transformative present and exciting future. Thanks to National Lottery players, a substantial grant will help a wider and more diverse audience engage with the story of William Friese-Greene, a native Bristolian and pioneer in the field of motion pictures, the city’s iconic cinema history and its vibrant film-making community.’ Stuart McLeod, Director London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Follow Film2021 on Twitter using the hashtag #BristolFilm2021 and on the Facebook page www.facebook.com/bristolfilm2021

Illustration: Willem Hampson.