Please see below a range of articles that have been published in the local press about the Torbay Film Club.
HERALD EXPRESS, NEWS: IF YOU LOVE FILM, YOU'LL LOVE THIS, Friday 2nd May 2008
Torbay's Film Club’s inaugural screening attracted more than 100 people to watch The Kite Runner at Torquay Museum.
The club has been started by volunteers as a not-for-profit group showing the finest independent, world and classic films.
The Kite Runner was the first in a season of eight film nights, which includes highlights such as Shane Meadows’ This is England and Cate Blanchett starring as Bob Dylan in I’m Not There.
Also in the year’s line-up is an evening of short films from around the world, and the final film in the season will be chosen by club members.
Emmeline Gee, one of the club organisers, said: “We were delighted to have such a great response to our launch night. There was a great atmosphere on the night and many people commented how powerful the film was. It’s wonderful to be able to share our passion for unusual and interesting films with other people.”
The museum café opens from 6.30pm, and after the film there is an opportunity for people to have a drink and chat about the film.
HERALD EXPRESS, SHORT IS THE NEW LONG, 27th October 2008 A special screening of the Westcountry’s finest short films is on offer next Tuesday evening at Torquay Museum.
Torbay Film Club, which recently won an award for Creative Organisation 2008 from Torbay ArtsBase, has put together an exciting programme of short drama and animation films from professional and amateur film makers. “There are some amazing short films made in the Westcountry which deserve to be seen,” commented Emmeline Gee, Chair of the club.
“Choosing the shortlist proved to be very difficult as the quality of films submitted was so high. The last five years has seen an explosion in short film-making thanks to cheaper equipment and internet sites such as YouTube. However, you can’t beat seeing the films on the big screen rather than a computer.”
Around eight films will be shown, including: the premiere of “Moving On”, a witty monologue exploring a scandal at a local amateur dramatics society; “A Tale of Two Minnows”, an animated film about everyday pond life; “Lost Roots”, a deceptively simple film about dislocation and immigration; and “Carbon Weevils”, a wacky and wonderful cartoon on an environmental theme made by Forkbeard Fantasy.
HERALD EXPRESS, LOTTERY LIFT FOR BAY'S FILM BUFFS, 5 Novermber 2008
Two recently formed arts groups dedicated to showing and making movies in Torbay have been successful in the latest round of grants from Awards for All, part of the National Lottery Fund.
Torbay Film Club meets monthly in the re-furbished Pengelly room at Torquay Museum. The Club has a fast developing membership and has been showing the best in world, independent and classic cinema since April this year.
Awards for All has funded the Club’s purchase of the very latest high definition projection and DVD equipment. Club Chair Emmeline Gee says, “There’s a wave of new film societies being established in the southwest at the moment. I think many people are becoming bored with mainstream Hollywood films and have started to dip into the wealth of world cinema that exists. We’re thrilled that this grant will enable us to show some of these highly entertaining yet thought-provoking movies to audiences in Torbay.”
The Club also aims to give young people and students a chance to get hands-on experience with their “technical buddy” scheme, as well as providing opportunities for local film-makers to screen their short films.
The new equipment will be in place by Tuesday 2 December for the screening of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, winner of the Cannes Film Festival for Best Director. Non-members are welcome on the night. For more information about the club and its 2008-09 programme check out www.torbayfilmclub.co.uk
First Eye Productions is a film making group in Torbay which was set up in April of this year as an off shoot of the TOADS Theatre Company. Their leader is Austin Hawkins “We made a thirty five minute filmed monologue in TOADS and people seemed to like it but the Theatre Company has to concentrate very much on the hard work of putting 10 plays on stage each year and it was felt that a separate film group would function better. We do however enjoy the ongoing support of TOADS and work with some of their actors.”
First Eye are currently working on another monologue starring local actor Jeff Pirie playing the main character Ken Jarvis who, following on a dramatic incident, has to face up to dealing with his addiction. “It is easy to underestimate how tough a discipline film making can be, there is an incredible amount of detail to get right but we are all enjoying the process.”
The Lottery grant will fund the purchase of a professional high definition camera and improved sound equipment for First Eye and their first production in the new format will be INDEX written by Simon Davis of Exeter.
Anyone interesting in joining the First Eye can learn more on their website
www.firsteyeproductions.co.uk
TORBAY FILM CLUB AWARDED DISTINCTION!
We are really excited to announce that in the British Federation of Film Societies 2009 awards, Torbay Film Club was awarded a Distinction in the category of Best New Society! Click here for more details.