New Three-Year Community Cinema Project to Launch across North Wales

TAPE Cinema © TAPE Community Music and Film
19th September 2023

TAPE Community Music and Film are launching a new cinema project for communities across North Wales, with support from Film Hub Wales.

Specialising in creative inclusion, TAPE have ‘co-created’ the project in collaboration with their Media Club – a safe and supportive space which offers hands on experiences to a cohort of people from across the local community.

‘Neighbourhood Watch’, named by Josh one of the Media Club members, will launch with a screening of locally filmed, BAFTA nominated, comedy Brian and Charles at Llanrwst Family Centre on Friday 22nd September. There will be special guests and some surprises for the audience!

Josh is looking forward to the first event:

“I like the idea of bringing the community together through film. I feel proud to be part of this.”

Steve Swindon, Creative Director of TAPE explains how the Media Club works and why the project is needed:

“We can bring people together through Media Club and work as a team to develop exciting projects which link to a whole range of creative opportunities. Neighbourhood Watch is a hugely exciting project for several reasons. It builds on the film programming work the group has done and the wide range of screenings and events they’ve hosted. It also moves this work into communities across North Wales and connects people in new ways through the workshops running alongside. We can’t wait to get started.”

Neighbourhood Watch will bring monthly screenings of UK independent and international film to up to five communities from 2023-26, with potential areas for expansion including Anglesey and Llanfairfechan. The communities involved will have opportunities to develop skills such as booking films and marketing events, whilst also making friends and growing their professional networks. Each screening will have a workshop, guest or masterclass, plus the chance to participate in the development of TAPE’s next feature film project, Below the Waves, which is funded by the Arts Council of Wales.

Hana Lewis, Strategic Manager of Film Hub Wales adds:  

“There’s so much innovation taking place across North Wales but we know that communities aren’t always able to access events, whether this is due to the cost of living crisis, poor transport links or lack of local services. Neighbourhood Watch is driven by the community itself, creating an appetite for film on their own doorsteps. TAPE’s Media Club are bursting with creative ideas to make the project work for their community in an inclusive way – which is really important to us. We hope that their work will encourage wider cinema going, supporting nearby cinemas and festivals in the long-term.”

BFI FAN is a nationwide programme made possible thanks to National Lottery funding that seeks to ensure the greatest choice of cinema is available to everyone across the UK. In Wales, funds are administered by Film Hub Wales via Chapter. The Neighbourhood Watch project is designed to meet objectives in the BFI’s recently launched 10-year strategy, Screen Culture 2033.

More than £30M is raised each week for good causes across the UK by the National Lottery.

Download the Full Press Release.

Ends.

Location: Llanrwst Family Centre, Church House Watling Street, Llanrwst LL26 0LS

7pm, Friday 22nd September: Launch Night
Tickets are available directly from TAPE, The Ryder Academi and Llanrwst Family Centre for invited guests
Brian and Charles (with Q&A)
The film centres on Brian, a lonely inventor in rural Wales, who builds unconventional contraptions that rarely work. He soon sets out on his biggest project yet — spending three days to turn a washing machine and various spare parts into Charles, an artificially intelligent robot who learns English from a dictionary and is obsessed with cabbages. The film was shot in Llyn Gwynant, Ysbyty Ifan, Trefriw, Cwm Penmachno, Betws y Coed and Llangernyw.

Further screenings are anticipated for Friday 27th October with a Halloween double bill, Friday 24th November and a Christmas choice for Friday 15th December, all with creative workshops and / or Q&As. Keep an eye on TAPE’s website to find out how to purchase tickets.

 

For further information, please contact:

About Film Hub Wales
Film Hub Wales (FHW) celebrates cinema. We support organisations that screen film, from film festivals to societies and mixed arts centres. Working with over 300 Welsh exhibitors, we aim to bring the best British and international film to all audiences across Wales and the UK. Since Film Hub Wales set up in 2013, we’ve supported over 300 exciting cinema projects, reaching over 560,000 audience members.

We’re part of a UK wide network of eight hubs which forms the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN), made possible thanks to National Lottery funding. Film Hub Wales is managed by Chapter.

We were also proud to lead on the UK inclusive cinema strategy on behalf of BFI FAN 2017-23.
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About the BFI Film Audience Network
Supported by National Lottery funding, the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN), is central to the BFI’s aim to ensure the greatest choice of film is available for everyone. Established in 2012 to build wider and more diverse UK cinema audiences for British and international film, FAN is a unique, UK-wide collaboration made up of eight Hubs managed by leading film organisations and venues strategically placed around the country. FAN also supports talent development with BFI NETWORK Talent Executives in each of the English Hubs, with a mission to discover and support talented writers, directors and producers at the start of their careers.

BFI FAN Film Hubs are:

  • Film Hub Midlands is led by Broadway, Nottingham working in partnership with the Birmingham-based Flatpack
  • Film Hub North is led collectively by Showroom Workstation, Sheffield and HOME Manchester
  • Film Hub South East is led by the Independent Cinema Office
  • Film Hub South West is led by Watershed in Bristol
  • Film Hub Scotland is led by Glasgow Film Theatre
  • Film Hub Northern Ireland is led by Queen’s University Belfast
  • Film Hub Wales is led by Chapter in Cardiff
  • Film Hub London is led by Film London

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About the BFI
We are a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image. Our mission is:

  • To support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers
  • To grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive
  • To offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through our programmes and festivals – delivered online and in venue
  • To use our knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding
  • To work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industries

Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter.

The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Tim Richards.
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About Chapter
Set up by artists in 1971, Chapter is an international centre for contemporary arts and culture. It’s a hub for the production and presentation of world-class, inventive and compelling work. Their gallery commissions and produces exhibitions of the very best in national and international art. Their theatre spaces are a platform for experimental and thought-provoking work. Their cinemas offer independent and challenging films alongside a range of unique festivals and events, and they bring more films, to more people, in more places through Film Hub Wales.

Alongside the core programme, it’s also home to 56 artists and creative companies who are based in their studios. From award-winning animators and film production companies to artists, designers and photographers, and bespoke art framers, print and recording studios, the creative community are at the heart of everything that they do.

Their programme and community collide in the award-winning Caffi Bar that seats around 120 people and is a great place to meet up with friends, find a quiet spot to work away from home, or tuck-in to a tasty plate of freshly prepared, locally sourced food and drink from their extensive menu.
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About TAPE Community Music and Film
Priding itself on accessibility and inclusivity TAPE has been providing high quality, inclusive, supportive, person-led opportunities since 2008.  From one hour taster sessions and film screenings to commercial contracts and feature film production, TAPE’s delivery offers people the chance to explore and develop their creativity.

TAPE’s delivery supports both individuals and groups, working with people of all ages and experience levels, ensuring that they are centrally involved in the creative process. From first time creatives through to graduates and professionals the charity can offer training, support and opportunities.
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