Posted on Thursday 27th February 2020
People from Stafford will get the chance to enjoy movies old and new, along with films of the town’s history when the popular Festival returns for its third year.
This year’s Pocket Film festival from 9 to 15 March 2020 promises a mix of one-off screenings, short films, exhibitions and events in venues across the town.
Highlights include the opening night screening of Back to The Future, century old Cabinet of Dr Caligari, 2019’s Knives Out and The Cameraman, starring Buster Keaton, with live music from the outstanding Meg Morley Trio.
There will also be a short film night alongside Staffordshire Record Office’s new exhibition, local archive screenings from MACE, and family friendly Colour Box films and activities from the Flatpack team.
Venues include Stafford Library, Shire Hall, Oddfellows Hall, Candid Beer, the Gatehouse Theatre and St. Mary’s Church.
Stafford library will be showing a fascinating collection of archive films from the Staffordshire Film Archive featuring footage of days gone by of Stafford District from 1934 to 1972.
Staffordshire Poet Laureate, Mel Woodend has also been working with pupils from Penkridge Middle School to create spoken word and poetry inspired by the footage of the town’s Past. They will share their poetry at the library on Wednesday 11 March from 6pm to 8pm.
Gill Heath, Cabinet Member for Communities at Staffordshire County Council said:
“Once again we are thrilled to be taking part in this year’s Pocket Film Festival.
“Our libraries are at the heart of local communities and this festival provides a great opportunity for people to experience new arts and culture experiences on their doorstep.
“As well as all the one off screenings and classics, there will also be lots of events celebrating Stafford’s local culture and history. I would definitely urge people to try and attend one of the events.”
Pocket Film Festival is run by Unseen Cinema, who deliver a programme of film screenings year-round in Stafford.
Unseen Cinema Director, Owen Hurcombe says:
"We are really pleased to be able to bring the Pocket Film Festival back to Stafford for 2020.
“This year we will be heading to more exciting venues with a superb selection of films in tow. The festival kicks off on Monday 9 March with the 80s classic Back to the Future at Candid Beer, followed by a week of short films, archive footage, old classics and new releases. We also have more brilliant screenings with live musical accompaniment, including a welcome return of the incredible Meg Morley Trio, who will be providing live jazz accompaniment to Buster Keaton’s The Cameraman.”
Also, at Stafford library on Thursday 12 March at 10.30am, Helen Johnson from the Staffordshire Archives & Heritage Service will explore how important photographs are in recording the history of our town and telling the story of its people. And on Saturday 14 March from 1pm to 3.30pm, young explorers are invited to a free family activity at the library. They will get the chance to create tools and masks before sitting down to watch a fun selection of nature themed colourful shorts for families to enjoy.
The Pocket Film Festival 2020 has been made possible with support from Film Hub Midlands through funds from the National Lottery. Film Hub Midlands support people to watch, show, and make films in the Midlands.
A full programme and information on how to book can be found at http://www.unseencinema.co.uk/