Free films in Streatham from 17-20 September
By Anne-MarieMcGregor
Streatham was once the entertainment capital of South London. Fact fans, it’s high road, the longest in the UK, was littered with theatres and cinema’s (12 to be exact). Then things took a bit of a nose dive in the 80’s. This September with the help of some local people power cinema is back and in a big way.
Streatham’s first Free Film Festival runs from the 17-20 September across 19 venues and you can see 17 films in various indoor and outdoor locations. It includes a screening of the 1931 version of Dracula (Friday 18th 9.45pm) starring Bela Lugosi as the dark prince. He revived the role on the Streatham Hill Theatre stage in what’s now Beacon Bingo Hall. The show is a double bill with a top secret new release. Eye’s down, fangs out.
Calling all budding filmakers
As a prequel to the festival, folks are invited to take part in our 48hr Film Contest which starts Friday 11th Sept from 7pm at The White Lion Pub SW16.
There are three categories, under 16, Families and over 16. Entrants get a line of dialogue, a prop and a Streatham location to make a film under 3 mins long; delivering the finished masterpiece on Sunday 13th to the same location by 7pm.
The entries will be judged and screened on Thursday 17th Sept as part of the festival launch.
Launch Night
Kicking things off on Thursday 17th September is a screening of Gone To Far, a coming of age comedy drama set on a Peckham estate by young director Destiny Ekaragha. They’re keeping the laughs going with an outdoor screening of satirical Western, Blazing Saddles in the gardens of The Bull Pub. There’s also an evening of short films in Deli Lama from 8pm.
Blazing Saddles
The Sound of Music
Music features heavily in the festival too with Cinema Paradisco offering people the chance to bring along their favourite movie related music and play it for the crowd at Turnstyle Records store Friday 18th from 7.30pm.
Saturday 19th has singalong-a Frozen for kids and a chance to get truly musical with Sister Act and Hairspray showing outdoors in the evening.
There’s also some classic Tarantino soundtrack action with a late night screening of Pulp Fiction at The Standard PH pub that night.
Recent documentary AMY wraps things up at The Hideaway Jazz Club on Sunday 20th. Spaces are limited for this so can be booked in advance.
Pulp Fiction
And Finally
With a tour of Streatham’s Lost Cinema’s on Sunday morning you can can start the day with a bit of history before heading to The British Home at Crown Point SW16. A very grand building it will play host to the final film Grand Hotel Budapest on Sunday 20th from 8pm. Bring blankets and wrap warmly as the screening will be in the gardens. If it rains, it will be in the theatre space. The gorgeous little summer house will provide refreshments but you can also bring picnics.
The grand budapest hotel poster
For full details and listings please see the Streatham Free Film Festival website. Find the festival on Facebook and on Twitter.
See you there!
What: Streatham Free Film Festival 2015
Where: In various venues across Streatham & Streatham Hill
When: 17 Sept until 20 Sept 2015
Cost: FREE
A bit about Anna
Anne-MarieMcGregor heads up the plucky band of volunteers who run Streatham Free Film Festival. When not doing this she is a music consultant by day, Secret DJ; on a quest for the perfect lasagne and generally nuts about Streatham.
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You may want to check out all the Free film screenings in London.
