Film Oxford Celebrates 40 Years with a year of free opportunities to try filmmaking!
Film Oxford is marking 40 years of community filmmaking with an ambitious new project to preserve and share Oxford’s moving‑image heritage.
Our Lights Camera Oxford project, will offer free intergenerational arts and filmmaking activities throughout this milestone year, leading up to a series of vibrant exhibitions and screenings in partnership with the Ultimate Picture Palace and the Museum of Oxford.
This project will help establish our new home at the East Oxford Community Centre as a lively hub for creativity, heritage, and community. We are due to move into the new premises in March 2026.
‘This is more than just a celebration – this project will connect generations, save our film archive and create a legacy for Oxford’s future storytellers.’ – Nicola Josse – Co Manager Film Oxford.
The Lights Camera Oxford project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to uncover untold stories from the city’s cinema history, celebrate Oxford’s community filmmaking and safeguard the craft of analogue filmmaking for future generations. This project is also supported by Oxford City Councils Big Ideas grant – aimed at reducing inequalities in the city.
WORKSHOPS & PROJECTS – NOW BOOKING
Slow Photography: 17th or 19th February 10-4pm (choose preferred date when applying)
Learn to use a manual photography camera to document Oxford’s historic cinema sites, and master the art of developing negatives – with local photographers Wendy Stone & Aseem Bandali. Open access: For over 16’s upwards. At Film Oxford, 54 Catherine Street, Oxford.
APPLICATIONS OPEN
‘Inside the Archive’ – Documentary Filmmaking Project
Learn camera, sound and editing skills to make a short film exploring Oxford’s vintage community film archive. This is a free Intergenerational project open to those who are not in full time education or employment aged 16 -25 and over 50’s.
At Film Oxford, 54 Catherine Street, Oxford.
APPLICATIONS OPEN
Every Thursday for 7 weeks starting 26/02/2026 (not including Easter Break)
UP & COMING HERITAGE COURSES IN 2026
To register your interest for the following courses below – please email nicola@filmoxford.org
‘CUT & PAST TIMES‘ – 31st March & 1st April Collage & Digital Arts Workshop working with local artist Rachel Barberessi to create art mural for Film Oxford’s new community building. Open access: For over 16’s upwards.
‘THE LOST ART OF ANALOGUE‘ – DOCUMENTARY FILM COURSE – 14th MAY 2025 – Every Thursday for 7 weeks (not inc. May half-term week) Learn camera, sound and editing to create a heritage documentary film to explore using vintage film making techniques and interveiw film makers from the 60s, 70s & 80s. This is a free Intergenerational project open to those who are not in full time education or employment aged 16 -25 and over 50’s,
‘EXPERIMENTAL FILM WORKSHOP‘ – 3 day workshop 4th, 5th & 6th August 2025 10am-4pm Using vintage filmmaking techniques create moving image films working with performance artist and projectionist Kitt Finnie. Open access: For over 16’s upwards.
‘OXFORD’S CINEMA STORY – DOCUMENTARY FILM COURSE 17th September – Every Thursday for 7 weeks 10-4pm (not including Oct half term. Learn camera, sound and editing to create a short documentary film to explore the story of cinemas in Oxford. You’ll be working with local historian Liz Woolley to interview projectionists and cinema-goers.’ This is a free Intergenerational project open to those who are not in full time education or employment aged 16 -25 and over 50’s,
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our visionis for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more.
Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
