SEASONS GREETINGS!
We have news of up and coming events and location changes for 2025!
We are also taking a look back over 2024 at some of the great artwork and videos our young people and community groups have created this year.
NEWS for 2025
FILM OXFORD ON THE MOVE
We are pleased to be part of the network of organisations moving to East Oxford Community Centre Re-development. Big news this month is that there is a roof on the new building and it is starting to take shape! We expect that move will happen late 2025-early 2026 – keep you posted!
BFI NETWORK : Writers Lab – One day workshop – 12th Feb 2025
Film Oxford is a member of the BFI Network South East and this year we are hosting their BFI Writers Lab.
Focusing on story and development, each Lab is set up to support you in any future application to BFI NETWORK funds for early treatment development or short film funding. So if you have a short film idea – 2025 could be the year to make it happen! More info and how to apply here : Deadline 13th January 10am
How about picking up some new skills in 2025?
Our 2025 short courses – Now open for booking!
Our online and in-person courses are guaranteed to boost your filmmaking skills.
From January to April we are running courses in Screenwriting, Directing, Lighting, Cinematography, and Editing. Find out the full list and how to book here: Training 2025
2025 OFFER FOR ORGANISATIONS
Why not make 2025 the year to upskill your team on video making? We have 20% discount for bookings made before 01/04/2025.
We can tailor a 1-3 day course to your needs and even provide online support. Quote TRAIN2025 when making your booking.
Call 01865 792731 for more info
LOOKING BACK AT 2024
Here is a selection of Film Oxford projects we have co-created with our local network of community organisations throughout 2025,
Creative Lights Festival – Rose Hill
‘The Creative Lights Festival has been an annual celebration in Rose Hill for the past three years. Its a great opportunity for the community to come together and take part in free creative & digital art activities led by Film Oxford and local artists – ending with a celebratory lantern parade around the estate. ‘ Aimee Winkfield- Rose Hill Junior Youth Club
This year Film Oxford, Rose Hill Junior Youth club and Rose Hill & Iffley low Carbon group worked together throughout October-November to deliver over 60 exciting creative workshops to young people and famileis in Rose Hill : including, lantern making, filmmaking, VJ projection workshop, animation, green-screen, editing and even building giant glowing elephants! Funded and supported by Arts Council England and Oxford City Council.
‘Going Out Coming Out’
This year we have worked with over 80 young people and older participants on this intergenerational project to create 3 films looking at life and social activities in Oxford in the 60s, 70s and early 80s for the LGBTQ+ community, The African Caribbean Community, and the Baby Boomer generation; led and facilitated by the communities. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
‘These films are a must see, especially for those interested in the non-mainstream narrative – uncovering lost stories of diverse communities in Oxford, and the challenges they faced.’ Aseem Bandali, Participant and Film Oxford Volunteer.
‘It was really easy to access historical articles and photos at Oxfordshire History Centre. It was great to hear peoples stories. I met some lovely people on the course who are now my friends.’ Riley Watts participant.
We worked in partnership with local groups ACKHI, (Afrikan & Afrikan Caribbean and Kultural Heritage Initiative), Oxford Pride, Age UK Oxfordshire, Older People Day, with workshops and events held at Oxfordshire History Centre and the Museum of Oxford.
THE SHADOWLIGHTS GO BAUHAUS
The Shadowlight Artists are our resident group of artists with learning disabilities. This year they produced two fantastic group productions. For ‘Shadowlight Artists at the BAUHAUS’, the group immersed themselves in the highly influential German Bauhaus movement of the 1920s and early ’30s. The movement focused on artists working together in multiple disciplines, which resonated with the group. The group focused on ‘Bauhaus Ballet’ with its elaborate costumes and mechanical dancing.
With ‘Shadowlight Artists: Horror’, the group studied artworks through the ages with scary or horrific themes, such as depictions of hell, demons, and monsters. The film was released on Halloween 2024.
If you would like to support the work of the Shadowlight Artists, you can make a donation through their Local Giving page
Rose Hill : Green Spaces & Activities – Film created in one week by young people at Rose Hill Junior Youth Club.
Back in May this year we delivered filmmaking workshops and they created this short film celebrating the green spaces and activities for young people in Rose Hill. Many thanks to the James Cowper Kreston Foundation for funding the workshops with support from Oxford City Council. The Premiere Big Screen event was funded by Oxford University Small Grants, Oxford City Councillor Ed Turner and Oxfordshire County Councillor Trish Elphinstone.
BFI FILM ACADEMY 2024 at FILM OXFORD
This year we have partnered with Screen South and 9 other organisations across the South East to deliver this years BFI Film Academy. Over an intensive week in October half-term, we trained and supported 12 young filmmakers to create a short drama film in one week using industry standard filming equipment.
The course also included visits from industry speakers, including BAFTA nominated Director Sonita Gale (Hostile) and Multi-award winning Director, Actor Otto Baxter (Not a Fxxking Horror Story). The finished film will be available to view online after their London premiere screening event in January 2025.
BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR!
We would like to thank all our partners, funders, volunteers, trustees and staff who have supported our creative communities, and we wish all of our members, participants, and audiences a wonderful New Year!
