How we come to be where we are now…

Our goal was to involve as partners those organisations and venues in Stroud which were already screening films, rather than providing a curated festival programme for them. It was to be a confederation: the partners programmed films at their venues while the festival brought more and centrally co-ordinated the programme as well as providing ticketing, licensing support and publicity.

One of our aims was, and remains, to programme films and events which were unlikely to be available elsewhere in Stroud. Another was to attract new audiences to independent film, sometimes by taking events to venues new to film screeings. It was also an aim that organising the festival should feel purposeful and enjoyable.

A further aim has been to gain trust in the community and to build a reputation for openness.  Over the years, the festival has aspired to show a consistent, responsive and friendly approach and to build a range of relationships. This approach has been part of the project, alongside developing the quality and range of the programme.

This model, which has shown some success, is designed to encourage more people to get involved and participate both as audience members and contributors. Some films with minority appeal have played to full houses. Sometimes programming  control has been given to community groups who selected a range of films including familiar mainstream titles.

There isn’t a formal submission process where film makers pay to enter their work. Increasingly people send films and suggestions for films for potential inclusion.  The festival has also worked to engage audiences across the Stroud district while the weekend programmes have grown with the intention of encouraging people to come from beyond Gloucestershire.

So far:

2008-2013
Occasional screenings take place in collaboration with Photo Stroud at the Vue which were often fully booked. Screenings of short films by young people with Rick Vick and Cirencester College run at SVA and Lansdown Hall

2014
Carlos Ordonez and Andy Freedman discuss the possibility of a Stroud film festival

2014
Stroud Film Society, Lansdown Film Club, SVA and the Wotton cinema agree to be involved as partners. A constitution was drawn up and some support received from Stroud Town Council. Carlos moves to Bath.

2015
The first festival: as well as the partner venues, films are screened at Vue, Open House, Atelier and in collaboration with Stroud Community TV and Transition Stroud

2016  
More partners join including Stroud Brewery and Strictly Cinema. BFI support comes through the SW Film Hub

2017
Good on Paper become involved in brochure design and the website. Their  local connections,  skill and experience further raise awareness of the festival.

2017
Jo Bousfield from Lansdown Film Club joins Andy in co-ordination role 

2018
Black Ark Media, the Museum in the Park, Hawkwood and SGS College are involved. The 60 Second Challenge is introduced

2020
Half way through the most successful festival to date, lockdown arrived

2021
Online festival
Three patrons become part of the festival, all with local connections: Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA and film directors Marc Jobst and David Yate

2022
Trinity Rooms and the Long Table become partner venues. Allsorts relaxed screening

2023
Further recognition from BFI. Partnership with Spotlight at Create Studios Swindon. Powell and Pressburger screenings run at Avening.

2023
Five people already involved as programming partners join Jo and Andy as  directors of a new Community Interest Company - Claire Levy from Strictly Cinema, Kat Child from Atelier/Trinity Rooms, Paul Freedman at Lansdown Film Club, film maker Hatty Bell and Derrick McLean co founder of Black Ark Media

2024
First festival run by the CIC. Most extensive programme with over 50 screenings, exhibitions and workshops

2025
Audience numbers for the festival reach 3000. Short film programme introduced.