Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival and Berwick Young Programmers are excited to present the launch of SCREENTIME.

SCREENTIME is a new initiative inviting young people aged 18 – 30 to gain first hand experience in programming cinema and producing screenings for an audience. In autumn 2021, the group of young programmers attended workshops ran by Cinema Nation CIC  – a queer-led Merseyside based research and innovation Community Interest Company that explores, supports, champions and encourages all forms of film exhibition. The Programmers were introduced to key concepts of exhibition, licensing, marketing and audience development.

Through this process, the young programmers have curated a series of 5 screenings that centre around the joy and challenges of community gathering and collective identities, and referencing the communal experience of lockdown. The slate celebrates the joy of music as a way to connect with others and will be screened at local music venue The Radio Rooms.

Coordinating this new project, Chloë Smith, our Communities Programme Coordinator says ‘Berwick Young Programmers is a new scheme for the Festival, we’re constantly thinking about how we can engage with younger participants and audiences and this is the start of that work. We really hope that the SCREENTIME programme will attract a young audience.’

Our 2021-22 cohort of Berwick Young Programmers is Chloe Charlton, George Cochrane, Camille Relet and Ilinca Vanau who will be joining us at the screenings to introduce the work.

‘I’ve always been a regular cinema-goer, but never thought much about how films actually reach the screen. SCREENTIME has filled me in, and given me first-hand experience of exhibiting films myself. I hope audiences enjoy what we have put together.‘

If you would be interested in getting involved in this project in the future, you can email the festival at info@bfmaf.org

SCREENTIME kicks off with the film ‘BEATS’ on Thursday 10th February at 7pm, tickets are available on the door and are pay what you can. Check out the full line up of films here  along with our Covid-19 safety measures that will be in place during all screenings.