Like all Newcastle University students this year, the Film and Media/Film Practices BA Hons students have been presented with more challenges than ever in producing their dissertations. With students spread out across the UK and China, COVID-19 has offered opportunities for new subjects to be explored but with some of the films, you’d never even know COVID happened.
Hosted in collaboration with Star and Shadow Cinema, the films will be streamed from their website
Hosted in collaboration with Star and Shadow Cinema (a volunteer-run venue in Newcastle dedicated to grassroots cinema and music), the films will be live-streamed on their website. In addition, between blocks of screenings, live Q&As with the student filmmakers will be taking place on the ‘Crossing the Bridge’ Facebook Page. This is the perfect opportunity for attendees to ask any questions they might have about the films they’ve just seen, and engage directly with the student filmmakers!
All the films at this showcase are short documentaries, as per their degree specialisms. Here are just a few of the fantastic films you'll be able to see:
Some took an investigative approach like with Girl Boss, a participatory examination of the dangers and cult mentality of Multi-Level Marketing and their increasing targeting of vulnerable young women. Other groups explored COVID-19’s effect on our lives with The Show Must Go On offering insight on three Northern artists who are now unable to perform live thanks to the pandemic.
There are reflective films about overcoming human hardship and trauma. Them and Us is a shockingly honest and emotional series of encounters that offer insight into the lives of schoolchildren in rural China, and Ordinary Life is an emotional love letter from the director to his family about how past trauma does not define who you are now.
If any of these films catch your interest, be sure to check out Crossing the Bridge! The event is completely free and open across the globe to everyone, be sure to check it out here.
