When: 27th April – 6th May 2012
Where: At venues across the borough of Lewisham
£: Free
What is it?
Lewisham is one of only two London Boroughs without a cinema and the New Cross & Deptford Free Film Festival will be screening films in some very unusual places including two parks, an adventure playground, a community garden, the walls of the tiny white-tiled prison cells at Deptford Old Police Station and from a 40ft lorry turned mobile cinema.
Events include bike-powered open-air family screenings, showing mainstream feature films, film-based discussions on topics of local/global concern, screenings of local filmmakers work and training workshops for young people.
The festival aims to reclaim public spaces in and around the locality and create a safe arena for enjoyment and cultural activity with evening events and screenings for people of all ages.
Highlights include bike-powered cinema courtesy of Electric Pedals, head along and help power the film, after all the film won’t run without you! Then there is Freedom Cells, a weekend of films by human rights filmmakers and artists at the Old Deptford Police Station.
The Lost Cinema of Deptford event answers questions such as where was Deptford’s first picture palace? What was the scene of South East London’s WW1 cinema disaster? Which angry young man flick features Deptford market? This event takes place at the Big Red Pizzeria, Deptford Church Street, SE8 4RZ.
If you have old home movies stashed away in attics or cupboards then take them along to the NO DVD event at New Cross Library. Submissions must be on either VHS or Super8 and a maximum of 10 minutes in length. Films shot locally are particularly welcome.
Take a pillow along to the screening of Science of Sleep which will be projected onto the ceiling at Lewisham Arthouse and let your dreams become the ending of the film.
The New Cross and Deptford Free Film Festival is organised and run by volunteers including local residents, students, social enterprise groups Bold Vision and Pedal Power, with guidance and support from the Peckham and Nunhead Free Film Festivals group.
More info: For more information on the various quirky events running at the festival visit www.freefilmfestivals.org.