The Beast Fest Yet!
Bridport Arts Centre’s film festival – From Page To Screen – last month delivered its highest ticket sales and a programme full of stellar guests and extra surprises from curator Chris Chibnall;
“I’m reeling! Bridport proved once again that it really knows how to do a festival! The sun shone, people swarmed to the Arts Centre in their droves, there was laughter and music and the most incredible range of films. It really was a party, with big surprises and special treats, and thanks to everyone from Bridport and beyond who accepted the invitation and turned up. It’s the partygoers who make the party!
And what a line-up of guests we had, including Hollywood cinema royalty: editor of Apocalypse Now, Walter Murch, talking about recutting Orson Welles, Airplane! writer-director David Zucker on how they made the film out of an old B-movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey star Keir Dullea’s specially recorded personal message to our Electric Palace Gala, David Arnold revealing the secrets to the music in Casino Royale, Neal Purvis & Robert Wade revealing the secrets to writing Bond movies, and then Buster Keaton’s granddaughter sharing memories of her grandfather in a specially recorded message to Bridport for the Closing Gala.
And then we had the award-winning British film-makers who came to share their knowledge with Bridport audiences: BAFTA winner Philippa Lowthorpe on working with Claire Foy and a goshawk in H is For Hawk, Francesca Massariol on designing Pillion, Hannah Berryman on her documentary Spacewoman, James Strong on Mr Bates vs the Post Office and Suzanne Mackie on producing Calendar Girls and The Crown. All of them hanging around and talking to festival goers and sharing tips with young people wanting to get into the screen industries. It was a joy to watch.
Roll on 2027!”
Bridport Arts Centre Director Claire Tudge came to the final gala event – a screening of the 1926 classic ‘The General’ plus live score – to thank Chris and share news of the festival’s success;
“We sold over 3,000 tickets (the average for last three years has been just under 2,000) and there were some events where 30% of the audience were first time visitors to the Festival. Nearly 10% of tickets were bought by under-25s and it’s been an exceptional From Page To Screen for young people – with a free pop-up ‘cinema’ at Bridport Youth Club and free daily opportunities to ‘Meet The Makers’ with film professionals. David Arnold was so generous with his time he carried on talking to a group of Colfox music students for an extra half hour after his session! It really has been a special festival for all ages.”