PictureEast
Overview
PictureEast is a free weekend of films and cultural events celebrating the borough’s diverse communities of all ages, providing a platform for local artists and filmmakers.
The film festival will take place from Friday 31st January - Sunday 2nd February 2025. Each day will be an all-round celebration of our varied backgrounds and lived experiences in the borough.
The PictureEast programme will be curated by local residents, with your suggestions devising the chosen films and activities over the weekend. A steering group of Newham residents aged 16+ will be meeting on a monthly basis to their contribute ideas, creativity and community values.
PictureEast will include short and feature-length film screenings with events centred around an interesting mix of cuisine, culture and commerce - enhanced by an amazing lineup of performers and speakers.
Our film festival will expand on the long running Newham Community Cinema, established at the heart of Stratford for over a decade, programming Black History Month, South Asian Heritage Month, Islamophobia Awareness Month, LGBT+ History Month, Srebrenica Memorial Day, Windrush Day, Holocaust Memorial Day and International Women’s Day plus monthly family screenings at the Discover Children’s Story Centre. PictureEast is proud to reflect the diversity of our neighbourhood and embrace our differences as our strength.
Events
About The New Black Film Collective
The New Black Film Collective (TNBFC) exists to create and cultivate a vibrant Black ecosystem in the UK screen industries by championing Black-led film production, distribution, exhibition and preserving Black filmmaking and television.
We use film as a tool for social impact and transformative change by organising a range of activities and events throughout the year. We work with individuals, cinemas and community groups to show films that centre Black creatives and audiences. Through our ‘Curated Community Cinema’ strand we are able to serve groups of all backgrounds.
Learn more on the The New Black Film Collective website.
About the project partners
Film London
Film London is the capital’s screen industries agency. We connect ideas, talent and finance to develop a pioneering creative culture in the city that delivers success in film, television, animation, games and beyond.
We work to sustain, promote and develop London as a global content production hub, support the development of the city’s new and emerging filmmaking talent and invest in a diverse and rich film culture. Funded by the Mayor of London and the National Lottery through the BFI, we also receive support from Arts Council England and DIT. Film London also has a national remit through the British Film Commission, and jointly delivers Games London in partnership with games trade body Ukie. Film London is a registered charity.
Led by Film London, Film Hub London is a network of film exhibitors that aims to grow audiences for independent British and international film in London with a particular focus on attracting young, diverse audiences. You can read more about the Hub’s work here: www.filmlondon.org.uk/film-hub-london Film Hub London also delivers the Spotlight programme which aims to develop local partnerships and build local capability, knowledge and resource to increase screening activity and grow audiences for independent film in Newham and Barking and Dagenham.
The New Black Film Collective are also working with Aspers Good Causes Fund, Newham Libraries, and Good Hotel.
What is the Shaped by Community commission?
PictureEast was commissioned as part of ‘Shaped by Community’. The Shaped by Community commission called for projects that will enrich the creative experience within Newham and provide opportunities for residents to engage in artistic and cultural activity. Our organisation has a strong focus on ensuring that the work we support is shaped by what communities across Newham need and want.
We held an open call to apply for up to £15,000 each for six projects.
To us, ‘Shaped by Community’ means that your community’s wants and needs have guided all levels and stages of the project, including in the decision-making.
Newham is full of creative communities that have rich, cultural experience to share. This commission aims to create space for people to create and be celebrated within this borough that we call home.
Meet the rest of the projects on the Shaped by Community project page.
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