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2024 HIGHLIGHTS

1/1/2025

 
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Southampton Film Week 2024 was a true celebration of cinematic creativity, bringing together filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals for an unforgettable week of screenings and events. This year’s festival shone a spotlight on emerging talent and creativity, particularly through Short Story Cinema -Regional Showcase, which provided a platform for local voices to share their stories with a wider audience.
The much-anticipated SFW: Shorts screening and awards highlighted the incredible skill and innovation of filmmakers, offering a space to celebrate short-form storytelling at its finest. 

Pictured: Verona Rose presenting the award for Best Music Video to regional filmmakers Helen Burdfield, Sasha Sinkler & Harvey Cecil for 'The One' by Fred Lane.

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Southampton Film Week delivered fantastic audience experiences and continued its strand of music & film with standout moments such as the Buster Keaton double-bill of Sherlock Jr. and The Navigator at Turner Sims.  The films were accompanied by a live piano score  performed by BFI Southbank resident pianist Meg Morley. 

At Southampton O2 Guildhall, audiences enjoyed a stunning screening of Buster Keaton's The General. This silent masterpiece came alive thanks to the incredible talents of Donald Mackenzie, who performed a breathtaking live score at the Compton Organ.

​BFI Film Academy 2024-25
The BFI Film Academy Short Course at City Eye is in full swing! As our talented students gear up for their production shoot, the energy is buzzing with creativity and collaboration. 

Since October, students have refined their skills and learned from an array of industry experts that include screenwriter Caroline Sax, director Liam Calvert, production designer Holli Burrows and audio editor Ozgen Alpoglu. Stay tuned as we follow the journey of these budding creatives.
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Work Experience at City Eye
At City Eye we receive a great many requests every year from young people wishing to undertake work experience with us. Regrettably we are unable to offer placements to everyone that asks; we are a small team and won't create a placement if we are not confident that we have the capacity to offer a constructive and positive experience for the individual. However, this year we have been able to offer placements for Laurence, Ciara, Ethan & Freddie. 4 young people seeking to start their careers in the film industry. 

A Night Like this - Feature Film Support
Early in the year, City Eye supported Director Liam Calvert on his first feature film, 'A Night Like This.'

"A stone-broke gay actor and a privileged bonehead with a failing business cross paths on a winter night and join forces in a quest around London to find a meaning to their miserable lives."

The film stars Alexander Lincoln, Jack Brett Anderson and the legendary David Bradley. 

Aside from providing kit, we also created a pathway to industry for three or our BFI Film Academy students to work on the production, as well as 2 young people from our 1825 Filmmakers group.

More recently, we worked with Solent University to host a test screening. The feedback received has helped inform the edit as the film reaches its conclusion.
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1999 - Short Film Support
During the summer we worked with Harry New on his short film '1999.' What began as an idea in our Writers’ Group gradually evolved into a fully-fledged project, with a talented crew formed through our 1825 Filmmakers group and alumni from our BFI Film Academy. Guided by our Head of Production, Harry’s vision came to fruition, culminating in a special screening for family and friends at Solent University Cinema. 

We are delighted to share that Harry has since been awarded a bursary scholarship by the Royal Television Society whilst he studies at the University of Sunderland. 

​The Sister Queens
We have been working with the talented Amy Goodman to document her two sculptures commemorating HM Queen Elizabeth II for Test Valley Council. The first Queen was unveiled on Friday 27th September at Town Mills Riverside Park, Andover.
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In Training for a Heroine
At City Eye, we are blessed with in-house film & photography facilities which are available for hire. We were delighted to assist Mia Delve, James Hunter & Deborah Gearing (pictured) who used our sound suite to record voice-overs for the audio component of the In Training for a Heroine, Jane Austen's Writing Desk exhibition at God’s House Tower as part of the year-long celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, taking place in Southampton, and across the world.

You can visit the exhibition from 9th Jan - 23rd Feb.
More information here.

Short Stories for Kids Podcast
Our Production Lab has been making dreams come true! Supporting the production of Short Stories for Kids, a new animated YouTube series created by the producers of a popular children's podcast with over 600 episodes. The YouTube channel currently has 60 videos, over 36K subscribers, totalling well over a million views. 

The production lab is a great space for film & photography, offering green screen, studio lighting, black, grey or white backdrops. It can also be adapted into a rehearsal, meeting or training room. For hire enquiries contact:
[email protected]
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Virtual Production at City Eye Network

16/1/2024

 
Virtual production has revolutionized the way filmmakers create their projects, opening up new possibilities that were once impossible to achieve. Want an outer-space cruise? A waltz in the jungle? For the first time, filmmakers can look to make films that were once the sole delight of Hollywood but on a fraction of the budget.
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The first notable virtual production came in the form of StageCraft and ‘the Mandalorian’ a Disney+ and Lucasfilm coproduction set in the Star Wars universe. It no longer mattered where in a galaxy far far away that the stories were based. Directors could capture the rolling vistas of Tatooine in a Californian warehouse instead of flying a cast and crew to battle scorching sun and sand-spoiled lenses in Tunisia. Not only did the practise significantly reduce costs (a necessity when bringing Star Wars to the small screen) but the carefully controlled sets made filming possible during the 2020-2021 worldwide lockdowns.
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It seemed the perfect storm. The rise of streaming services demanded a constant stream of quality content while audiences were unable to return to cinemas. In just a few short years there have been countless productions made using StageCraft technology. From caped crusaders in The Batman (2022) to flying mythical beasts in House of the Dragon (2022).
At City Eye, we have always removed the barriers that exist between filmmakers and the making of their films so it seemed only natural that we would embrace this new tool. In our upcoming March Film Network we will work with Solent University to showcase their new Virtual Production ‘volume' to our attendees. 
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Darren Kerr, Head of Film & Media at Solent University told us why he fought to have this new technology included in the curriculum.

"With the landscape of the industry evolving so quickly it is crucial that we prepare the next generation of creatives to shape the future of virtual production in all its forms."
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Editor Paul Machliss & Darren Kerr pictured at the Solent Uni VP Studio Launch.
Virtual production also allows for greater collaboration between artists and technicians. Filmmakers can work closely with designers, animators, and visual effects experts to create a seamless and immersive experience for the audience. This collaborative approach fosters creativity and innovation, leading to ground-breaking projects that push the limits of the medium.

Phil Griffiths, Education Lead for ​Framesync, will be introducing the VP studio at the March Network. Phil bridges the gaps between technical, creative and logistic teams to produce impactful media and his work with Framesync empowers storytellers through virtual production technology.

We look forward to welcoming Phil and our Network to the studio on 12 March 2024. Starting at The Spark, Solent University at 7pm. Book your free ticket to attend. 
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Events & Activities coming up at City Eye

11/10/2023

 
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​Check out events, activities & opportunities for filmmakers and film goers coming soon to City Eye, including …
Aged 16-19? We are recruiting for BFI Film Academy Short Course. Kick-start your career, connect to the industry, hone your skills, and make a film. Over several weeks, successful applicants will attend a series of intensive workshops and masterclasses to hone pre-existing skills and adopt new ones.
Application deadline Tuesday 24th October.
More information www.city-eye.co.uk/bfi-film-academy
 
Our new Writer's Group will have its debut session this Saturday! This group is for aspiring and established writers of TV, Film & games to meet, share and learn. Participants are encouraged to bring along ideas, works in progress or completed works that they feel comfortable sharing.
Saturday 14th October | 11am – 1pm |City Eye
Details & booking www.city-eye.co.uk/writers-group

Mums In Film continues after its first session in September. This is an informal networking for Mums working in the industry, whatever role, level, or type of film you work in - features, shorts, online or TV. Children are welcome. Toys, tea & coffee provided. Breastfeeding friendly.
Thursday 19th October | 10am – 12pm |City Eye
Details & booking www.city-eye.co.uk/mumsinfilm
 
The Mayflower & City Eye Young Filmmakers for ages 12-17 is a fantastic opportunity that gives participants the chance to develop technical skills, confidence, and creativity through film. This term the group will be making Music Videos and they have begun researching & developing ideas.
Every Wednesday, Term Time | 6pm – 7.30pm |City Eye
More information www.city-eye.co.uk/mceyfautumn2023

 
Since March this year we have welcomed 1825 Filmmakers to City Eye once a month to develop their skills with filmmaking sessions while working with other like-minded creatives. In recent sessions the group have been recreating iconic scenes from movies. Join in the fun!
Tuesday 31st October | 7pm - 9pm |City Eye
Details & booking www.city-eye.co.uk/1825-filmmakers

City Eye presents the sixteenth annual Southampton Film Week 10 - 19 November 2023

27/9/2023

 
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Southampton Film Week 2023
10 - 19 November
Across the City


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Check the website and follow us on social media for the latest news and updates
Insta: @southampton_film_week
X: @SotonFilmWeek
Facebook: SotonFilmWeek
www.southamptonfilmweek.com
The sixteenth annual Southampton Film Week promises another film-tastic showcase of films and filmmaking talent from across the region, the UK and from around the world. 

#SFW23 programme highlights include:
  • The annual SFW: Shorts Screening and Awards Ceremony at MAST Mayflower Studios on Monday 13th November. Join us on the red carpet, enjoy the films and have your vote!
  • Live music and film including the pioneering 1920 action-adventure ‘Mark of Zorro’ at Turner Sims, and classic film accompanied by the mighty Compton Pipe Organ at the Guildhall
  • The Regional Premier of Southampton produced documentary On Resistance Street examining the role of music in the fight against fascism, racism and bigotry
  • The IntoFilm Festival for children and schools
  • The legendary SFW Film Quiz!

Join us for the absolute best of features and shorts, filmmaker discussions, live music & film, networking for filmmakers, archive film and so much more!

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