Film and TV Society: Screenings and Socials Producer

I am standing for Screenings and Socials Producer/Secretary because I want to create a diverse environment in FilmSoc that feels exciting for everyone, where you can discover new films, connect with others, and learn more about the film industry. Here are my proposed policies:

1. More Diverse Screenings: I won't scrap the mainstream hits (after all, Nolan films are the keystones of our society!), but I will fight for more classics, foreign films, and hidden gems to be screened just as frequently. This will allow members to enrich their film vocabulary and discover new favourites.

2. More Relaxed Socials: I want to create spaces where we feel free to connect and talk about films in a welcoming environment:

   -Cinema Trips: Organised group trips to see the latest releases together, as well as special classic re-releases.

   -Themed Nights: Pub quizzes (obviously), movie marathons, genre-specific socials.

   -Networking Events: Opportunities to connect with industry professionals and fellow members to discuss working in film, e.g. guest Q&As, panels.

   -First-Timer Friendly Socials: Socials where new members can find their people and chat about anything, film-related or not.

3. Fix Technical Issues: Screenings are too often disrupted by technical difficulties: slow connection, low volume. I will work hard behind the scenes to make sure screenings run smoothly so we can focus on the film.

I want the events at FilmSoc to be where you find your next favourite films and your favourite people. Thank you.

Last term and this term I’ve been really involved in FilmSoc and next year I would love to get involved again, this time on committee! Last year I worked as 1st Assistant Camera on the T1 film “Raw”, 2nd AC for affiliate film “Coconut”, and am working on the T2 film as well! I love being involved in FilmSoc activities, whether its student films or socials, and joining this society has been one of the best parts of my time here so far and I've met so many new, lovely, and creative people who love film & media as well!! 

I think socials were definitely the reason I got involved in other aspects of FilmSoc such as term films and I think I'd be a great socials and screenings rep because I've had similar responsibilities in the past: I started our school’s first film club called ‘Technicolor’ along with my friends, where we did weekly screenings, workshops, & also produced a film at the end of the year. 

This year, my friends and I have loved the screenings at Mully's (especially the pub quizzes) as well as the ability to choose the film via voting on FilmSoc’s Instagram story so I would definitely plan on continuing that along with other new and fun socials. Diversity & inclusion (especially in film and media) are really important to me so I'll make sure that the films we screen are representative of what YOU want to see! I think it's important to keep the society a welcoming space so I want to plan screenings & socials that are fun and accessible to both old and new

As a FilmMA student I want to foster an atmosphere of unapologetic cineaste indulgence. I have a series of 'seasons', mirroring the BFI Southbank's fantastic film seasons, ready to go, using the academic timetable to build the society's cinematic viewing around. I want to run a screening event during freshers week where we show 'shorts of the greats' (The Big Shave, Un Chien Andalou, Doodlebug etc.) to direct an ethos in the society that all early works by great directors are rougher and simpler than their opus'. Then I'd plan the year roughly along these lines:

1. Term 1, weeks 1-5: New Hollywood Season (The Graduate, Bonnie and Clyde, Midnight Cowboy etc.- essential viewing for young people, an audacious cinema!) 
2. Term 1, weeks 5-10 (after reading week): Screwball Comedy Season (His Girl Friday, Design for Living, Ball of Fire etc.- to show that old films are far from pretentious!)
3. Term 2, weeks 10-15: French New Wave Season (Breathless, Cleo from 5-7, The 400 Blows etc.- also essential viewing for young people, and for indie filmmakers!) 
4. Term 2, weeks 15-20: New Queer Cinema Season (My Own Private Idaho, Orlando, Mulholland Drive etc.- to shed light on an exuberant and recent genre of exceptional filmmaking)

Over the years, I have discovered some of my favourite films through FilmSoc (I.e. House, Paris is Burning) so I'd love to continue showing weird, left field and inspiring films to our members, to expand our understanding of the medium and to foster conversation and debate!

Hi, I’m Abdi, a second-year linguistics student. When I first joined the society at the start of this year, I found it to be very daunting due to the sheer number of people actually in the society. Over the past two terms, the socials and screenings really helped me to integrate myself well, and to meet so many likeminded people who also love film/filmmaking as much as I do. Due to this, I’m running for social & screening secretary so i can hopefully give everyone a positive experience next year!

What I will  hopefully try to do next year?

I’d like to screen a lot more films that are either older or made by foreign filmmakers. I think this is a great way to really broaden everyone’s knowledge, myself included, and also to liven things up a bit instead of having the more popular Hollywood picks (nothing wrong with them, they’re popular for a reason) 

I would also like to create more social events outside of the screenings so people can get to know each other without having to do so in the 10 minutes before or after a film starts. I think this would be a great way for more members to feel included, and also a perfect chance to meet more amazing collaborators for projects anyone decides to make. 

Lastly, I hope to create more filmmaking socials/mini workshops where people can give and get some feedback on anything they’re currently working on. It would also be a great place for people with no experience to start, and learn without the pressures of a film set :) 

Thanks for reading!