SFW 2016 City Eye Cinema

JORDAN THOMAS

Described by event director Susan Beckett before the screenings began as an “informal, relaxed exhibition space for local filmmakers”, City Eye Cinema is an opportunity for amateur and professional filmmakers alike to screen their work in front of a live audience and receive feedback. Taking place at regular intervals throughout the year in a variety of alternative venues, this Southampton Film Week edition was held at The Stage Door, a quirky fringe theatre lined with cabaret posters and velvet furnishings, adding to the bohemian stylings of the event. 

City Eye Cinema functions as an unconventional exhibition space, with the event showcasing three vastly different short films: Paul Vernon’s ambitious western Vengeance is the Lord, music video Mistletoe Bride by Rakesh Thind and Phil Peel’s anti-rom-com Chasing Fame. After each film was screened a member of the creative team provided some insight into the production of their short film. Most questions from the audience focused on location scouting due to the international flare of the shorts, featuring scenes set in Toronto, Arizona, Edinburgh and, most importantly of course, Southampton. The event was a unique chance to learn about the production of shorts directly from their creators and future City Eye Cinema events should not be missed.

​City Eye Cinema took place on Sunday 6 November as part of Southampton Film Week 2016.