We started LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY to celebrate some of the smaller, indie film exhibitors we’re connecting with as we tour London’s alternative cinema scene. It’s these people & places that are projecting some of London’s most authentic film flavours. It’s time to meet our launch partners!

By RADIANT CIRCUS

Twitter @radiantcircus | Instagram @radiantcircus

RADIANT CIRCUS is creating an alternative screen guide for London. That involves exploring as much of London’s indie film scene as we can, listing what’s on at underground venues, community film clubs and film festivals of all shapes and sizes as well as following the work of a growing tribe of DIY film promoters, exhibitors, curators and historians.

We’ve been looking for a project to help celebrate and showcase their work on a more collaborative basis and we came up with LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY, two weeks of bitesize short film programmes at The Bridewell Theatre (22 OCT to 01 NOV).

Our launch event brings together a beautifully diverse range of partners and, as a result, we will be screening films by an exciting array of new and established filmmakers. Let’s introduce you, starting with our home for two weeks, The Bridewell Theatre!

THE BRIDEWELL THEATRE (sbf.org.uk):

The Bridewell Theatre is our co-producer and host venue. The Bridewell opened in 1994, breathing new life and purpose into a long derelict Victorian swimming pool (that can still be found under the floorboards!). The theatre is now run as a receiving house, allowing professional, amateur, school and college companies a central London, Off West End venue to present their productions.

Since 2005, The Bridewell Theatre has been home to Lunchbox Theatre, a bitesized slot where local City workers can bring their own food and drink and enjoy a forty five minute theatrical performance. This is how we first met the team (our Barker-In-Chief stage managed a production of Alan Bennett’s A CHIP IN THE SUGAR back in 2017) and we’ve been itching to get back together ever since.

PROGRAMME PARTNERS

All of the films we’re showing have been screened at one of our partners’ events in the last year. It’s what makes our launch programme so diverse and so very special.

Every ticket sold also helps these vibrant organisations keep doing that they’re doing. Film is fragile despite the record-breaking box office seen by the current crop of caped crusaders. By creating an encore income for indie film festivals, we hope we’re doing our bit to support a more diverse and more exciting film scene.

THE BIG PICTURE FILM CLUB (bigpicturefilmclub.com):

LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY: THE RIGHT CHOICE, part of LONDON STORIES (30 OCT).

Founded in 2015, Big Picture Film Club are pop-up film exhibitors and a digital media publisher with a focus on independent film. Their live events include themed short film nights and Big Picture Talks events, featuring live Q&A sessions with established actors and filmmakers.

> Head to BigPictureFilmClub.com, their online media hub, for news, reviews, editorials and interviews by members of the collective.

CHEAP CUTS DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL (cheapcutsfest.com):

LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY: MASTERMONO, part of LONDON STORIES (30 OCT).

Cheap Cuts Documentary Film Festival is the only UK festival dedicated exclusively to short form documentary. They believe in content over form and are interested in the stories filmmakers have to tell and not the equipment or budget used to do so. Their programme offers a variety of filmmaking styles; including experimental, animation and observational documentary and features films that really push the boundaries of documentary.

> Cheap Cuts returns MAY 01 to 03 2020.

FRINGE! QUEER FILM & ARTS FEST (fringefilmfest.com):

LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY: LET'S BE FRIENDS, part of HALLOWEEN SPECIAL (31 OCT). — LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY: LET’S BE FRIENDS, part of HALLOWEEN SPECIAL (31 OCT).

Since 2011, Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest has been an entirely volunteer-run organisation rooted in London’s queer creative scene. In Novembers, and throughout the year, they showcase an eclectic mix of films, arts and events celebrating LGBTIQA+ stories from around the world, welcoming everybody.

> Fringe! returns 12 to 17 NOV 2019.

WOMEN OVER 50 FILM FESTIVAL (wofff.co.uk):

LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY: TOUGH, part of FRAME BY FRAME (24 OCT).

Women Over 50 Film Festival (WOFFF) champions and showcases the work of older women on screen and behind the camera with an annual short film festival and year round events and film screenings. WOFFF addresses the ageism and sexism many women face in the film industry.

> WOFFF will be back in 2020 but expect the tour to popup at Mother’s Ruin E17 very soon.

FILM PROGRAMME

LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY: READY TO GO, part of ABOUT US (23 OCT).

[TUE 22 OCT] BETTER UNITED: At a time of national disunity, these short films explore the value of community to find common ground, work together & get stuff done (or simply have a good natter over a decent pint!).

[WED 23 OCT] ABOUT US: The stories we tell about people & places reveal a lot about us. But how do our stories get out there & who gets to tell them? These shorts show how stories can both define us & set us free.

[THU 24 OCT] FRAME BY FRAME: There’s more to animation than princesses & talking animals (well, we’ve got a cute ninja deer, but you know what we mean?). These animated shorts tell bold stories of both fact & fiction.

[FRI 25 OCT] UNCONVENTIONAL U: A celebration of difference for everyone who has ever come out, come of age or simply come alive. These shorts channel the fierce spirit to be yourself in an age of increasing conformity.

[TUE 29 OCT] SMART PHONE: These shorts were all made on smartphones, showcasing the potential of the camera in your pocket to create a mini masterpiece (& we don’t mean your cat “playing” the piano…).

[WED 30 OCT] LONDON STORIES: Life in London is a collage of constant choice & change. These shorts look at how the city is evolving & how the choices we make affect our lives & (possible) futures.

[THU 31 OCT] HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: Join us this Halloween for a lunchtime lineup of short films with extra bite. These twisted tales will send shivers down your spine…

[FRI 01 NOV] THAT FRIDAY FEELING: Start your weekend early – & celebrate the end of our first pop-up! – with a flip-out fantastic programme of joyous shorts that will lift your spirits & send you back out with a smile.

NOW BOOKING

LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY: TILL DEATH DO US PART, part of UNCONVENTIONAL U (25 OCT).

Tickets are available now at sbf.org.uk/whats-on or they can be booked over the phone (020 7353 3331 MON – FRI) and in person at the Bridewell Theatre box office.

Tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door. Every ticket comes with some free popcorn and a limited edition movie zine (while stocks last).

GETTING THERE

LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY pops up at the Bridewell Theatre in the City Of London (St. Bride Foundation, Bride Lane, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8EQ) from 22 OCT to 01 NOV 2019.
Film programmes screen TUE to FRI at 13:00 and last 50 minutes (with no adverts!).
Bring your own lunch and / or buy a drink and snacks at the venue bar 30 minutes before each film begins.
Please note that latecomers cannot be admitted.
All audience members must be aged 18 or over as some of the films address adult themes. Audience members are encouraged to bring some photo ID if they look younger than 20, just to be sure.

NOT IN EC4?

If you live or work elsewhere in London, you can invite LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY to popup in your location by contacting us directly (a DM should do the trick)! The project suits venues that aren’t used during the daytime including empty shops and other spaces. You can even invite us into your place of work to entertain and inspire your colleagues!

And that’s the meat of it…

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*THE SMALL PRINT: As accurate as we could make it. Apologies for any errors. Updates & corrections will be made to the online version. Event dates/times are subject to change by the venue/organiser. We try to only list events you can book for at the time of posting: however, some events may still be sold out. Please click quickly! We don’t filter by age/certification: all readers & subscribers should be 18+.