Bristol’s Summer Film Takeover
*This season has now ended. Follow the links below to read more about each event and view images.*
Venture out and explore the city through a different lens with Bristol's Summer Film Takeover, presented by Bristol UNESCO City of Film and partners!
Featuring nine free film events taking place across the city centre between June and September 2023, Bristol’s Summer Film Takeover will celebrate unique aspects of Bristol’s culture and identity through a range of different screen experiences.
Our line-up of free events has something for everyone - from bicycle-powered screenings and family-friendly animation workshops to block parties, night-time projections onto our city’s walls and immersive film installations.
We’ll be marking milestones including the 75th anniversary of Windrush, 100 years of 16mm film, 50 years of hip hop's influence on Bristol’s culture, and more.
So get involved - and don't forget to share your pics and videos with the hashtag #BristolFilmTakeover
NB: All events are free but some may be ticketed on a first come, first served basis. More details will be released by Bristol UNESCO City of Film and partners ahead of each event.
Follow us on Facebook/Instagram @bristolcityoffilm or Twitter @bristolfilmcity for updates.
*Please be aware that media (including video, photos or audio) may be collected at these events. If you do not wish to be included, please stand aside and/or make yourself known to the photographer or videographer. Media collected at the event will only be used in relevant communications by the council and lead partner organisations.
22 – 24 Jun
Windrush 75: Stories Through Film
Vintage Mobile Cinema Bus Broadmead West BS1 3DS
A dedicated film programme to mark the 75th anniversary of Windrush. Come aboard the Vintage Mobile Cinema Bus for a specially curated collection of screenings.*
Plus, on the evening of 22 June, join us for the premiere of award-winning filmmaker Clive Smith’s Bristol’s Afrikan-Caribbean Legends of Martial Arts at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery (Queens Road BS8 1RL).
Brought to you by Bristol Museums in collaboration with DET Entertainment.
Tickets and timings: Vintage Mobile Cinema - Open 22nd-24th June, 10am-5pm. Located at The Podium, Broadmead West, BS1 3DS. No tickets required. More information via Bristol Museums website.
Bristol’s Afrikan-Caribbean Legends of Martial Arts, 22nd June, 6pm-10pm at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Road BS8 1RL: Limited tickets available via Bristol Museums website.
*This event has now passed. Read more and view images from the event here.*
30 Jun
A Wall is a Screen: Secrets of the Old City
Bristol’s Old City Streets, starting at Corn Street BS1 1HT
The first of two guided evening walking tours (the second on 16 September) exploring hidden architectural gems of Bristol’s Old City streets and featuring a curated selection of short films projected onto nearby buildings.*
Brought to you by Encounters Festival and A Wall is a Screen.
Tickets and timings: The tour will begin on Corn Street (use postcode BS1 1JG) at 9pm on Friday 30th June. Tickets available via Eventbrite.
*This event has now passed. Read more and view images from the event here.*
22 – 23 July
Bristol Cycle Cinema
College Green BS1 5TR
A weekend of outdoor cinema with something to suit all ages. Enjoy back-to-back free screenings of cult classics and hop on one of 40 static bikes generating electricity that will help power the screen.*
Brought to you by Compass Presents.
Tickets, timing and access information available at Bristol Cycle Cinema – Compass Presents
*This event has now passed. Read more and view images from the event here.*
29 July
Summer of Soul: Expanded Screening & Afterparty
The Galleries Car Park Basement
Newgate, Broadmead BS1 3DT
Party like it’s 1969! An expanded screening of Sundance award-winner Summer of Soul, followed by an underground funk & soul party. Experience the musical revolution of 60’s NYC beneath a Bristol glitterball!*
Brought to you by Compass Presents and Cinema Rediscovered, a Watershed project.
Tickets, timings and access information available at Summer of Soul – Compass Presents
*This event has now passed. Read more and view images from the event here.*
30 July
100 Years of 16mm
The Crypt of St John, St John on the Wall, Broad Street BS1 2EZ
Lovers of analogue, immerse yourself in the sensory splendour of 16mm, in its centenary year! Enjoy free workshops in splicing, dicing and projecting, alongside short film screenings and live score performance activations from a very special guest.*
Brought to you by Compass Presents and Cinema Rediscovered, a Watershed project.
Tickets, timings and access information available at 100 Years of 16mm – Compass Presents
*This event has now passed. Read more and view images from the event here.*
12 Aug
The 4 Pillars: 50 Years of Hip Hop
Sparks Bristol, 74 – 78 Broadmead BS1 3DS
Film, music and more... A day of free screenings and activities to celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th birthday, exploring its four pillars – breakdancing, graffiti, DJing and rap – and how it has helped influence Bristol’s culture, leaving a lasting legacy.*
Brought to you by Freestyle Bristol and Bris-Story.
Tickets, timings and access information available at The 4 Pillars - Freestyle Bristol
*This event has now passed. Read more and view images from the event here.*
18 – 20 Aug
Aardman@Sparks
Sparks Bristol, 74 – 78 Broadmead BS1 3DS
An exciting weekend of free Aardman workshops and film screenings taking place in Bristol’s new sustainability hub – fun for all the family!*
Brought to you by Global Goals Centre and Aardman Animations
More information at What’s on – Sparks Bristol
Animation workshop tickets available at Aardman clay modelling workshops in Sparks Bristol Tickets
*This event has now passed. Read more and view images from the event here.*
15 – 16 Sept
Illusions of Movement
Broadmead Baptist Church
Union Street, Broadmead BS1 3HY
An innovative film installation. Experience how humans explore animation and film to bring imagination and storytelling to life. This immersive projection uses multi-screen visuals, light and sound to celebrate the power of moving image.*
Brought to you by Limbic Cinema
More information at limbiccinema.com
*This event has now passed. Read more and view images from the event here.*
16 Sept
A Wall is a Screen: Secrets of the Old City
Bristol’s Old City Streets, starting at Corn Street BS1 1HT
Another chance to catch this unique ‘film night’ meets ‘guided city tour’. Spend the evening touring lesser known corners of our Old City’s streets, watching a curated selection of short films projected onto Bristol buildings as you go.*
Brought to you by Encounters Festival and A Wall is a Screen
Tickets and timings: The tour will begin on Corn Street (use postcode BS1 1JG) at 8pm on Saturday 16th September. Tickets available at A Wall is a Screen: Secrets of the Old City Tickets
*This event has now passed. Read more and view images from the event here.*
Bristol’s Summer Film Takeover was delivered as one of the activities under the City Centre and High Streets Recovery and Renewal programme, funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority’s Love our High Streets project.
