This new initiative has been funded by the BFI awarding funds from National Lottery to enable Film Hub South West (part of BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) to work at a more local level to develop the capacity and confidence of cinemas, community organisations and creatives to put on screenings of a wide range of films for local audiences.

Over a three-year period, Create Studios has been selected to lead Spotlight in Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. The focus is on nurturing partnerships and capacity building, along with facilitating the direct delivery of public screenings and events with local organisations. The ambition is for this intervention to make a visible difference and that after this period there will be a sustainable plan in place for ongoing screening activity in an area that is currently underserved.

Shahina Johnson, Create Studios’ CEO said, “We are delighted to be leading the BFI Spotlight opportunity for Swindon, Wilts and Glos, and look forward to developing a programme in collaboration with partners in the region. We know film is a powerful tool to bring people and communities together, and we can’t wait to develop an offer alongside our partners to connect and inspire.”

Based at Create Studios in Swindon and working closely with the Film Hub South West team, the main purpose of this role is to build relationships with existing and emerging festivals, cinemas and community organisations and to nurture youth-led programming to develop and deliver cinema screenings in the area.

Create Studios launches the programme with a series of public Sofa Screenings in their new home at Swindon’s Carriage Works, bringing something a little different for film lovers in and around Swindon. Sofa Screenings launches this week, with something on offer every Thursday and Friday evening through the Autumn and into next Spring.

Louise Norbury, BFI Spotlight Project Lead said, “Our first Sofa Screening programme covers universal themes of love, belonging, identity, ambition and the JOY of cinema – with content that’s contemporary and award winning through to classics to re-visit in new company. Create’s new home in Swindon’s Carriage Works will welcome cinema explorers as well as established film-lovers keen to share in discussion and reflection with like-minded people.  We look forward to seeing them on the sofas soon!

Potential partners interested in hosting screenings as part of the Spotlight project can contact the Create team via the website or email info@createstudios.org.uk

About Create Studios

Create Studios are a team of digital creators and storytellers who capture the heart of every story; making productions with purpose through Film, Photography and Animation. For nearly 40 years, Create Studios has been based in Swindon and is trusted by clients and partners to deliver a range of digital media commissions and cultural projects both nationally and internationally.

As a Community Interest Company, our profits create change. We invest hugely in creating opportunities for a diverse future workforce for the Creative Industries. Alongside our productions, we run a groundbreaking mentoring programme that gives young people a voice, independence and the confidence to break into the digital world. 

Our mission is supported by funders Arts Council England and Swindon Borough Council, and our alumni are thriving in the expanding Creative Industries and gathering around Create’s new hub which opened in June 2023.