In this strand explore local connections to celebrate Bristol’s status as UNESCO City of Film, a global recognition of the city's outstanding contribution to film culture.

This year, we continue to spotlight Bristol-born film director J. Lee Thompson (1914 – 2002) with one of his early works Yield To The Night. Thompson is best known for thrillers and war films like Ice Cold in Alex (1958), Tiger Bay (1959), The Guns of Navarone (1961) and Cape Fear (1962, which we screened last year), but before he was scooped up by Hollywood, he established the ‘kitchen sink’ template with films that commented on the social issues of 1950s Britain and which also brought to prominence Swindon-born actress Diana Dors.

Key locations for film in the city will be brought to life as local film enthusiast and historian Mark Fuller from South West Silents takes visitors on Walking tours around the city, that take in the landmarks and personalities of cinema from the 1880s to the present day, revealing a rich cinematic history.

Beyond that, Compass will bring an expanded screening of the incredible concert film Summer of Soul as well as a free workshop on 16mm film.

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