Initially these videos were going to be a small activity that emerged from the Connecting through Culture poetry group; motivated by the desire to record some co-researchers thoughts on ageing, to make videos of poems and simply to have fun being creative together. But it grew and grew through the enthusiasm of co-researchers until, supported by the Thinking Futures festival, we had 14 videos ready for screening.There wasn’t a specific brief other than to put out something into the world that the individuals involved would like to say and be heard. Some co-researchers made their own films and sent them in as finished articles for the screening, some short animations were made at two workshops held this autumn, but most of the videos were made as a collaboration between co-researchers and myself; with the co-researchers initiating the ideas and having final editorial say too. In between we negotiated, played and chatted our way through production. There was even tea and cake.  

So, at ten o clock I arrived at Screen 3 at the Watershed cinema to check that the file I had sent in earlier in the week would play smoothly. The projectionist started the first film and I was alone in the auditorium. All the films had been shot on phones, generally fairly old with cracked screens – and the projected quality was….mindblowing! Who needs fancy hardware when old phones can do this! Slowly people started to arrive – I wasn’t sure how many would come, but in the end 45 people settled down to watch. Some of the co-researchers had brought family and friends – their fan clubs – and had dressed up for the occasion. There was such a great atmosphere and between each video everyone clapped and, on occasion, whooped. Afterwards many stayed behind for a drink in the Watershed café – catching up, meeting new people, asking questions about the films, offering congratulations. What a fabulous morning – I went home re-inspired by the positive vibes.  

You’ll be able to see the films soon on our website. Several address ageing and ageism; the disservice that being defined as old brings. Others are a celebration of personal creative pleasures or the natural world around us. And there are also films to make us think: about Bristol’s dark past of slavery, about missing the help and companionship of a guide dog, and about hopes for the future.  

You’ll be able to see the films soon on our website. Several address ageing and ageism; the disservice that being defined as old brings. Others are a celebration of personal creative pleasures or the natural world around us. And there are also films to make us think: about Bristol’s dark past of slavery, about missing the help and companionship of a guide dog, and about hopes for the future.