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Welcome to Newcastle University's Research Centre in Film and Digital Media.

The Centre's Launch

Launched in October 2011, our centre aims to make Newcastle a beacon for research in Film and Digital Media. We have an integrated approach, with practice informed by theory and theory illuminated by practice. Our research thus combines film studies / media studies with film-making and creative practice. We have a particular interest in vernacular creativity and in the representation of diverse identities via film and digital media. Engagement is also a key part of what we do and we work closely with the cultural sector in the city and the region.

The Centre's launch was marked by a series of public events in October and November which focused on the theme of Identities. First off was a screening at the Tyneside Cinema of our colleague - and award-winning director - Tina Gharavi's new feature film I Am Nasrine, an intimate coming-of-age story filmed in Newcastle and Iran. The film was introduced by Tina and was followed by a Q-and-A session afterwards.

Next was a free gala screening at the University's Culture Lab, of a film made by young people from local asylum seeker/refugee groups as part of the ESRC sponsored Festival of Social Science.

This was followed by an afternoon with legendary UK film producer Nadine Marsh Edwards which again included a Q and A on the state of the British film industry and a screening of her classic film Looking for Langston.

Examples of our filmmaking engagement work:

The Research Centre for Film and Digital Media has collaborated with Veto Films with a film making workshop on the theme of HOME to help nurture local young talent. Three short films have been produced by the young people themselves on the theme of 'Home' (such as HOMELESS) and their work is being screened at various venues across the city, both indoor and outdoor.

'Mongrel' a short film about discovering who you really are, written shot and directed by young people from Newcastle in collaboration with the Research Centre in Film and Digital Media and Bridge + Tunnel Voices, funded by the ESRC festival of Social Science 2011.

Mongrel

Beijing Film Festival Poster

In November 2012 we hosted the Beijing Independent Film Festival UK Tour which featured 3 UK premieres and included a post screening Q and A with director Zheng Kuo (via Skype).

Looking to the future, the Centre will be programming screenings, workshops, and talks, showcasing university staff and students' own work in film and digital media, but also collaborating with partners such as the Tyneside Cinema, Side, the Star and Shadow, local film production companies and the BBC, as well as with international partners from further afield. All to help develop Newcastle's status as a brilliant city for film, and to further research into the moving image.