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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. I am Nasrine has been nominated by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in the category 'Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer'. 
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.
In November 2012 we hosted the Beijing Independent Film Festival UK Tour. BIFF is one of the most influential independent film festivals in China and this is the first time it came to the UK. Four award-winning documentary films shown in this tour, Shattered (Xu Tong 2011), The Cold Winter (Zheng Kuo 2011), The Next Life (Fan Jian 2011) and Beijing Besieged by Waste (Wang Jiuliang 2011), made by leading Chinese independent directors, offer a realistic portrayal of contemporary Chinese society. Three of the films were UK premieres, the festival also 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.