There will be something for everyone in the rest of this season’s much-expanded programme of Forest Row Film Society. With the acquisition of the new digital projector, surround sound and large screen, the film society is living up to its promise to deliver a wider selection of films.

By including films chosen by young people, documentaries, and screening in other locations, Forest Row Film Society is extending its commitment to make more film available to the whole community.

More popular films

Working with a group of young people in the village, we will be screening a selection of films chosen by Dan Fournier, Michael Schumacher, Francesca Shoenamaan, Lahra Von Wedel, and Kat Davies. Kicking off with the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Thursday 5th February, there will be three other films before the end of March, including The Horse Whisperer, Bob Dylan biopic I’m Not There and Sean Penn’s Into the Wild. With screenings on Saturdays and a Sunday matinee, we expect there will be interest from everyone, not just the under 18s.

Dan Fournier commented: “We hope that by doing this we will fill a gap and create an opportunity for the young people in Forest Row and the surrounding areas to meet and to enjoy some great films.” If anyone is interested to get involved, whether in the film selection, marketing or general helping out, please let us know.

We’ll also add in another matinee, the charming Into the West starring Gabriel Byrne on 28th March.

Documentaries and portable screenings

We are also keen to work with other groups in the village, whether in the village hall or in other spaces. To that end, we have screenings in collaboration with Transition Forest Row, and also one at Michael Hall School.

Transition Forest Row have been screening films for the last year or so, but since our new equipment offers much improved viewing possibilities, and increases the range of films that can be shown, it has been an easy extension to our activities to work together.

The first joint screening is the documentary Our Seeds, on Tuesday 3rd February. Illustrating the importance of seeds to biodiversity and sustainability, the film is being shown in advance of the seed swap taking place at the community market on Saturday 7th February.

Black Gold, a British-made documentary about the global coffee business, will be screened during Fair Trade fortnight, and we will also show The 11th Hour, and The Real Dirt on Farmer John, about community-supported agriculture.

Our grant funding also enabled us to buy a portable screen and sound system. It will be used for the first time as part of the French weekend at Michael Hall school when we show the marvellous 8 Women. With a roll-call of famous French actresses, it is a murder mystery musical with lots of style.

What else should we show?

Our final screening of the season will be on 15th May. We have yet to decide what it will be. Slumdog Millionaire? An uplifting new release? A classic? A long introspective Russian film? Let us know.

Trailers and more information about all the newly-added films in the programme are available on the website.