30/11/2023
It’s with a heavy heart to announce the sad decision that Darlington Film Club are stopping their regular monthly screenings.
After covid, the world changed their way of watching films.
Audiences can find most films at any time on any platform via their TV, phone, tablet or computer.
The large cinema chains are struggling to fill their chairs, so what luck does a small Film Club which is run by love and a couple of volunteers have.
In the 12 years that Darlington Film Club has been running a regular weekly then monthly screening, first at the old Arts Centre and then 11 years at the wonderful Forum, there have been so many people who have visited from all over the UK.
A lot of hard work and love has been put into the Film Club over the years and the events that have been happened have attracted some amazing guests with lots of sold out intimate nights including:
The first ever event was a screening of 'Quadrophenia' with 2 of the cast attending for a Q&A which was also recorded for a podcast.
Film Club screened the last ever UK showing of the restored Clive Barker film 'Nightbreed, The Cabal Cut' with the Restoration Director and three of the original cast attending.
A 'Hellraiser' evening with two of the cast and one of the special effects technicians in attendance.
Twice BAFTA nominated composer Simon Boswell played an exclusive acoustic set with the cult director Richard Stanley hosting Q&A sessions on their films 'Hardware' & 'Dust Devil'.
'Carry On Screaming' happened with the amazing late Fenella Fielding MBE on stage for a Q&A.
Hammer Horror, James Bond and Carry On stars, Valerie Leon, Margaret Nolan, Sally Geeson, Madeline Smith have joined us for screenings.
Working alongside the wonderful Misty Moon, Robin Askwith visited us 4 times with various screenings and different one man shows.
The late Dudley Sutton joined us for a 2 hour no censors show with stories of his amazing career.
Back in 2018, Vincent Price’s daughter Victoria joined us to discuss the legacy of her father.
Ian Ogilvy was in the UK for just one week and he came up for a screening of ‘The Witchfinder General’.
In 2019, more sold out events happened, this time showing ‘Teddy Pendergrass: If You Don’t Know Me By Now’ with BAFTA winning Director Olivia Lichtenstein attending for a Q&A. This was shared all around the world on social media by none other than Fast & Furious actor Tyrese Gibson who has the rights to film a biopic of Teddy.
The Queen Of Rock and Roll, Suzi Quatro came along in October of that year for a Q&A after the new documentary about her outstanding career. This event sold out in 36 hours.
Cult classic Flash Gordon was screened in the December and its star, Sam J Jones joined us for a Q&A, this was a real personal highlight.
Darlington Film Club was so proud to have been nominated twice for the Contribution To The Arts award at the Stronger Communities awards run by Darlington Borough Council and we won it in 2021.
Thanks to Darlington For Culture for providing some funding over the years and The Round Table for money towards a new screen.
The Northern Echo have been a big supporter of the Film Club and would like to say thank you to Andy and his colleagues for all their help with articles and interviews with our guests.
Thank you so much to Allison and everyone at The Forum who have allowed us to use their main hall and wonderful sound system, especially to Matty, Kirsten and Katie for their invaluable support. Any money we raised from the screenings and events went to The Forum. A grassroots venue that everyone in Darlington should be using. It’s a fantastic place with such a wonderful vibe.
Massive thanks go to two very special women; Kath, who without her help and encouragement, Darlington Film Club would not have been the success it was over the last 12 years and to my wife Sarah, she has been a rock when I have been organising events and screenings every week.
The biggest thanks goes to everyone who came along to the screenings and events over the last 12 years.
Darlington Film Club will still be around, popping up every now and again to host events when the opportunity arises.
The last regular screening will be the much loved classic ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ on Tuesday 5th December at 7.30pm.
It’s been a pleasure.
James.
