Welcome to My Forgotten Favourites: a celebration of the distinctively kitsch and colourful cult films of the late 90s/early 00’s at Storyhouse Cinema this summer!   

Across the 5 film screenings and accompanying events, we are celebrating the over-the-top costumes, iconic soundtracks, and subversive comedy that made these films underground classics to those in the know. From our worn-out VHS tapes and scratched soundtrack CDs, the season will give these cult gems the big screen treatment they deserve.  

To some, the phrase “cult classic” may bring to mind an image of a particular kind of film. My Forgotten Favourites aims to open up the doors to the next generation, moving on from 80s boyhood nostalgia to the vivid and bizarre films that were cherished at many a 90s sleepover.  

Not only do these films come from the same era, but they share a number of motifs and themes. Across the selection strong female and LGBT+ characters are represented, with friendship and community always at their core. At the same time, satirical humour is used to skewer consumerism (Josie and the Pussycats), conservative America (But I’m A Cheerleader), and the high school popularity contest (Jawbreaker). This is often achieved through the use of pop music and vibrant colour in set design and clothing. This gives these films their distinct stylistic signatures that allowed them a certain amount of mainstream appeal to their teenage target audiences upon their release (though not enough to bring great box office success) and a level of strangeness that has kept these films in the minds of cult film fans in the present day.

This season has been created by Isobel, a former Storyhouse Young Programmer. Read an interview with Isobel here.

This event is part of Film Feels Curious, a UK-wide cinema season, supported by the National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network. Explore all films and events at filmfeels.co.uk.