Storyhouse are leading a project with young film enthusiasts to teach them the skills to become film programmers, curators, and event managers. The scheme started back in October and will culminate in February half term week with a mini three day film festival at St Mary’s Church.

Inspired by a range of film industry professionals and after attending events such as the Leeds International Film Festival, the group have now settled upon a name, a film programme and a marketing plan. The group are calling themselves Immersive Cinema and the theme for the festival is Maelstrom. Inspired by a new artwork by Storyhouse’s Visual Art Director and artist David Cotterrell, (commissioned by Chester and West Cheshire Council) the piece ‘acknowledges Chester’s evolving relationship with water’. Cotterrell’s artwork will be known as The Maelstrom, and will be created by projected light and animation upon Chester’s canal, creating a sense of wonder and surprise within the waterways of Chester. It is due to launch in February around the same time as the festival.

“It’s been a great opportunity to collaborate with a group of people of a similar age, curating a film festival that will be of interest to other young people in our local area”

“For someone interested in film the Young Film Programmers has been a great way to get involved with film in a practical way and has provided excellent opportunities for us to meet industry experts and attend industry events” said Nick Bimson group member.

For the festival Immersive Cinema have taken different definitions of the word Maelstrom to put together a series of films, taking audiences on underwater adventures, or through the vortex to other worlds, or examine extreme psychological states. Film choices include cult films by Terry Gilliam and Wes Anderson, and classic thrillers by Hitchcock.

‘It’s been really impressive the way in such a short space of time the group have worked together to create an exciting line-up of film, come up with an identity for themselves and devise a marketing plan. I hope that some of the group will continue to have a relationship with the Storyhouse Cinema when it opens in May.’ says Nicky Beaumont, Storyhouse Film & Digital Programme Manager.

Full programme details will be announced and tickets will go on sale through Storyhouse soon.

You can follow the young film programmers on social media –

Instagram, @immersivecinema

Twitter @icchester

Facebook Immersive Cinema: Maelstrom