Our Autumn Winter programme is now well underway, and although short is still very very good (slightly biased, but still . . . ).  We recently screened The Hurt Locker, and would like to say a huge thank you to the TA who allowed two of their soldiers to come down to the Paisley Arts Centre with their bomb detection kit and show us how it all works in real life.  Humbling stuff.  Heartfelt thanks to the guys who made it out to us, straight from their shift.  You will be in our thoughts when you head back out to Afghanistan soon. 

Films we saw over the summer included Inception, The Ghost Writer, the brilliant Toy Story 3, Exit Through The Gift Shop (was it or was it not made by Banksy?), Knight and Day (Cameron and Cruise in full blockbuster mode), The A Team (speaking of blockbusters), Salt (Anjelina Jolie playing a double agent.  Or is she?) . . . to name but a few . . .

In the coming weeks we will also be trying to find out a little bit more about what you think of the films on offer at the Paisley Arts Centre, and what you would like to see screened.  If you have any thoughts, comments about our programme, the numbers of screenings, timings, what type of films we are showing then please do let us know or get in touch via the webpage.

Hope to see you at a screening soon!

We are having a short break but fear not, we will return for our Autumn Winter programme of fantastic films.

We are also taking the chance to reflect back over our first Spring Summer season at the Arts Centre, and would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has came to see one of our screenings.  We have loved every minute of it, and were delighted to meet you!

Our Autumn Winter programme is short, but very juicy and sweet.  We hope to welcome you back in September for our matinee (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) and our evening screening (Back To The Future), which will kick off our season and ease us towards Christmas (yes, it IS coming!).

Have a great summer holiday, and we’ll see you in September.

Click here to see the full list of films we screened.  The only fly in the ointment was the missing Student Film from the University West of Scotland.  Circumstances prevented the film being handed in from the University in time for the screening.

We aimed to show a mix of Shorts – comedy, a bit of drama, longer shorts and very short shorts indeed.  The intention of the evening was to try out something different, and to see if you really didn’t need 2 hours to tell a great story. 

The longest film featured Laurel and Hardy, and was 20 minutes long.  This bumbling duo still had them rolling in the aisle.  The shortest film (The Finger Trap) was just over a couple of minutes and showed how a shorter film can still provide all the entertainment.  Others such as I Love Luci, and Saltmark, had the audience in the palm of its hands.

Feedback was fantastic and it was interesting to find out everyone’s favourite!  Our audience loved the selection, and were keen to know more about the different approaches – live action, animation, colour, black and white, digital vs film.  David Newbigging and Gordon McKay (Eyes on the Street and Kickabout) were both on hand to add to the chat and answer all the questions, and we thank them warmly for coming along to the Arts Centre on such a lovely evening!

This has been a real voyage of discovery for the Film Society.  Before starting to programme for last night, it would be fair to say that awareness of Short films was limited to the fantastic Aardman Productions Creature Comforts, or the random 3 Minute Wonder on Channel 4.  Little was known of the Shorts Film Festivals that are held around the world – even on our doorstep as part of the recent Glasgow Film Festival.

Such was the response, that we are looking toward possibly screening a short Short prior to our films, starting either at our Autumn Winter programme, or in the Spring 2011.  In the meantime, we would encourage everyone to get to the likes of the Edinburgh Film Festival and check out their shorts!  So to speak . . .

Fancy a week long mix of workshops, kids movies, Silver Screenings, Parent and Baby screenings, movie quiz, and another Buddies Choice?   Yep, us too!

It is the hope of the Paisley Film Society who has worked with the lovely people at the Paisley Arts Centre to apply for funds to do just that.  If successful in our application, it is hoped the Film Fiesta would take place in February, launching our new Spring Summer programme for 2011, helping to bring yet more choice and film fun to the town.  We have submitted our application to Regional Screen Scotland, with a draft schedule for the Fiesta.

Of course, we will keep you updated on all (any!) progress, so keep your eyes peeled to the blog and to the webpage.

Fingers crossed!

Actually, they are here, in town, and having a ball.  As guests of Reid Kerr College, a contingent of students and their lecturers from St Petersburg have been sampling the delights of Paisley, Renfrewshire and Scotland.

Paisley Film Society were delighted to help welcome them with a special screening of Twilight at the Arts Centre.  Our visitors showed their appreciation of the vampie-ish charms of Robert Pattinson and moody beauty Kristen Stewart with a rousing cheer and round of applause as the lights went down.

Afterwards was a chance to mingle.  Such a lovely group of people, it was a real pleasure to meet them.  The chance to practice some newly learned Russian phrases was ditched (ochyeen preeyahtnah – I’m very pleased to meet you) as soon as it became clear their English was utterly superb – they are working towards becoming translaters, after all!

A wonderful evening.  Thanks to the Paisley Arts Centre and the Reid Kerr College for working together to  get it organised. And thanks especially to the students and lecturers of the University of St Petersburg

If you would like the Paisley Film Society to screen a film on behalf of your group, get in touch here 

Dah sveedahneeyah!

Well time sure does fly! 

So far this year we have seen our Patron Peter Mullan in the cracking On A Clear Day; also Michael Caine in Is Anybody There and Dev Patel in Slumdog Millionaire.  We’ve also had our first matinee Step Up 2 The Streets.  Next on the billing is our 2nd matinee – The Iron Giant.  An animation gem that is for kids of all ages. Not a bad start to the year, I think you’ll agree!

As the Spring/Summer programme is well underway, we are looking toward the latter half of the year.  Dates for our Autumn/Winter programme are being finalised, and our long list of films will be pulled together also.  We may not have as many screening dates, but we are working on making sure we are able to offer just as great a variety of films that will suit everyone.

Other news . . . we were invited to give a presentation at the Paisley branch of Rotary.  We learned that these guys do a fantastic amount of work each year to raise money for local and international charities.  They learned all about the Film Society, the Arts Centre partnership, and our hopes for the future of cinema in the town.   We were made really welcome, and can’t thank them enough.

Our hopes to have a Student Showcase later in the year is moving ahead.  Further discussions with ‘top men’ are seeing this moving forward bit by bit.  It’s really exciting to be able to offer a platform for local talent to screen their finished films.  Keep checking back for more updates.

It has been a battle royal, it’s seen the prize for being top dog switch back and forth like a metronome and it’s nearing its conclusion!  Yes – the deadline for Buddies Choice is looming ever closer.  The top two films have consistently been either The Usual Suspects or Passport to Pimlico. But that doesn’t need to be the case!  There is still time to vote!  To see the results click here and to cast your vote click here.

Paisley Film Society would really like to screen some of the best of what the students have to offer, be it short films, animation, longer projects – we want to be able to show off the talent that is in our town!

Things are at a very early stage, but it is hoped that come the Autumn Winter season, we will have some cracking films from students at both the Reid Kerr College and the University West of Scotland on our big screen. 

If you are a student at either the Reid Kerr or the UWS, talk to your tutor, get in touch with us, we would love to hear from you.  Lets keep the momentum going for what could be a very exciting aspect of our next screening programme.

We plan to have another Buddies Choice – where your vote counts.  Also more matinees, a couple of foreign movies, and hopefully another great mix.  Autumn Winter screening dates are being considered right now so keep your eyes peeled for our next bumper mix of cracking films.

Not seen your favourite flick on our list?  Get in touch and tell us what you would love us to show.  Thats how it works!  All suggestions are put on ‘The List’, and considered by the Film Society committee.  All our previous films have been suggested by you.

Of course, we’ll keep you updated with all thats going on behind the scenes an on screen – keep checking back for more info!

It was best bib and tucker on to welcome our invited guests and members of the public. Fairy lights that Tinkerbell would have been proud of sparkled around the Arts Centre.  Our logo proudly projected across the pavement.

Everyone gets the red carpet treatment!

It may have been freezing outside, but after walking the red carpet everyone was warmly welcomed with a glass of fizz.   Champagne corks continued to pop guests mingled and chatted,  some new friends and acquaintences made.  It was a great chance to congratulate our Paisley Daily Express competition winners.  Not only did they win tickets to the gala evening, but a year’s membership to the Film Society too! 

Sadly Peter Mullan, Patron and supporter of the Film Society, had to cancel his engagement with us at the very last minute, having been called into the studio in London.  Peter had been due to welcome guests and open the Societies programme for the year.  However he sent us his best wishes and all the very best of luck for the year ahead. 

Before the lights dimmed for our first movie of the year, Cllr Elaine McCartin took to the stage to say a few words of welcome and support for the Film Society, and the return of cinema to the town.  Linda Mundell, Chair of the Film Society also took the opportunity to welcome members, guests and the public to the evening, and to thank everyone who had helped to make it possible.

Anything is Possible is the tagline for On A Clear Day, the film chosen for the gala night launch of the Paisley Film Society’s Spring Summer 2010 programme.  And with the closing credits accompanied by applause, it really did feel that we had achieved something.

Thanks to everyone who helped make it a fantastic night to remember.

Not a member yet?  What are you waiting for?! Click here, get in touch and we’ll organise it for you. Want to influence our Autumn Winter programme?  Tell us what you want to see!

Its been a busy old month, with plans for the celebration of our new home at the Paisley Arts Centre being put into place.  And time has flown by with our Gala evening on Tuesday 2nd February drawing ever closer.

The guest list has been drawn up, invites sent out and RSVPs received.  We have our red carpet ready, the fizz has been delivered, and the press have been in touch.  We have even had messages of good luck broadcast from Janice Forsyth on her BBC Scotland’s Movie Cafe!  Everything is in place for a fantastic night worthy of kicking off our Spring Summer programme.

Not a member of the Film Society yet?  Click here, get in touch and we will do the rest.  Membership is only £10 for the year (January – December 2010), and allows members to enjoy entry to each screening for a bargain £3.00.  Don’t miss out!

Come join in the fun, walk the red carpet, get your picture taken and maybe even meet our Patron Peter Mullan.  We are looking forward to seeing you all on Friday 2nd February from 6.30pm onwards.  Curtain up for our screening of On A Clear Day is 7.30pm, so don’t be late!