Bath Film Festival 2013
The Bath Film Festival organisers pride themselves on curating a programme of films that residents and visitors to Bath might easily miss out on without the festival to get their bums in theatre seats. For a week spanning the end of November and beginning of December 2013, the Bath Film Festival will return with a lively, conversation sparking and ever engaging selection of the best non-mainstream releases of the year.
The festival’s patron, British film director Ken Loach, says of the Bath Film Festival “[it’s] not a place to be neutral, it’s somewhere you go to participate”. So why not plan a trip to this historic South West city and get involved in one of the most fun and eye opening film festivals in the UK? Bath boasts plenty of places to stay including cheap and cheery campsites that aren’t at all far from the action and elegant hotels right in the centre of town. Plus you can easily travel there by train, car or bus from all over the country.
The organisers are currently putting this year’s programme together, so get your popcorn in and start preparing for some cinematic treats. There are six venues involved for film screenings; the Little Theatre Cinema, Little@Komedia, the Rondo Theatre, Chapel Arts, the Masonic Hall and Bath Abbey.
Little Theatre Cinema
Bath’s Little Theatre Cinema is the local Picturehouse establishment, and as is usual for this chain of cinemas it’s a great theatre which shows a range of films including mainstream and independent projects.
The cinema has Bath’s typical 1930s architectural features and is extremely close to the Thermae Bath Spa – so it’s a central and striking building that you’ll enjoy spending time in during the course of the festival.
Little@Komedia
Komedia recently joined forces with Picturehouse cinemas, and added one impressively large screen at the Bath Komedia. Located on Westgate Street, Little@Komedia reawakens one of Bath’s greatest legacies – the Komedia was the original location of the West of England’s first ever cinema, and throughout the 20th Century the screen was the biggest in Bath. So it’s a welcome move to bring films back to the Komedia, and great to see Picturehouse oversee that move. You can also enjoy the Komedia Arts Café in between films while you’re perusing the programme for your next visual treat.
Rondo Theatre
The Rondo Theatre was first launched in 1989 and has gradually become one of the most popular small theatres in the UK. It sees dozens of touring shows pass through its doors each year, and in its capacity as a charity serving the local community the theatre management are pleased to be able to support events such as the Bath Film Festival. The Rondo has a great atmosphere, with tiered seating and space for 105 audience members. It’s an intimate venue perfectly suited for the film aficionados who will be visiting during the festival.
Chapel Arts
The Chapel Arts Centre is a community run alternative arts venue that hosts music, theatre and film among other events throughout the year. The venue boasts fantastic acoustics and an excellent bar serving local beers and ciders as well as a range of other drinks.
Like the Rondo Theatre, the Chapel Arts Centre is a registered charity which aims to provide a base for arts activities in Bath. The recently refurbished café also serves delicious vegetarian food so consider arriving early tohave dinner before your film starts!
Masonic Hall
The Old Orchard Street Theatre at the Masonic Halls in Bath is also a popular Bath tourist attraction. The building is over 260 years old, and it has served many functions including Catholic chapel, Theatre Royal and Masonic Lodges. It now offers tours to the public and houses a Masonic museum, as well as the theatre. The theatre auditorium is a beautiful room befitting a Grade 2 listed building, and the perfect setting for the range of exciting new films being showcased this year.
Bath Abbey
The final venue being used as part of the festival is the incredible Bath Abbey. With its impressive high ceilings Bath Abbey is an atmospheric environment which is ideal for some truly epic cinematic experiences.
The Abbey has been on this site for over a thousand years, so it has a rich history. Be sure to have a wander around the large cemetery and maybe even take yourself along for a guided tour while you are staying in Bath. The Abbey is one of the main attractions in Bath, film festival or not, so certainly worth exploring in between film viewings.
