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Swindon Film Society Organisation

About Us

Swindon Film Society, founded in February 1947 (see our Origins page for more detail), aims to show a wide-ranging programme of international films which would not otherwise be seen locally.

We are a voluntary organisation, run by a committee elected by the Society’s members at our Annual General Meeting, generally held in October/November. Our constitution clearly states our aims and objectives, and can be viewed here.

We usually hold our AGM in October/November - two or three films into new season. See the table below for a copy of our most recent annual report in PDF format.

Swindon Film Society Committee

Committee Members

Chair
Robert Elrick

Secretary
Martin Savage

Membership Secretary
Lyndy Griffin

Treasurer
Rosemary Young

Web Developer
Richard Turpin

Marketing
To Be Confirmed

Front of House
Roger Griffin
Patrick Aynie
Diane Miles
Lizzie Brown

Film Selection
All

The Swindon Film Society is an independent voluntary organisation, run by a committee elected each year at the Annual General Meeting (held usually in October/November). We would always welcome new committee members who want to get actively involved in running the society.

The committee meets about once a month or less throughout the year. If you are interested in joining the committee, or would like the help in some way, please speak to any member of our team on a film night, or use the Contact Us page of this website..

Annual Reports and Accounts

Year Report File
2019-20 Annual Report PDF
2019-20 Accounts Income and Expenditure PDF
2020-21 Annual Report - Finance Only PDF
2020-21 Accounts Income and Expenditure PDF
2021-22 Annual Report PDF
2021-22 Accounts Income and Expenditure PDF
2022-23 Annual Report PDF
2022-23 Accounts Income and Expenditure PDF
2020 AGM Minutes PDF
2021 AGM Minutes PDF
2022 AGM Minutes PDF
2023 AGM Minutes PDF

Our Season

Our season runs from September to April of the following year. Our main programme of 14 to 15 films is shown at the Swindon Arts Centre, using their digital projector, which has been available since 2008. The Arts Centre was also equipped with a new screen in 2016.Films are usually shown on alternate Wednesday evenings, depending on availability in the Arts Centre schedule.

Film notes, including synopsis and reviews, are provided at each performance; these are also available on this website. The audience can record its reaction to a film by indicating a response on a reaction slip handed to everyone attending a film performance. We display previous audience reactions on film nights.

We constantly search for new films, from one season to the next. If you like to see a recent film that might not be shown anywhere else locally, please feel free to make a suggestion to any member of our team.

Our Equipment

In 2005 we were awarded an 80% grant from the UK Film council to purchase DVD equipment, with the aim of bringing all kinds of films to the wider community in the Swindon area. In early 2006 we started a new season of films in Highworth, and an ‘alternative’ programme at the Moose Hall in Swindon.

The Highworth venture went from strength to strength and has ultimately led to becoming a separate Film Society (see our Community Cinema page for details).

We have also used and are continuing to use our digital equipment in other locations. This DVD equipment has enabled us to engage in ‘Community Cinema’ and bring films to a wider audience beyond Swindon Arts Centre.

Cinema for All

Swindon Film Society is a member of Cinema for All (formerly known as the British Federation of Film Societies or BFFS). Founder members of The British Federation of Film Societies included Anthony Asquith, Sidney Bernstein, Ivor Montagu, H G Wells, George Bernard Shaw, Augustus John and Maynard Keynes.

Cinema for All continues to be instrumental, through its many branches all over the country, in bringing good films to the general public without slavishly adhering to the yardstick of commercial success. In the final analysis, quality gives better and longer lasting enjoyment.