Flatpack Film Takeover at Sandwell Arts Festival

As part of this year's Sandwell Arts Festival, West Bromwich Town Hall will be transformed into a multiplex with a difference...

A range of screenings and activities will take over spaces throughout the building, ranging from kids' cartoons to 1902 footage of West Bromwich to 'Jambo Cinema', a unique South Asian home viewing experience complete with chai and samosas. Entry is free throughout the day, and you can drop in any time. Discover imaginary worlds and fantastical places through this colourful programme of animated shorts for all ages. 1902 film shot on West Brom High Street, featuring a horde of boisterous kids in flat caps. Unique Bollywood living room experience, with film, food and conversation. Curated by Dawinder Bansal, and partly informed by her own upbringing in a Wolverhampton video shop (see below). Three film commissions from the Sandwell-based cultural powerhouse: Teddy Gray's Sweet Factory (dir: Martin Parr, 20 mins) High Street Stories (dir: Daniel Meadows, 23 mins) Bee Movies (dir: Chris Keenan, 30 mins) This filmmaking collective are currently developing their first feature. Today they’ll present a selection of their own short-form work alongside films that have influenced them. Two recent documentaries exploring the particular dialects of Cradley Heath and Oldbury.

There will also be a Multistory resource room running throughout the day, where you can delve into some of their past projects and talk to them about future plans.

The Takeover climaxes in the main hall at 6:30pm, with a special screening of Buster Keaton's The General with live piano.

The Black Country Pop-up Film Tour runs throughout August, and is part of Creative Black Country's Imagine That! summer season.