B Film Annual Report: 2025-2026

Events

As always, we’ve run some of the same key events and series. Our Queer Film series continued for the third year running, with the podcast also continuing alongside it.

In October, we collaborated with the Race Equality Network to run a series of screenings for Black History Month which was successful, drawing a range of staI and students.

In November, we hosted Queer East as it brought part of its festival to Birmingham. We screened a series of films across two nights, open to both members of the university and the wider community.

In December, we ran an event for Disability History Month, inviting alumni Bhulla Beghal, visual artist Sima Gonsai and producer Celestine Fraser to showcase their films covering a range of approaches to disability and care.

Throughout the year, we ran Work in Progress sessions, allowing staI and PGRs the chance to present their work informally and discuss their thoughts. Speakers this year included Xiang Fan and Catherine Lester.

Our Annual Lecture this year provided more of a focus on the practice-based elements of film: Dr Laura Canning from the Sound and Image Lab in Falmouth. Dr Canning outlined the collaborative approach between staI and students on productions, and the way in which the lab provided opportunities for strengthening cultural identity and community connection.

We ran another guest event in March for Women’s History Month. We had filmmaker and documentarian Charysse Tia Harper visit to discuss women working in men’s spaces. Alongside the screening of her film, she brought some guests to discuss their experience of working in male-dominated industries.

In June, we ran an Adaptation Day, co-funded by BAFTSS. This brought together scholars working across disciplines in the area of adaptation.

July saw the Creative Practice Colloquium run for another year, highlighting the importance of practice-based research.

B Film staff achievements

In April, many of the B Film members attended the annual BAFTSS Conference in Bournemouth.

We’ve had publications from James Walters (Visions in the Frame), Christina Wilkins (Male Mental Illness in Contemporary Culture). We’ve had short films from Jemma Penny and Oscar Vintner (A Birmingham Symphony), and Chris Nunn has been working on a feature film, Wrath of the Gods.

We’re continually proud of the research of our staff, students, and the engagement of our community.

Here’s to next year!