Leicester centre launches as main hub for Documentary Media Month

20151104_190028

BY NICOLE PATRICK-GIBSON

The Wot Space at Highcross launched it’s centre to host a variety of events for Documentary Media Month on Wednesday at 6pm.

Leicester’s sixth film festival will include with free film screenings, workshops and inspirational talks across the city this November.

The ‘global citizens’ theme this year will focus on real people’s lives, places and events around the world.

The pop up Documentary Media Centre will be the main hub for information and events.

Doc Media Centre Founder John Coster said: “The whole idea of this is to get people interested in documentary film. We also want to address the fact that not all documentaries have to be about such heavy issues.”

Mr Coster set up the space and has relied on donated camera equipment and the use of free silent disco headphones.

He added: “The headphones have allowed us to screen multiple films in the space at once and the projector to get films about big issues on to the big screen.”

The events will cover four areas: film, photography, audio and new media.

They will be focusing on how the media treats marginalized groups such as the homeless, gypsies, migrants and disabled.

The Reportage Club taking place throughout the month at the Media Centre will feature appearances from special guests.

Photographer Kajal Nisha Patel will host a discussion and showcase examples from her portfolio on Thursday November 5.

BBC Radio Leicester presenter Ed Stagg will be giving a talk about his career on Thursday November 19.

Alex Faulkner, media production graduate said: “As a photographer I’ll probably attend the Reportage Club but being interested in documentaries and film in general, all the events sound interesting.”

Other events include a screening of Agora, a documentary focusing on the Greek/EU crisis and a 48 hour docfilm challenge.

Mr Coster said: “One of the aims of this centre is to bring together a range of people from the public to students to academics. It’s rare these sets of people will come together for discussions.”

DMU Programme Leader for Communication Arts Ben Archer said: “As a new course, we’re keen for our students to get interested and participate in community media so this film festival will be excellent for them to get involved with.”

For a full list of events visit docmediacentre.org or follow @DocMediaCentre on twitter for updates.

The festival ends November 30.