Saturday 21 November 2026

Join filmmakers, performers, and guests for the official opening of the Christmas Spirit Film Festival, featuring arrivals, photography, and a festival welcome. An evening that sets the tone for the Christmas Spirit Film Festival—celebrating creativity, community, and festive.

Schedule 
- 18:00 — Red Carpet 
- 19:00 — Christmas Songs & Carols 
- 19:00 to 23:00 — Two Film Screenings 
- 23:00 to 02:00 — Afterparty

Live Festival Performance

Enjoy a live festive performance woven into the programme. Seasonal music and song add atmosphere and emotional depth, enhancing the shared festival experience.

Session 1 
Tuesday 24 November 2026 
Time: 19:00–21:00 

Session 2 
Thursday 26 November 2026 
Time: 19:00–21:00 

Session 3  (Session 1 and 2 for those who cannot make it during the evening)
Saturday 28 November 2026 
Time: 11:00–15:00 

🎥 FROM LIGHT TO SCREEN

INDUSTRY‑LED TRAINING
with a professional cinema projectionist & 
DCP mastering specialist (DCP‑Solutions.co.uk)

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📌 WORKSHOP SUMMARY
A rare, behind‑the‑scenes, two‑day workshop revealing how films are created, prepared, and delivered for cinema exhibition. 
Participants explore early image‑making techniques before moving into modern Digital Cinema Package (DCP) workflows used in festivals and theatres.

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🎯 WHO IT’S FOR
• Festival filmmakers & first‑time directors 
• Film students & emerging creatives 
• Curious festival audiences 
• Anyone wanting to understand what happens after the edit 
No technical experience required

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⏱️ FORMAT
• 2 days 
• 2 hours per day 
• Ticketed add‑on workshop 
• Limited hands‑on spaces 

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📅 DAY 1 — WHERE IMAGES BEGIN

Analog Film & the Physics of Light

Participants Experience:
• Projection‑booth introduction to cinema 
• How light forms images before digital sensors 
• Hands‑on pinhole camera photography 
• Demo: black & white film development (TBC) 
• Exposure, frame rates & why errors show on cinema screens 

Festival Insight: 
Understanding film origins strengthens cinema‑ready filmmaking.

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📅 DAY 2 — FROM FILE TO FESTIVAL SCREEN

Digital Cinema & DCP Mastering

Participants Experience:
• How films move from edit suites into cinemas 
• What a DCP is — and why it matters 
• Cinema colour, sound & frame‑rate standards 
• Common festival technical issues 
• Practical DCP preparation walkthrough 

Festival Insight: 
What projectionists check before your film plays.

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🧠 WHAT YOU’LL TAKE AWAY
• Clear understanding of cinema‑grade presentation 
• Practical image‑creation experience 
• Insight into festival technical workflows 
• Knowledge to improve future festival submissions 

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CHILDREN’S DRAMA WORKSHOP
Saturday 28 November 2026 
Time: 11:00–14:00 
Age: 9-13
Workshop cover basic film vocabularies, and basic acting using monologue.

Wednesday 25 November 2026
Time: 19:00 - 23:00

A curated selection of inspiring Christmas films, showcasing diverse storytelling styles and perspectives. From intimate family stories to bold creative visions, these films reflect the warmth, hope, and meaning of the season.

An informal opportunity for filmmakers, guests, and creatives to connect, reflect, and celebrate together following the screenings.

Sunday 29 November 2026 

The festival concludes with an Awards Ceremony, a celebratory red-carpet moment, and afterparty, bringing the community together to mark the end of the week in true Christmas Spirit Film Festival style.

Screening & Awards Ceremony 
Time: 19:00–23:00