The Bridport Film Society is made up of film lovers resident in Bridport and across West Dorset.
Our aim is aim is to introduce more specialised films to a broader audience, films that cannot be seen in local commercial cinemas. Most of these films are foreign, therefore subtitled, and give an insight into cultures other than our own. We offer a balanced programme of films made with integrity, often in difficult circumstances and on a low budget, which in no way resemble the blockbusters found in commercial cinemas.
The Bridport Film Society is a member of the Cinema for All (formerly, British Federation of Film Societies, BFFS) and the Cinema for All South West group. Film Societies were created in 1925 with one primary objective: to screen films that were otherwise unavailable. Film societies provided an outlet for films that were censored during the twenties and thirties together with innovative material from European directors outside the Hollywood mould whose films were regarded as non-commercial by cinema owners just as they are today. The movement grew rapidly – today there are approximately 230 societies across the UK with a total membership of over 25,000 film lovers.
Our first full season was in 1965 with screenings at Colfox School Hall. The Bridport Film Society has won many awards over the years, including Best Programme Notes (2007 & 2006), Runner Up Programme of Films (2007 & 1987), Runner Up Film Society of the Year (2007) and BFFS Gold Award (1986).
Bridport Film Society has a dedicated website which includes the full programme and detailed information on all films.