St Ives Autumn and New Year Workshops 2026-7
3 day analogue film skills workshops:

Porthmeor Studios and around St Ives and the coast path, Cornwall

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£350 discounted price until 27th Sept!

Workshop Dates:
3 Day Winter Analogue Filmmaking Workshops
Booking now
16–18 November 2026 (Monday to Wednesday)
11-13 January 2027 (Monday to Wednesday)

£395 standard · 10% early booking discount
Special launch price: £350 when booked before September 27th 2026
One supported place for Cornwall artist @ £195 - chosen by need and enthusiasm!
Please let us know if you need to pay by installments

A small-group winter workshop. A focused three-day workshop with more individual support and space to experiment, ask questions and explore analogue filmmaking in depth. Work with 16mm and Standard 8, explore experimental approaches and get hands-on with film processing, including plant-based developers. A chance to spend a few days making films, meeting other filmmakers and enjoying St Ives during the quieter time of the year.

Join us for a special three-day workshop in the inspiring surroundings of St. Ives, Cornwall, where we’ll explore the art and craft of experimental analogue filmmaking. This immersive opportunity takes place in the quieter months of the year (November and January), the perfect moment to immerse ourselves in the interplay of light, nature, and film! We’ll be working at the renowned Porthmeor Studios, overlooking Porthmeor Beach, as we explore the dramatic contrasts of light across the St. Ives peninsula—from the lively surf and rock pools of Porthmeor to the serene waters of Porthgwidden, home to seals, and (if we’re lucky) dolphins and tuna - more likely in our Winter workshops! This workshop will focus on playful and experimental 8mm and 16mm filmmaking techniques, using affordable and recycled materials without the need for a formal darkroom.

More About The Workshop
We will consider the basics of artisanal 16mm and 8mm film production, learning from Joanna’s  filmmaking practice, developed over the last 20 years, which incorporates a kitchen-friendly and eco-aware approach to working with photochemical film. Joanna will share ways in which you can source affordable and recycled film making materials, working without a formal darkroom and how to align our film making practice with contemporary climate and waste-aware concerns. Residents will come away with an awareness of the artisanal film production and ways in which to continue their practice in an affordable way.
 
Participants will be encouraged to share skills and learn from each other. This opportunity will take a relaxed approach, giving plenty of time for conversation and the sharing of experiences of image-making and how this relates to the development of an photochemical moving image practice. The aim of the week is to develop a network of like-minded artists who can support each other's practices, and create spaces for sharing work more widely both online and in person through @stivesfilm.
 
Together We Will Enjoy:

• Hands-on 16mm Bolex camera work, including multiple exposures and consideration of approaches to more experimental ways of working.
• Considering the benefits of ‘sketching’ on the simpler and more affordable Standard 8 Bolex cameras
• For this workshop we are focusing on filming on land and sea. We will be seeking out quieter and/or more sheltered spots for filming  - in November and January we will be enjoying the wonderful swell around the St Ives coast path alongside the more protected harbour with its fishing boats and stranded water.
• We will be sharing eco-conscious film developing methods - caffenol and/or locally foraged plant materials.
• Using Cameraless film production techniques especially phytograms to make abstract images from plants foraged from The Island.
• November and January and both wonderful times to enjoy the Atlantic swell for sea and surf filming
• Sociable evenings sharing film with eachother - gaining inspiration from films and sharing our own practice
• A chance to explore St Ives and the coast path and enjoy sea swimming and/or surfing for the hardy! Tate St Ives and the Hepworth Garden are still open for indoor artistic enjoyment :).

Why Join?
This relaxed and collaborative workshop is open to all skill levels—no prior experience or filmmaking equipment is needed (but please feel free to bring your own), and all shared film stock and digitisation is included, thanks to sponsorship from Kodak Film. Together, we’ll explore the creative possibilities of film, share skills, and connect with like-minded artists. The goal is to foster a supportive network and develop sustainable filmmaking practices that align with contemporary climate concerns.
 
Workshop Leaders
Dr Joanna Mayes, director of @stivesfilm and founder of @mayescreative leads our workshops. Joanna is an artist filmmaker and educator with a specialism in eco aware analogue filmmaking and experimental processing techniques. Joanna treats film as ‘site’, working to find ways to reduce the impact of her filmmaking practice, whilst supporting accessible home-based and DIY film making techniques, including low cost 8mm cameras and ways to enjoy working with expired film and using plants and berries for alternative film processing and tinting.

📍 Location: Borlaise Smart Room, Porthmeor Studios, St. Ives, Cornwall

All filmmaking equipment is included (but please feel free to bring your own); workshop film stock and digitisation is included.

This opportunity does not include travel or accommodation, allowing participants to make their own choice about cost and location. There is a range of accommodation available on booking sites, including affordable rooms through Air BnB. Early booking is advised.. The next door town of Hayle has excellent transport links to St Ives and offers much more affordable accommodation when St Ives fills up! 

Click here for St Ives tourist information

Find out more about the historic Porthmeor Studios here
.

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Apply early to guarantee a place!