St Ives Summer and Autumn Filmmaking Schools 2026-7
4 day analogue film skills workshops:

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

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10% off for early registration!

Registration opens for our 2027 film workshops in Sept 2026:

Workshop Dates:
October 5th - 8th 2026 (waiting list only)
Registration opens for our 2027 workshops in Sept 2026. Please join our mailing list to be first to hear/pre-registration. Planned dates below:

10-13 May 2027 (smaller group)
14-17 June 2027 (larger group, 2 tutors)
26-29 July 2027 (larger group, 2 tutors)
+ a welcome meeting on the Sunday night for those staying locally

PLUS
our new Advanced filmmaking workshop (click here for details)
15-18 March 2027

Price: £445 for 4 days £399 with 10% earlybird discount applied
supported place for Cornwall artist @ £199 - chosen by need and enthusiasm!

Please let us know if you need to pay by installments

Join us for a special four-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 just after the Summer Solstice, with its long days and warmer evenings, offering a 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 Autumn workshop! 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 and James’ filmmaking practices, developed over the last 20 years, which incorporate a kitchen-friendly and eco-aware approach to working with photochemical film. Both artists 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 and @mayescreative.
 
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 October we will be enjoying the wonderful Autumn 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.
• August is busy and fun, with warmer evenings to enjoy sunset on the beach - October can be hot at times and very blowy at others; 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! (Friday is left free for exploring further afield)

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.
 
James Holcombe of Erehwon Film joins us as guest tutor for our larger workshops in April and June. James has an international reputation as an artist filmmaker and educator, having taught 16mm Bolex and experimental photochemical filmmaking to hundreds of individual filmmakers as well as to students at UK film and art schools. James also runs the independent film lab @erehwon_film.

📍 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, especially in Summer. The next door town of Hayle has excellent transport links to St Ives and offers much more affordable accommodation when St Ives fills up! Camping at Ayr Caravan Park is a great option - £22 for a single backpacker, no need to book.

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!