Creative exploration through analogue filmmaking

​BACKGROUND TO ST IVES FILM

St Ives Film was set up to share the magic and excitement of working with hand processed analogue artist film, whilst making the most of both analogue and digital ways to share our film; from using live analogue projection to  digitising our films for live visuals and mapping or creating intriguing content to share on socials.

Joanna Mayes BEd (hons) PhD, founder of St Ives Film is an artist specialising in creative and experimental filmmaking living in St Ives, Cornwall. Jo's background in education ensures that the needs of individuals are considered, with care being taken to support different approaches and learning styles. Through learning different approaches to creating films through the craft of analogue filmmaking and sharing. The joy of experimental filmmaking is that there is no wrong way, just processes that give different results! ​Joanna specialises in eco-aware and kitchen friendly hand processing of film, using cheap instant coffee and plants, creating a speedy and satisfying workflow.

Rationale
How can artists move from curiosity about analogue film as a creative medium into deeper artist-led moving-image practice, whilst attracting new audiences to this work?
I set up St Ives Film in response to the barriers I experienced accessing artist-led film training in rural Cornwall. The model I developed during my our first 18 months involves national/international artists supporting workshops in St Ives, with their full-price places helping subsidise local artists with a 50% subsidy for a local artist on each workshop.

Taster workshops are also key for those artists who have not had access to analogue filmmaking equipment. A pilot £10 Cornwall artists’ taster day in 2025 filled quickly; 50% subsequently took local places on extended workshops and stayed in touch for technical help.

​MORE ABOUT OUR APPROACH

Analogue film has a unique look - it also allows a more tactile and intuitive approach to film making, with a rich history in artist moving image. The challenge of working in this way today is both cost of film and lab processing and also the time it can take to see the results of any film making, through lab turnarounds. Our DIY approach to film making offers a more immediate and affordable approach, especially appropriate for those new to working with analogue moving image. Remaindered film and coffee and plant processing and tinting create memorable images whilst keeping the costs down. Films can be set off for telecine to gain high quality digital images at a fraction of the price.

​ABOUT OUR WORKSHOP PROGRAMME

Analogue film has a unique look - it also allows a more tactile and intuitive approach to film making, with a rich history in artist filmmaking. The challenge of working in this way is both cost of film and lab processing and also the time it can take to see the results of any film making, through lab turnarounds. Our DIY approach to film making offers a more immediate and affordable approach, especially appropriate for those new to working with analogue moving image. Remaindered film and coffee and plant processing and tinting create memorable images whilst keeping the costs down. Films can be set off for telecine to gain high quality digital images at a fraction of the price.

Our workshop programme is designed to support artists, especially those living in Cornwall, into discovering how they might work with analogue moving image in their work; which format is best for their work and creative aspirations? How to consider bringing their location into the surface and film object through hand processing and tinting with local (or culturally relevant) plants or plant waste. Simple ways to work with cameraless film and projection to support creative projects.

Feedback

​ONE TO ONE SUPPORT

I also offer one to one support for artists - whether for experimental filmmaking/hand processing or for ongoing mentoring and/or Arts Council England access support for making an application for funding. I have been invited by artist students and professionals to support their work and have been delighted to offer access support to two Summer 26 DYCP bids for artist filmmakers - a pilot for St Ives film - both of which I am delighted to say were successful. I also supported a RCA Masters student from Cornwall in documenting their final project using analogue film, using the beautiful setting of Porthmeor Studios. I have also provided one to one CPD for University Tutors who wish to provide an overview of analogue artist film techniques and what is available to students both locally and further afield.

I especially enjoyed working with an experimental filmmaker, supporting their idea of hand processing the colour footage, using Porthmeor seawater and sand within and together hand processing footage taken along the coast path the day before, all in 12 hours. This film is now being shown in festivals.
Feedback: Thank you so much for your masterful work and guidance. And for your willingness to jump on to this slightly bonkers and spontaneous thing!

​FUTURE PLANS

In response to comments from our participants and partners we are applying for funding to extend our offer, especially to develop more concrete pathways for artists to progress with their learning, especially emerging artists in Cornwall and the rural SW. This research would support us to develop our reuse and repair aspirations (essential for artists to continue working in this medium).

I am also working with local artists and artists from further afield to develop a new artist film event in St Ives. I am in conversation with local artists and young people who wish to get involved, Tate St Ives and also discussing placement opportunities with PhD students from CHASE at Goldsmiths' College (recent workshop participants) about how we can work together to make this happen.

​CAMERA SALES

In response to feedback from artists, I am developing a camera sales offer, with cameras being fully serviced by my repairer and fully tested with film by me, for the more expensive H16 Bolex models. The smaller models come with a replacement offer if they are not fully operational when first being used with film.

Looking for a Camera? Click here for more info