Filming and Foraging: February Film School
4 day analogue film skills workshop 16-19 Feb 2026
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Monday February 16th - Thursday February 19th, 2026
+ Sunday evening welcome meeting Price: £425 for 4 days £382.50 with 10% discount applied supported place for Cornwall artist @ £195 - chosen by need and enthusiasm! First round and 10% discount to end January 2026 Join us for this 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 in the St Ives, offering the chance to start the year learning new skills whilst enjoying wide open beaches and the wonderful Atlantic swell and surf! Porthmeor and the Coast Path come alive at this time of year where we feel at the very edge of the land. We plan to immerse ourselves in the interplay of light, nature, and film! Early plants around our coastal path are already pushing ahead, despite the weather! Alexanders and Three Cornered Leek (a close relative of Wild Garlic) are already growing strongly, making potent developers and good things to eat :). On this workshop, led by plant development and analogue filmmaking specialist Dr Joanna Mayes, will offer a space for us to spend time filming on Porthmeor Beach and along the coast path, learning about 8mm and 16mm analogue film cameras, whilst enjoying the wonderful St Ives light, weather and sealife at this time of year. This week we have been visited by porpoises, dolphins, tuna and of course our local seals - the sealife you can see is much more varied at this time of year. We also usually have more surf and incredible low light which makes for some wonderful filmmaking subjects. On this workshop we will also focus on working with plants and plant-based hand processing of analogue film - a particular fascination of workshop leader Joanna Mayes. We will test and process our 16mm and 8mm footage with carefully foraged coastal plants (and also discuss the properties and potential of seaweed, sea water and sand within our hand processing). To complement this we will be working with plant-based cameraless film techniques (phytograms and Brackage) and enjoy viewing our results as direct positive as analogue projection. St Ives Film director Dr Joanna Mayes will be leading these workshops. Joanna Mayes is director of @stivesfilm and founder of @mayescreative. Joanna is an artist filmmaker and educator with a specialism in eco aware analogue filmmaking and experimental processing techniques. Joanna treats film as ‘site’, exploring ways to bring an experience of being present in a place into the materiality of the film itself. Joanna will share ways to reduce the impact of our 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 autumnal plants and berries for alternative film processing and tinting. These workshops will focus on playful and experimental 8mm and 16mm filmmaking techniques, using affordable and recycled materials without the need for a formal darkroom. 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, St Ives Island and the Coastal Path. More About The Workshops We will consider the basics of artisanal 16mm and 8mm film production, learning from Joanna’s filmmaking practices, 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 and @mayescreative. Together We Will Enjoy:
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. 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. 📍 Location: Porthmeor Studios, St. Ives, Cornwall 📅 Dates: Monday February 16th - Thursday February 19th, 2026 + Sunday evening welcome meeting Practicalities Price: £425 for 4 days £382.50 with 10% discount applied supported place for Cornwall artist @ £195 - chosen by need and enthusiasm 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. October can be quieter in St Ives, but early booking is advised. Camping at Ayr Caravan Park is a great option for those who own vans! Camping can be wonderful, but the Atlantic weather can come in at this time of year...:) Click here for St Ives tourist information Find out more about the historic Porthmeor Studios here . |
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10% discount to end January 2026 - apply now to guarantee a place!
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