Somerset Film at The Engine Room

Apologies to anyone trying to contact us today by phone - we have experienced a power issue this morning that has knocked out our VOIP system. Our internet is back up and running (so we are able to respond to emails) but this may be intermittent as we work to resolve the problem. Thanks to Paul Hill Technical Service of Bridgwater for their prompt response.

👇

🎬 Short Film Commission Awarded to Ruben Dicker!

We’re delighted to announce that Ruben has been awarded our Short Film Commission for his short film, The Morris Men! 🎉

We met with our shortlisted filmmakers and scriptwriters to hear more about the ideas behind their proposals and what this opportunity would mean to them.

What struck us most was not only the quality of the work, but the ambition, passion and originality each of them brought to the conversation. It was exciting to explore their ideas and think about how we might continue working with some of these talented young creatives beyond this commission.

Only one script could receive the commission, which includes funding, access to professional equipment and producer mentoring, giving Ruben the opportunity to bring his film to life. 🎥

At a time when budgets are tightening and funding priorities are shifting, opportunities like this can be amongst the first to disappear. We’re hugely grateful to our BFI Film Academy South West consortium for championing this commission and making it possible.

This month The Morris Men, a moving drama about loneliness in a rural setting by young filmmaker Ruben Dicker, enters production. Ruben will be filming in the South Yeovil area with a crew that includes alumni Max Chorley, Liam Phelps and Sophie Kingston.

Thanks to everyone is helping to make this film happen, from cast and crew to location owners. Ruben's film was selected from 39 scripts submitted to the the annual short film commission for young filmmakers, supported by BFI Film Academy and Watershed. It will be premieerd later in the year.

Congratulations, Ruben! We can’t wait to see your film take shape. 👏🎬

And thank you to everyone who submitted a proposal. The quality, ambition and creativity of the work made this a difficult decision, and we’re excited to see what comes next for all of you.

📸 Celebrating Somerset’s next generation of photographers! 📸

What an incredible evening at The Engine in Bridgwater as we celebrated the opening of the Young Photographer Showcase 2026! 🎉

This year’s showcase features work from 64 young photographers aged 6- 25, with more than 150 photographs submitted, double the number of entries received in 2025! 🙌

🏆 Robert Richards Award: Congratulations to Mitch Corrigan from Glastonbury for his image on the theme of climate change and the natural landscape.

👏 Judges’ Commendation: Congratulations to Indy Pitman!

A huge thank you to the judging panel of photographers, Justin Krause, Kate Pearce and Jeff Searle for supporting the selection process, and to everyone who submitted their work and shared their creativity with us.

The Young Photographer Showcase 2026 is now open to the public at The Engine Room, Bridgwater, until 11 September.

📅 Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
🕙 10am–3.30pm
📍The Engine Room, TA6 3BL

Come along and discover the incredible talent emerging from across Somerset. ❤️📷
Share 👉 https://fb.me/e/6eoEiwT27

Our latest news and upcoming events for August.

August and September are packed with opportunities to explore, create and learn. Discover our Young Photographers' Showcase, take part in free creative activities throughout the summer, book onto our latest workshops, and find out what's coming this autumn at The Engine Room.

Read it all in our latest newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/somersetfilm/somerset-film-latest-news-and-upcoming-events-from-august-2026

Somerset Film - Latest news and upcoming events from August 2026 August and September are packed with opportunities to explore, create and learn. Discover our Young Photographers' Showcase, take part in free creative activities throughout the summer, book onto our latest workshops, and find out what's coming this autumn at The Engine Room.

This August, visit The Engine Room for the Young Photographers exhibition or develop your creative skills on our Editing Workshop.

Find out more and plan your visit: www.somersetfilm.com/whats-on

There are still FREE places available! This Saturday!

🎬 Create a film campaign around the issues of va**ng on our filmmaking Workshop on Saturday 8 August at the Minehead Eye!

Are you aged 13–16 and interested in filmmaking? Join our Creative Filmmaking Workshop to learn new filmmaking skills while creating an anti-va**ng campaign for young people.

No filmmaking experience is needed, just bring your creativity and your ideas! You'll get hands-on with professional equipment, work as part of a team, and have your voice heard.

📅 Saturday 8 August
🕙 10am – 4pm
📍 Minehead EYE
🎟️ FREE (booking essential)

Spaces are limited, so book now to avoid missing out!

Find out more and reserve your place: http://www.somersetfilm.com/.../workshop-anti-va**ng...

📢 New Date Announced – Somerset Arts + Culture Diversity Forum 2026

Due to the recent postponement, Somerset Film at The Engine Room, along with Somerset Art Works and Take Art are pleased to share the new date for the Somerset Arts + Culture Diversity Forum 2026.

🗓️ Friday 9 October 2026
🕙 10am – 1pm
📍 Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil

Join artists, older people, educators, care workers and arts professionals for an inspiring afternoon of conversation, shared experiences and ideas exploring creativity, ageing and wellbeing.

🎟️ Free to attend, but places are limited.
👉 Book your place here: www.somersetfilm.com/whats-on/event-somerset-arts-culture-diversity-forum-2026

Say you're attending or share this event: https://fb.me/e/8qtaehNd6

We hope to see you there! 💜

Discover the hidden orchestra of the natural world. 🌿🎙️

Join us for a practical field recording activity where you'll learn how to sample natural sounds from the surrounding landscape. From birdsong and flowing water to rustling leaves and distant wildlife, you'll capture the unique acoustic character of the environment.
These recordings will become the building blocks for creating your own immersive soundscape composition, transforming everyday environmental sounds into expressive audio art.

Whether you're interested in sound design, music production, ecology, or simply listening more deeply, this hands-on experience offers a new way to connect with nature through sound.

If you would like to gain experience in this, our Creative Technologist will show you everything you need to know on out one day workshop on September.

📅 Saturday 5 September 2026
🕙 10am - 4pm
📍 Somerset Film at The Engine Room (TA6 3BL)
🎟️ £120
Book: www.somersetfilm.com/whats-on/workshop-soundscape-composition-2026