VHS Screenings

Back in 2012 I had my first taste of film programming after I was asked by the Electric Cinema in Birmingham to host a mystery VHS screening as part of their annual Shock & Gore Festival. This event then led to a collaboration with the Good Bad Movie Club to bring a VHS all-nighter to the Prince Charles Cinema in London. After that first all-nighter, which was a humble success, I went it alone on the next one, an all horror selection which went very close to selling out.
This year appears to be the year where it finally all comes together as i’ve had more requests than ever to bring VHS back to the nation.
Previous screening details can be found here, and I have even took the liberty of listing each one below, as well as adding in any upcoming dates that have been pencilled in so that you can avoid or look forward to, depending on your preference.

Scheduled Events:

The Electric Cinema, Birmingham – Wednesday, September 14th 2016 – 8.30pm
Hawk Jones (1986)
(As part of Scalarama Festival)
Tickets TBC


Previous Events:

The Mockingbird Theatre, Birmingham – Saturday, March 19th 2016
The Imp (1988)
The Eliminators (1986)
Demon Cop (1990)
Atlantis Interceptors (1983)
Never Too Young to Die (1986)
(Trash: VHS Festival)

The Mockingbird Theatre, Birmingham – Friday, September 25th 2015
The Courier of Death (1984)
(As part of the Flatpack Festival)

Minerva Works, Birmingham – Thursday, March 26th – Sunday, March 29th 2015
Pop-up Video Palace Store
(As part of Scalarama Festival)

The Mockingbird Theatre, Birmingham – Saturday, September 13th 2014
Furious (1984)
(As part of the Scalarama Festival)

The Electric Cinema, Birmingham – Sunday, July 27th 2014
Nightmare Maker (1982)
(As part of the Shock & Gore Festival)

Derby Film Festival – Friday, 9th May 2014
Siege (1983)

Film-Within-a-Film Double-bill:
Flatpack Festival, Birmingham – Saturday, 29th March 2014
Anguish (1987)
Popcorn (1991)

Martial Arts Action-packed VHS All-nighter:
The Prince Charles Cinema, London – Saturday, 22nd March 2014
Furious (1984)
The Last Dragon (1985)
Sakura Killers (1987)
Gymkata (1985)
City Dragon (1995)
Miami Connection (1987)

VHS Horror All-nighter:
The Prince Charles Cinema, London – Saturday, 5th October 2013
Ghost Town (1988)
Mom (1991)
Mutant II (1985)
Breeders (1986)
Ghoulies II (1988)
The Curse (1987)

VivaVHS vs. The Good Bad Movie Club VHS All-nighter:
The Prince Charles Cinema, London – Saturday, 27th July 2013
Enemy Territory (1987)
Naked Vengeance (1985)
The Taking of Beverly Hills (1991)

Trash Screening:
The Electric Cinema, Birmingham – Thursday, 25th July 2013
Never Too Young to Die (1986)
(As part of the Shock & Gore Festival)

Video Nasty Mystery Screening:
The Electric Cinema, Birmingham – Saturday, 7th July 2012
The Burning (1981)
(As part of the Shock & Gore Festival)

6 thoughts on “VHS Screenings

  1. Marcus O'Mahony

    I just read about your website and I’m also intrested in buying videos online or in charity shops. It also intrests me that you do your vhs screenings in london. I think you should screen some children’s cartoons like The Flintstones. Do you think it’s a good idea? Let me know soon please.

    Thanks,
    Marcus

    Reply
  2. Jason

    Its so good to see someone screening Ghost Town (1988), such an undervalued film that definitely deserves a reissue.

    Reply
    1. Viva VHS Post author

      Maybe a little tame for a horror all-nighter, upon refelction, but I agree. A great little movie from a one-time director. I’m sure someone will give it the Blu treatment.

      Reply
      1. Jason

        Tame but fun. A great horror introduction for kids. I have been after it for a while on Laserdisc but with little luck.

        Reply
  3. Alex Holloway

    Hi,

    I am interested in starting my own VHS screenings in the Norwich area, do you have any advice about getting something going and marketing such an event? We have a venue I have in mind that may be suitable for screenings but I have not approached them.

    Keep fighting the good fight!

    Alex.

    Reply
    1. Viva VHS Post author

      Hi Alex,

      Appreciate the post!

      Find a cool venue, maybe small cinema who you are sure would be willing to participate. If not, check on room hire rates and maybe think about selling your own tickets.
      Of course, it all depends on whether you wish to go down the ‘proper’ routes of gaining rights. I do, and it can be problematic. The bigger the film, the harder the problem.
      Start with a distributor like Park Circus and see if they have anything in their catalogue as they have a large selection and are pretty easy to contact for permission.
      I usually pick something of theirs, or something so obscure that the rights aren’t an issue. You can usually track the director/producer (rights owner) down with a quick Facebook/Twitter/Google search.

      Marketing is a problem. If you have a decent Twitter following, this can help, but the area you film is more important. It needs to have a solid base of film lovers. I have screened some amazing little gems at small-scale cinemas thinking it can attract people to it, but realise that travel is an issue so location and the right cinema is key.
      You could always book your screening, produce some leaflets (simple ones) and attend a similar film screening/gig where you think the audience is attractable to your planned event and hand them out at the door on the way out.

      Good luck and keep me posted with developments!

      Dale

      Reply

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