One of the highlights of the 2009 programme was an afternoon of film at one of London’s oldest cinemas, the Holloway Odeon, on Sunday 28th June.

Islington Reels included:

• Idol Mind – a stylish documentary produced by Kate Greenslade, and focuses on one of her photography students, a 19-year-old trying to get his life back on track after having been convicted of a knife crime and the experiences that ensued.
• Cluster – directed by Louise Radinger who lives in Highbury and formed the Highbury Film Group.  Cluster focuses on a small group of survivors at the end of the world. With a cast of North Londoners, it is filmed in various settings including Arsenal Bridge at dawn.
• All Shades of Grey – a fantastic collection of three films featuring young Muslims in North London, by Minou Norouzi - Read review here
• Adjudicator – a locally filmed Samurai action film shot in Clissold Park. By Lasco Atkins.
• Calling Home – documentary about a North London call centre. By Maria Eduarda Andrade and Marcelo Starobinas.

Two-Minute Films included:

• Granny Story – compelling animation from 12-year-old Montell Amadi, who invented the Granny character in a comic he created in 2008. Montell is interested in comics and likes to make things out of paper, cardboard and other materials. Since April 2008 he has been taking part in a creative mentoring scheme, launched by Cubitt Education.
• Head Lines – film about two mannequins from Archway filmmaker Miranda Howard-Williams.
• Dementia – a tragic tale of two zombie lovers in Clissold Park, directed by James Roberts.

Three films were awarded £100 cash prize.

There was also a screening of the exhilarating Oscar-winning documentary, Man On Wire, which tells the incredible story of Philippe Petite’s death defying tightrope walk between New York’s Twin Towers, followed by a Q&A session with the film’s producer, Simon Chinn.

Successful Independent Films Selection followed in the Hideaway Bar – a punchy selection of surprising and moving films by independent filmmakers carefully selected from international entries.

There were further screenings at the Big Day Out in Whittington Park, (Saturday 4 July) showing a selection of short films by independent filmmakers included Toast – in which a man’s perfect life of synchronisation comes crashing down, directed by Steve Hammal.

FREE OUTDOOR SCREENING: AFRO-SAXONS (2008)
Directed by Rachel Wang and Mark Currie. Chocolate Films.

This warm, funny observational documentary follows the stylists at four hair salons as they prepare for the UK’s biggest Afro-hair competition, delving into their lives showcasing their skills.

Venue: Landseer Gardens Landseer Road  N19

‘Impossible to watch it without a smile on your face’ Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian.