AND NOW FOR SOMETHING EXTRA SPECIAL... THE WINDSOR FESTIVAL

"Windsor" - It makes me think of two things... But this post has nothing to do with Babs losing her bra (cue Carry On-whistle noise), or dear old Liz on a throne covered in Corgi hair, but rather Arvo Pärt. Yes - that Arvo Pärt, the Estonian who's achieved a pinnacle of success that most composers have to die before they achieve.

'Pärt Visual' is an extra special event. Really. And probably one of the most exciting projects that Ben Barton's Roundeye films have been involved with. A brand new cut of Uphill for Jesus has been shortlisted for this film competition, part of this year's Windsor Festival.

As the films are projected in the cinema, they will be accompanied by live choral music from the Windsor Festival Singers.

Now in it's 40th year - the Windsor Festival brings together music, literature, film, walks and tours around the Queen's favourite castle and its environs.

The Pärt Visual event is being held at The Firestation, Windsor's newest arts space, offering an exciting line-up of events including cinema, live music, theatre, comedy, workshops, dance and exhibitions.

Here's the official blurb:

Pärt Visual is a very special performance and screening. We asked independent filmmakers to submit films to accompany choral works by celebrated Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, and these are the beautiful and breathtaking results. The evening’s films are accompanied by live performances by The Windsor Festival Singers and followed by the announcement of Critics Choice and Audience Award.

BUG-A-BOO - WE'RE BACK AT THE QUICKFLICK FILM FESTIVAL

Connecting artists, sharing creativity, blending cultures... Quickflick is a monthly film festival which occurs simultaneously in some of the world’s creative capitals, including London, New York, Berlin, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Mumbai, Tokyo, Tel Aviv and Amsterdam. In a party atmosphere, directors screen and share their latest creations relating to a global theme that has been collectively chosen.

It's been a year, but we're bucked-up to be appearing at the festival once more, as Ben Barton's film 'Insects' - with a super-duper soundtrack provided by Robert Harris - will be exhibited this Wednesday 23rd September in London's Roxy Bar and Screen. Quite fitting for festival's theme of 'bugs' with the technical requirement of 'macro' methinks.

We're abuzz with excitement. Honest. No - we really are.

GETTING READY FOR GETTING READY

At long last, we've just finished shooting the latest Roundeye film, called 'Getting Ready'.

It's all the same team - Benny Barton directing, Jennifer Harris as the model, Scott Gibson as production designer, and Mark Vanstone on title and artwork design.

This super 8 opus harks back to the days of old Hollywood, and is our most elaborate production yet, filmed in the vintage dressing rooms of Chatham's Brook Theatre.

Here's a sneaky peek, just for you...

SZEGED 2009 - HUNGARY LOVES ELLEN

We're no stranger to the Szeged Super 8 Festival, which definitely sits in the Top Five Super 8 fests in the world (last year our film-poem Uphill for Jesus was premiered there). And while we're on it, Ellen Love is no stranger to the beautiful baroque country of Hungary either - as Ben Barton's Roundeye film The Return of Ellen Love was premiered in Budapest this May...

Now in it's eighth year, the Szeged Festival keeps getting bigger and better - rumour has it that several hunded films (from no less than five continents) were submitted this time around... So when the Competition programme was announced earlier today, it was a great surprise to see that Ellen Love is included!

Our film will be screened exactly one year to the day as last year's festival - 11th September. And quite fitting for our spooky lass, Ellen will be part of the late evening showing, beginning at 9pm. For the low-down with the hoedown and all the nitty-gritties, see the festival website.

SOUP AND CINEMA IN LEEDS

We're happy to report that Ben Barton's little-seen Roundeye gem Scott's Garden will be screening at the Project Space Leeds on Wednesday 16th September.

It's part of the unique Soup & Cinema night - one of the Town and Country events, a series of collaborations between Project Space Leeds and the Harewood House Trust, exploring issues surrounding the urban and the rural.

PSL [Project Space Leeds] is an independent contemporary art space, staging exhibitions across all art forms by artists from the UK and abroad. PSL occupies 500 square metres of ground floor exhibition space at Whitehall Waterfront in the new West End of Leeds, just five minutes' walk from the train station.

SOUP & CINEMA

Wednesday 16th September, 6pm-9pm

Tickets £4, places are limited so please book in advance

Making a meal out of the fresh produce from Hortuseum, our in-house greenhouse, PSL invites you to share a soup supper before sitting down to an evening of artists' films.

BYOB (bring you own bowl, and spoon) - first come first served!

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