There is one early West London film studio which is largely forgotten - Isleworth Studios. From 1914 to the early 1950’s, Worton Hall Studios in Isleworth, played a vital role in the development of cinema from silent film to talkies, from early black and white hand cranked cameras, through to 35mm glorious colour. Britain’s early film moguls, Bertie Samuelson and Alexander Korda set up a factory here to rival Hollywood. The great names of cinema came here to work: Buster Keaton, Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn and John Huston. As young actors, Richard Attenborough, Richard Burton, John Gielgud, David Niven and Bernard Lee made some of their earliest films in Worton Hall. Paul Robeson worked here, as did HG Wells, Winston Churchill and even Kenyan President, Jomo Kenyatta, who played an extra when he was a student in London. English actresses Diana Dors, Irene Handl and Anna Neagle established themselves as national treasures following their work in Worton Hall.
What we'll deliver:
- Create a 1920s film location set for visitors to have an interactive experience of a film set filmed in black and white
- Formalise the Town Team
- Hold an exhibion of film memorabilia
- Host a festival of rare black and white films made in Isleworth
- Showcase modern films also shot in the local area such as Bend it Like Beckham, The Madness of King George, etc
- Guide visitors to film locations used for films such as ‘The African Queen’ as part of film heritage tour
- Offer talks and masterclasses by film historians who were actually involved in the making of some of these films.
Why it's a great idea:
It will rejuvenate an area where levels of footfall have been decreasing over time, leading to negative impact on businesses and the community. The Festival has the potential to encourage large amounts of domestic and international film tourism, leading to greatly increased footfall and a high profile for Isleworth as an attractive destination to visit, live and invest in.
Steps to get it done:
- Appoint a Festival Director and recruit volunteers
- Instate local businessman Richard Belfield, a multiple award winning producer and director as Festival Chair
- Investigate sponsorships from local businesses and others
- Secure partnerships and supporters for the festival including BAFTA and BFI
- Secure venue and film material
- The Town Centre Manager and Inspiring Isleworth, the emerging Town Team, to co-ordinate project and governance
This Festival has the potential to grow and become an annual event, covering other locations in the area. The festival has the potential to develop further additional heritage and film tourism activities in the borough.
We are currently applying for a Heritage Lottery Fund bid to work with young people on film heritage and filmmaking. The output of this will be a film which will be screened at the festival.
In 2014 a programme of films in Hounslow's parks was established and we are discussing potential linkages with this and opportunities to attract further sponsorship and footfall.
The festival has the potential to attract an international audience from Hollywood and India, who are fascinated by the creation and birth of what is now the world’s leading art form.
