Chester Film Co-op

FILMMAKERS
MAKING FILM

The Chester Film Co-op is currently on extended hiatus.

A lack of interest post Covid + work & other commitments has made it difficult to continue with the Meetups.
BUT, never say never. Hopefully, we can revisit them again.
So fingers-crossed, ``It's not goodbye, it's see you later``.

Doing what Co-ops do best...


...Cooperating! The Chester Film Co-op is an endeavour dedicated to bringing the Filmmakers of Chester & the surrounding area together, to meet, share ideas & make films.

The Co-op welcomes Filmmakers of ALL abilities & experience!

Director, DoP, Actor, Musician, Sound, Design, Want to make your first film, Steven Spielberg? ALL are welcome.

We really can’t stress this enough!

A few Photos to peruse

A potted History

co-op-exterior-blackwhiteThe Chester Film Co-op was originally set up in 2013 by the late artist Janet Hodgson & housed on Northgate Street in two studios at the side of the old Odeon building (see picture). The Co-op was a place where local, national and international artists, as well as graduate students and emerging filmmakers, could spend time producing, making, researching, thinking, showing and commissioning film and video works.

We were initially funded by the RE:NEW project to bring awareness to the redevelopment of Chester’s old Odeon Building, when the major structural works commenced to turn it into the ‘STORYHOUSE’ – a cultural centre for Chester, the Co-op was homeless & funding ceased. Film Chester was formed between existing members of the Co-op, keen to keep the Co-op running as well as branching out into other aspects of the filmmaker scene in Chester.

Now run by the board of Film Chester, The Chester Film Co-op has evolved to be a collective of filmmakers from the Chester & surrounding area, who meet up every month to discuss ideas & projects that they’re working on as well as providing the opportunity to screen their work to the group. The Co-op has facilitated a series of creative networking nights, social events, independent film screenings, industry-standard equipment demonstrations, visual installations and creative workshops as well as organising various ‘pop-up’ screenings across the City, showcasing local talent and supporting the Chester film community.

watergatesThroughout 2016, the Co-op met up at the Share Shop on Northgate Street, near the new Storyhouse building. Since Jan 2017, meetups have been taking place at The Watergates Bar on Watergate Street. Check out the events links at the bottom of this page for details on the dates and locations of forthcoming Chester Film Co-op events.

Get involved!


We don't bite. Promise!

Filmmakers often don’t get in the same room with other filmmakers, yet the best way to collaborate is to network & discuss ideas with other similarly minded people. We  know that there are filmmakers out there in Chester but they’re quite possibly not aware of each other. The Co-op is a way to help the burgeoning filmmaking Community of Chester (green or experienced) to come together to create great film in the City, as well as making new friends and industry contacts.

Events etc...


Find out what's happening & when

Previous Events & Meetups...

The Co-Op meets each month, usually on a Thursday evening in the second half of the month. Here's a run down of some of what's gone down at the most recent meetups...

Meetup, October 2022

Another great meetup. We screened several things, from a horror teaser, to a fully written & produced original orchestral scene-score, & even a few more things in between. 😁 Oh, and a sneak-peek on a book detailing how to go about Freelancing. Ƕ...

Meetup, September 2022

Pictures from September's Chester Film CO-OP Event at The Watergates Thanks to Peter Simcoe for the brilliant 3D / VR demonstration. Felt like we were revisiting the 80's with those 3D glasses though! Thanks everyone for coming and we look forward to seeing...

Meetup, August 2022

Pictures from August's Chester Film CO-OP Event at The Watergates Thanks everyone for coming and we look forward to seeing everyone for our next event later this month! Please feel free to tag yourself in any of the images! Photographs by Adam Bowler/ Adam...

Meetup, July 2022

Pictures from July's Chester Film CO-OP Event at The Watergates Thanks everyone for coming and we look forward to seeing everyone for our next event later this month! Please feel free to tag yourself in any of the images! Photographs by Adam Bowler/ Adam Bo...

Meetup, June 2022

Just a quiet one this month due to the Train strike No screenings, no gear to have a play about with - however, it was nice to sit with a select few peeps & simply chew the fat about filmmaking (both Professional & Amateur), over a couple of drinks. Not en...

Meetup, May 2022

Pictures from April's Chester Film CO-OP Networking Event at The Watergates It was our first event since February 2020 and what a comeback it was! Was great seeing a few of our regulars as well as a Scriptwriters Group, a couple of Actors and Photographers!...

Upcoming events

There are currently no planned events in the near future.
If Meetups are restarted, they'll be listed on the Facebook page (Link below).

Go HERE to see the list directly on Facebook.

Contact the Co-op


We tend to be most active on our Facebook page, where we  post a mix of local film news, along with some wider film industry snippets, gossip, equipment reviews & funding opportunities e.t.c…

Drop us a line via Facebook Messenger & we usually pick it up pretty quickly! 🙂

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    WHERE WE HANG

    Meetups are currently hosted at The Watergates Bar.
    (Watergate St, Chester, CH1 2LB)