Leeds Independent Film History
Welcome to the a series of blog posts sharing research from LIFF programmer Alice Miller into the history of independent film exhibition in Leeds. Focusing on several pivotal moments, such as the formation of the Leeds Film Group, the emergence of arthouse cinemas in Leeds, and the establishment of the Leeds International Film Festival, the research investigates the practice and development of independent film exhibition in the city.
As we approach the 40th edition of the Leeds International Film Festival and the 400th anniversary of the city of Leeds, these blogs hope to shed light on a vital strand of our film culture and heritage.
About the Author
Alice Miller is a WRoCAH funded PhD researcher and film programmer. She is currently writing her thesis on the history of independent film exhibition in Leeds, and is based in the Centre for World Cinemas and Digital Cultures at the University of Leeds. In 2018, she joined Leeds International Film Festival as a programmer and for the 2019 edition of the festival she programmed Mother Cutter: Women Who Shaped Film, a retrospective season celebrating the work of women editors. In 2019 Alice took part in the Locarno Industry Academy, held at the 72nd Locarno Film Festival, and in 2018 she completed the ICO’s Cultural Cinema Exhibition course. She is passionate about community-led film exhibition and helps to organise pop-up film screenings in various spaces across Leeds, as well as the annual DIY film festival Scalarama.
