16mm abstract film-making workshop with BEEF artists Melanie Clifford & Matt Davies


For International Women’s Eve 2026, BEEF is taking inspiration from one of experimental cinemas’ under-recognised early pioneers: Mary Ellen Bute.

Founder in the 1930s of independent production company Expanding Cinema, Bute’s aim was to break away from the narrative, figurative, and industrial forms of mainstream cinema, and use film and animation techniques to visualise music - expanding the possibilities of audio-visual integration in her abstract ‘Seeing Sound’ films.

Watch her 1934 short Rhythm In Light:

https://lightcone.org/en/film-10346-rhythm-in-light



The workshop:
Exposing, developing and editing loopable lengths of black and white 16mm film, we will create ‘Absolute Film’ loops with light, reflection and movement, exploring techniques pioneered by Bute. 

We will then project these loops as visual music to animate BEEF’s International Women’s Eve gig at Kit Form: Popon - PanOrama - Annie Gardiner


Max 8 participants | All materials and equipment included | No experience needed

Bring an apron / old clothes, as we will be working with developer and fix in the darkroom.

*Projecting with us in the evening is optional. Your workshop ticket includes free entrance to this amazing gig from 7pm at Kit Form.

BEEF,Jamaica Street Studios,
37-39 Jamaica St,BS2 8JP

Contact: [email protected]

Entry requirements: 16+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio — Read more — Read less