Lights, camera, action! Brighton & Hove Museums have rolled out the red carpet for a fresh wave of creativity, marking National Classic Movie Day with a series of short films crafted by the city’s young talents. Through the Young Producers Programme, part of the Days of Wonder initiative, these films are now lighting up the museum’s YouTube channel, offering a vibrant reinterpretation of Brighton & Hove’s illustrious cinematic heritage.

This project is a delightful homage to classic cinema, empowering the next generation to wield the camera and narrate their own stories. Collaborating with videoclub, Corridor, and the youth charity Esteem, 11 budding filmmakers, aged 16–24, delved into the city’s pioneering role in early cinema. With guidance from artists Louise Conway and Rosie Powell, and inspired by archival treasures from Screen Archive South East, these young creators have transformed historical footage into dynamic, social-media-ready shorts.

The result? A captivating collection of films ranging from clever re-edits of century-old clips to innovative green-screen mashups and personal storytelling. Each piece, lasting between 30 seconds to 2 minutes, breathes new life into the past, showcasing how history can inspire fresh perspectives and creativity.

Anchored at the Hove Museum of Creativity, this initiative is part of Brighton & Hove Museums’ mission to make collections more accessible and inclusive, especially for younger audiences. Esteem played a pivotal role, fostering supportive environments for participants to hone their skills in research, scriptwriting, filming, and editing.

The Young Producers’ work, titled “Changed Lens Productions: Brighton & Hove’s Film History Told by Young Creators,” is now available on Brighton & Hove Museums’ YouTube channel. We at Sawyer & Co love seeing local heritage come alive through youthful creativity. Why not check out these films and get inspired to explore more of what our vibrant city has to offer?

Image: Unsplash