Screenings of Aardman Studio's Morph will be shown as part of the birthday celebration event
Highlights include screenings of Michael Moore’s award-winning TV Nation, which was commissioned by BBC TV Bristol, and two titles from Iain Canning, the producer behind The King’s Speech and Shame, who studied in Bedminster, Bristol.
Aardman fans can delve into the animation studio’s history with a chance to watch their varied array of productions, from the adventures of their very first character, Morph and Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer video (the most watched in MTV history) to their latest feature, Pirates – all of which were made in the South West capital.
“This has been a real voyage of discovery for us with constant exclamations of "I didn't realise that had been made in Bristol!" says Head of Programmes Mark Cosgrove.
Visitors enjoy The Ice Book, a miniature theatre inside a pop up book
In addition to 30 hours of screenings, the Pervasive Media Studio is showcasing the work of Bristol residents, including a Theatre Jukebox from Stand and Stare Collective which plays stories on demand instead of records.
There is also a chance to see nu desine’s revolutionary electronic music instrument and a miniature theatre experience in a paper pop-up book.
“The last thirty years have seen Watershed’s role as a creative hub in Bristol mature," reflects Managing Director Dick Penny.
“We jumped into digital production in the days before people had digital cameras and embraced the breakthrough of the internet, encouraging collaborations across disciplines you wouldn’t normally imagine together, like mobile technology and theatre, and gaming, dance and quantum mechanics.
"And we are excited about what the next 30 will bring, no doubt continuing to challenge our perceptions about art and technology, as they evolve and converge.”
- All events are free. Full programme available on the Watershed website.
