Press Release as sent out 12th October 2011:

Cinemarché 2011:  a unique cinematic event to be staged in Scarborough Market

A group of film enthusiasts, artists and filmmakers are to stage a unique, free, one-day event in Scarborough Market.  The aim of Cinemarché 2011 is show short films made by artists from across the world that represent some of the most innovative and creative talent making films today.

John Oxley, one of the organizers, says:

“We are really excited to have this opportunity to show films in Scarborough Market – Cinemarché is a bit of franglais – a mangling of cinema and marché – the French word for market. We just like the idea of an event which could attract filmmakers and artists from across the world. We are thinking big, and why not!  Therefore we have selected a programme that we hope will amuse, move, inform, intrigue and entertain.  We hope that the regular users of the market will take some time to have a look at and enjoy these videos; we hope that people who are interested in artist’s film will come along to Scarborough Market Hall and enjoy the programme.”

One of the 25 films that will be shown is “The Futurist”, a short film by Emily Richardson, a London based artist. Commissioned by Lumen as part of imove, Yorkshire's cultural programme for London 2012, this film is a single 360-degree animated short that was filmed in 2010 in Scarborough's Futurist Theatre.  Richardson has used the building’s colourful history and sounds gathered from past shows to create a unique film that pays homage to film and cinema.  “The Futurist” has already been shown as part of the Venice, London, Nottingham and Moscow film festivals; Cinemarché 2011 will be the Scarborough premiere of this wonderful short film.

By way of contrast, Cinemarché 2011 will also premiere a "mash-up" documentary short by Paul Spencer about Scarborough electro-punk band Fuzzgun Sniper - "If you liked Anvil, this is for you, definitely not to be missed!" said John Oxley.

Cinemarché 2011 also wants people to use their smartphones to take part in a unique digital exhibition of videos.  You will need a smartphone (iphone, android, windows phone or blackberry) with a QR code reader installed on it.  These readers are free to download from the app store or the various marketplaces.  You will then be able to scan the QR codes that will be displayed around the Market.  The scanned code will take you to a video on the Internet; you will then be able to watch the video on your smartphone.  The QR-coded films will all address different aspects of human rights, a contribution to celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Amnesty International.

Kane Cunningham, one of the organisers says:

“We think this use of QR codes might be a world first for Scarborough.  This is a unique and exciting way to curate and exhibit videos – we don’t know if this has been done anywhere else. However what we do know is that film lovers are in for a treat. Its not often you can buy your meat and veg and watch a film from Egypt that anticipates the Arab spring.”

Cinemarché 2011 co-organizer Dr. Paul Elsam adds:

“This brand new Festival represents innovative use of public space, and we really hope it will attract new visitors to a historic and important building that is already busy with friendly traders. For years now Scarborough and North Yorkshire have hosted top film-makers attracted by the unique character of the region – we thought, why not have an event that actually shows great films? Cinemarché is, we hope, a big step towards a establishing a regular international film festival in Scarborough.”

Cinemarché 2011 is supported by Scarborough Borough Council, Scarborough Branch Amnesty International, Lumen, AGENCY - art, life, society, and Geodesic Arts.