Taking our Film Fest to Paulsgrove
Portsmouth Comic Con took its popular, magical movie day events out into the community this week, to St Michael and All Angels Church in Paulsgrove.
After a slightly frantic start to control the light coming through the church’s impressive windows, families were treated to screenings of the classic films, Tangled and Trolls with a range of craft activities, games, toys and snacks to enjoy.
It was the first time that the school holiday Film Fest events have taken place outside of Portsmouth Guildhall. The events which form part of a wider range of fringe activities for Portsmouth Comic Con are designed to engage the community throughout the year beyond the main Con in May, in an affordable and accessible way.
Organisers of the Film Fest events for Portsmouth Comic Con, Georgia Ockenden and Millie Holloway said, “After delivering successful Film Fest events at the Guildhall for the last 2 years, we wanted to take Comic Con out into the community and bring some joy to families on their doorsteps! There is a perception that events and activities don’t always reach all areas of Portsmouth, so we wanted to break down some of those barriers and develop partnerships that will help us to better engage in all areas of the city! After weeks of rain, the bright sunshine through the windows was a challenge but everyone pulled together to ensure that the show went on!”
Seekers Create, a social enterprise who use simple creative tools to help people connect, contribute, and feel part of their community (and who have previously been involved in a number of community projects in Paulsgrove), joined with the Comic Con team to deliver a fun and interactive doodle ‘Tangled’ tower and ‘Trolls’ hut.
Founders & Directors of Seekers Creates, Clair Martin and Steve Baker said “Great community events should happen right on your doorstep, in places where people feel they belong. We loved being part of this creative collaboration with Portsmouth Comic Con and St Michael’s Church, bringing families together through creativity, imagination and fun. This is what can be achieved when creative partners bring together their assets and capabilities and put communities at the heart of what they do.”
The true Paulsgrove landmark of St Michael and All Angels Church was the chosen location for the Film Fest events for its central location and pivotal role in the Paulsgrove community.
Father Hugo Deadman said, “We want St Michael’s to be right at the heart of our community so were absolutely delighted to welcome the Comic Con team and our friends from Seekers Create to St Michael’s – and really enjoyed having them, not least for the very tasty popcorn!”
An attendee to the event commented “The arts and crafts set up was great and everyone persevered and worked so hard to overcome the issue with the film – we had a really fun time, and it was just so nice to have something local that we could do in half term.”
The Film Fest fringe events took place as the Super Early Bird booking period for May’s Portsmouth Comic Con comes to an end at midnight on 31st October, after which time the entry prices will rise. Portsmouth Comic Con which will take place at Portsmouth Guildhall on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd May 2027 presents the best in comic, film, TV and pop culture entertainment in the largest family-friendly Comic Con of its kind.
A guaranteed sell out event, avoid disappointment and get your tickets now at: www.portsmouthcomiccon.com