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Film Lab North to close

Like Minds (Dir. Gregory J Read). One of the films that passed through Film Lab NorthSad news as I’ve recently heard that Film Lab North, based in Leeds, is going to be shut down in the next few weeks. Given that it was one of the last bastions of Super16mm and 35mm in the area, giving filmmakers in the area the opportunity to shoot on film whilst getting invaluable advice from the friendly staff.

Recent credits included shows such as 'Vincent' and 'Casanova' and the (underrated) feature Like Minds. But the place has a 25-year history with former clients including the likes of Disney and NASA. Yes, the stories of secret agents delivering cans of 16mm – which only a few hours earlier had been orbiting the planet – and then sitting in a darkened lab as they were being processed may seem apocryphal. But when you see a signed picture of the Space Shuttle crew in their offices, and the willingness of the staff to tell the story to anyone who asks, you can tell how important Film Lab North has been to the cinematic history of the region – and indeed – the world.

Whilst similar labs will be available in London, it’s a shame that it forces more people to choose digital if they want to keep their production within the confines of the North. By having both digital and film available to filmmakers, the opportunity for experimentation allowed for people to work and experiment different formats and different ways to tell stories.

Similarly, it once again reinforces the stereotype that London is the only place where the ‘media’ can be situated. Recent productions such as The Damned United and the Red Riding Trilogy have shown that this area is awash with talent in both production and post-production. Yet the recent announcement of the closure of the Yorkshire TV studios and now Film Lab North will once again make it harder for talent in the Yorkshire region to be nurtured properly.

Farewell Film Lab North. It’s at least nice to know that many of the memories still remain on the big screen….