A Day to Remember: The Launch of The School House Cinema Club, Hilltown

The launch of the School House Cinema Club at Hilltown Hall on 8th March was an event to remember. As part of the BFI Spotlight initiative, this exciting new venture brought together a rich programme of locally made films, award-winning shorts, and a poignant Irish feature, marking a fantastic start to what promises to be an exciting new chapter in community cinema.

The Set-Up: A Perfect Day for a Movie Marathon

Arriving at Hilltown Hall on what turned out to be the warmest and sunniest day of the year so far, I couldn't help but think, ‘Who would want to sit in a dark room all day watching films with the sun shining outside’? But as I began setting up for the day, I was pleasantly surprised by the arrival of Castle Stage Hire, who had come to set up a cube blackout surround to create the perfect cinema experience. A lovely touch from Martina!

Just as I began to unpack my gear, panic struck—I'd left my laptop at home, which had all of the films for the day's programme. Cue frantic calls to Kate (my wife) and arrangements to collect. Martina, ever the lifesaver, offered to meet Kate halfway, and just in time for the doors to open to the public, I had everything set up and ready to go! Panic Over!

Guests Arrive for an Unforgettable Day

As guests started to arrive in droves, they were greeted with glasses of sparkling wine and a delicious selection of cheese and charcuterie, artfully arranged by our local artisan food supplier. The air was filled with chatter as people excitedly picked up flyers for the next few months of programming, and our team had the chance to meet and mingle with the press for a group photo to mark the occasion.

As the crowd shuffled into their seats, a little swell of pride hit me—Hilltown’s about to do something special. You could feel the buzz in the air. Its clear this town’s ready for a fresh chapter in its cultural story, and I’m all in to see how The School House Cinema Club is going to take shape in the next few months.

Local Filmmakers Showcase: The Heart of Our Community

The Local Filmmakers Showcase kicked off the event, highlighting the incredible talents of filmmakers in our community. We were delighted to screen Back from the Booley, a captivating documentary exploring the history and tradition of the Booley Fair. This film, which has been selected by Northern Ireland Screen and The Nerve Centre for a unique pilot project Northern Ireland Now, is a combination of contemporary footage and archive material, capturing key moments of the fair and the stories of the people of Hilltown.

We followed this with the remarkable From the Mournes to the Rockies: A Fantastic Journey, a short documentary created by Rathfriland Regeneration that tells the incredible tale of Catherine O’Hare, a woman who made the perilous journey to the goldfields of British Columbia while pregnant and with three children in tow. This film is a tribute to her life and her tireless campaign for education.

We were also proud to showcase Moneydarragh Hub’s short film documenting their talented local weavers, a project that highlights the dedication and skill of the people of Moneydarragh. These films are a true testament to the talent and creativity that exists in our small communities.

Thanks to our outstanding outreach programme partners, including Elspeth Vischer from The Nerve Centre, Bronagh McAtasney from Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive, and Laura Aguilar; Lecturer in Cinematic Arts at Ulster University, these local stories are being brought to life for new audiences. It’s so important to document and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of small, rural communities, and film offers the perfect medium to capture and preserve these stories for future generations.

The Irish Goodbye: A Moment of Laughter and Heart

After a short break we segued straight into the next screening of the day; An Irish Goodbye, the Oscar-winning short film that went down an absolute treat with the audience. The film had us all laughing out loud and reflecting on the complexities of life and loss.

Unfortunately, our guest of honour, actor from the film Seamus O’Hara, was unable to attend. Unexpectedly his parents Stephen and Annette stepped in and shared delightful anecdotes about Seamus’s rise to stardom. Stephen gave us a glimpse into Seamus’s childhood, recounting how he was destined to be an actor even at a young age. Seamus’s love of Hamlet at just seven years old and his early days of directing his peers during playtime painted a picture of an actor born to perform.

Stephen also regaled us with stories of Seamus’s trip to the Oscars, where he found himself rubbing shoulders with Hollywood royalty. Hearing about his experiences navigating the glamour and excitement of the event was a humorous and heartfelt experience—Stephen’s infectious storytelling felt like a best man’s speech, filled with pride, laughter, and a deep sense of love for his son.

That They May Face the Rising Sun: A Poignant End to the Day

Last but not least we moved onto our feature presentation for the day as guests continued to come and go, a dedicated group remained, immersed in the final screening of the day—That They May Face the Rising Sun. This 2023 Irish film, directed by Pat Collins, is an adaptation of John McGahern’s novel of the same name. The film captures the rhythms of everyday life in rural Ireland and offers a quiet, poetic reflection on memory, community, and the passage of time.

Much like the Hilltown community, the film is set against the backdrop of a rural Irish landscape, surrounded by farmland and rolling hills, where family and friendship are at the heart of life. Shot around Gable Mountain near Cornamona, in Co. Galway, and on nearby Inishdoorus, the film mirrors the very essence of the community we live in - close-knit, supportive, and rooted in the land and each other.

It was the perfect way to close out a day filled with such variety and emotion. The parallels between the film’s depiction of rural life and the atmosphere in Hilltown were not lost on the audience, many of whom reflected on how the film’s themes of community, family, and connection resonated deeply with their own experiences. Even hearing people chatting about local occurrences, recent deaths or the closure of the local butchers felt like an extension of the films script.

A Day to Remember

All in all, this was an incredible and well-received programme of films that showcased the very best of local filmmaking, alongside a multi-award-winning Northern Irish short film and a successful, highly praised Irish feature. This marathon of films was expertly curated by Hilltown Community Association, with special thanks to Sinead McAleavey and Martina Byrne from Clonduff Development Enterprise for their tireless work, and to the patrons of The School House Cinema Club for their support and passion in bringing this event to life.

Looking Ahead

The future of The School House Cinema Club is looking bright. In April, they’ll be screening the Irish-language film Kneecap, a high-energy comedy drama co-starring Michael Fassbender. In May, they’ll dive deep into the 1984-85 miners' strike with Strike: Uncivil War, a powerful documentary exploring one of the most defining moments in British industrial history. And in June, we’ll host a special screening of the iconic Sam Peckinpah western, The Wild Bunch—gritty, action-packed, and unforgettable.

With the Rath Cinema Club just 3 miles away and the hugely successful Rostrevor Aurora Community Cinema 7 miles south, Hilltown is in the heart of a vibrant and growing community cinema scene—a true Orion's Belt of film and culture in South Down.

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and helped bring this day to life. It’s an exciting step forward for cinema and culture in Hilltown, and we can’t wait to continue this journey with you all!

The best is yet to come…