REFRAMING THE FRAME: Interpreting the Past, Present, and Future of Black Film in Bristol

As we look ahead to Watershed Wild and Generous, we are also looking back into our past.

We know we need to face head on the tensions of balancing the preservation of a heritage asset with future sustainability. We want to connect with Watershed’s past and its possible futures. 

Our definition of heritage includes not just the physical building, but the heritage and culture of the communities who have and will continue inhabit and animate it. We’re interested in surfacing:

• oral histories of people’s stories and memories of Watershed
• cultural traditions that have impacted or been impacted by Watershed through storytelling
• celebrations and events that mark a specific moment for a community that either happened at Watershed or were delivered in partnership with the organisation
• speculative futures that represent a vision of Watershed, for our communities in Bristol and beyond for the next 100 years 

Commissioning Professor Shawn Sobers to deliver this work has been a brilliant opportunity to explore narrative reframing, storytelling and speculative futures all connected to Watershed’s heritage. Shawn’s research and subsequent report “celebrates the creativity and resilience of Black filmmakers, curators, and audiences who have shaped Bristol’s cultural landscape for over four decades”.

The report lays out a plan for phase two of this work. As we move into the delivery phase of Watershed Wild and Generous we will be expanding our heritage scope to include heritage explorations with other communities who have played a pivotal role in the organisation.

We would like to thank and acknowledge all of the contributors to this project, named in the report. 

Read the report

This report has been supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players.