Students from Carlisle College of the Arts are reflecting on the 25-year history of Keswick Film Festival in a new exhibition at Rheged.
Since 2013, students from the UAL foundation diploma in art and design course have produced work based on films in the festival programme, creating artwork, costumes and installations.
For 2025, they have turned their attention to the festival’s 25-year history.
In Silver/Splice, which will open on February 14, students have selected iconic films and genres to interpret and display in Rheged’s Community Gallery, just before the Film Festival opens on March 6.
Course leader, Paul Taylor said: “This is a brilliant opportunity not only for students to display their work but also to experience the demands and deadlines of the workplace.
“There is not much time between the programme being announced and the opening date for the exhibition – to go from blank canvas to fully formed artwork in that time is an amazing achievement.
“The challenge this year has been to produce an exhibition that does justice to this fabulous space – and I think they have pulled it off superbly.”
Festival director Ian Payne said: “Every year in our decade-long association with the college, I have been inspired by the way that the students have captured the essence of the films we have screened.
“To have them work on the history of the Film Festival is a real privilege and I would urge people to visit and see for themselves – we have a huge depth of talent here in Cumbria. I would also like to express my thanks to the team at Rheged for hosting the exhibition.”
Claire Logan-Stephens, Rheged’s head of community and programming, added: “Keswick Film Festival is always a highlight of our year and this year we are screening five films from around the world over the Festival weekend. Having the students’ work on public display will be a great addition to the experience.”
Rheged will be using their giant screen to show films from the festival, including The Monk and the Gun, by the director of the stand out hit from 2023, Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom.
