Monday 1st - Friday 5th March 2027
For our foreign residential project this year, we are going to Antwerp in Flanders region of Belgium. Film students have been asked to pitch an idea for a short film to be shot on location here.
Photography and Art students will have their own brief and opportunities to explore the many galleries within the city and region. We will be travelling on Train, taking the Eurostar from London St Pancras direct to Antwerp. This is something you may also wish to incorporate into the project.
Price: £425 (tbc)
Please pay deposit (£100) for this via Weston College shop, (link to follow), asap. The remainder can be paid in instalments. Please see us asap if need support with this, or have any questions.
Antwerp
“Is it Colin Farrell’s fault that Antwerp isn’t better known, or loved? Ever since the 2008’s In Bruges, that is the city that has cornered the market as Belgium’s quirky tourist destination, while the country’s actual coolest city flies under the radar. With a historic centre that’s a blend of picturesque streets and shopping heaven, Antwerp ought to be far better known. In size, population and cultural significance, it’s comparable to Edinburgh, and if you’re coming from London the train journey is an hour faster.” - I took the train to Antwerp, Belgium – here’s my guide to the city | Antwerp holidays | The Guardian
Screen Flanders
Photography, Art, Film, Fashion, Culture, Architecture
Why Rail ?
"We are facing a man-made disaster of global scale. If we don't take action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon."
~ Sir David Attenborough
‘Flying is the fastest growing cause of climate change. If aviation was a country, it would be the 7th worst polluter globally. Brits already fly more than the people of any other nation - twice as much as Americans.* Even if we take other steps to be environmentally friendly, one flight can completely wipe out all the other savings.’ https://www.flightfree.co.uk/why-flight-free
No Airport Expansion!
’We believe that the policies used to make decisions about airports’ expansion plans do not reflect the increasing climate emergency or the disruption caused to residents’ lives by increasing air traffic. Any planning decision on airport expansion needs to be informed by robust forecasts of the cumulative CO2 emissions from all UK airports.’ - Read more
Bristol Airport Expansion
Campaign groups inc. Bristol Airport Action Network have been resisting the airport's expansion plans since 2018), they have recently joined with Save Felton Common (a community group set up to save the threatened medieval common) to try and halt further expansion. See campaign
Albert
The Film Industry has recognised it also needs to ensure sustainable practice and ways to reduce its environmental impact. In UK Albert was founded in 2011, governed by an industry consortium, they support everyone working in film and TV to understand their opportunities to create positive environmental change. https://wearealbert.org/
Albert’s objectives:
1. To enable every part of the screen industry to eliminate waste and carbon emissions from production
2. To empower industry creatives to make editorial content that supports a vision for a sustainable future
As well as the environmental reasons, rail is a fun, scenic and convenient way to travel. You can see the connections, from your home to where you jump off the train in the heart of Antwerp…
‘trains in Europe are mainly electrified, with a recent push to supply them with energy from renewable sources, while those in North America use fossil fuels (often diesel). In Europe, trains are by far the best choice in terms of climate benefits, even if that’s not as true elsewhere.’ source