That's the power of cinema! In this episode Cinema Steph and Stef from Comms discuss The Iron Claw, Pirates 4D and the gays upon the heath.

In this episode Cinema Steph and Stef from Comms are joined by Bristol-based film critic Nathan Hardie to talk highlights of the New Year.P.S.: Some film release dates have changed since the podcast was recorded. Head to the website for the latest updates.

In this episode Stef and Steph are joined by Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove to discuss their top for (or five) films of 2023.

In this episode Stef from Comms and Cinema Steph talk about vocal fry, an exciting Q&As Joanna Hogg and trying to record a podcast despite a helicopter flying overhead!

In this episode Stef from Comms and Cinema Steph figure out if there's a phone better than a BlackBerry, their top picks for London Film Festival, and talk to Andrew Kelly from Bristol Ideas about a new season centred on Berlin.

In this episode of Stef from Comms and Cinema Steph talk about what's coming up in September including Jurassic Park back in 3D, a new season inspired by the 4K restoration of Stop Making Sense, and making sense of Barbenheimer.Get your Not As Good As Jurassic Park t-shirt here.

In this special episode, Mark and Steph are joined by Stef Graham from Watershed's Comms Team and film writer Sean Wilson to discuss this year's Cinema Rediscovered.Together they discuss what they're most looking forward to watching, the changing significance of soundtrack in a film and putting the world to rights when it comes to promotional film stills!This episode is recorded and produced by Bernie Hodges.

Steph Read talks to Stef Graham from the Comms Team at Watershed and Queer Vision's Jason Barker about what's coming up during this summer including Cinema Rediscovered, Queer Vision Film Festival and Barbie.

This month Mark Cosgrove and Steph Read share their enthusiasm and thoughts for just a small selection of the films coming up this month at Watershed.There's searching for identity in Return to Seoul – a striking film for its incredible lead performance, for its subject of place and belonging and for its beautiful cinematic style. Influenced by this Steph talks about the season of Sunday films she has curated throughout May. All are intriguing tales of identity formed rather than found, rather than traditional coming of age films.Mark enthuses about being drawn into the different relationships, full of light and warmth, in Tunisian film Under the Fig Trees. A tale of camaraderie, sisterhood and the sharing of stories in a setting of implicit sensuality and naturalness.Then there is The Eight Mountains, an emotional journey of friendship and reconciliation with the past, in the beautiful and idylic Italian Alps.Followed by their thoughts on two restored Scorsese classics Raging Bull and Age of Innocence, highly recommended not only for their power and influence but also for the incredible work of legendary editor Thelma Schoonmaker. All rounded off by Mark and Steph's joyous reflections on the 40 year old classic Scottish film, Local Hero.May is a month with much to look forward to.

Mark Cosgrove (Cinema Curator) and Steph Read (Cinema Assistant) look ahead to a host of cinematic wonders from the old to the new. But what does cinematic even mean and why might some of the films showing in April be given that label? Find out more as they discuss the upcoming Pacification, 3 Colours Trilogy, Godland and a season of related films exploring individual's struggles with their inner spirituality.

Watershed's Mark Cosgrove and Steph Read find plenty of films to think about in March – new films from Chile, the Oscar season ahead and the first ever Oscar nominated film from Bhutan.

This month Mark Cosgrove (Watershed Cinema Curator) and Steph Read (Cinema Programme Assistant) are joined by Dr Reina Dennison, Professor of Film and Digital Arts and University of Bristol, and Harriet Taylor who runs SWITCH: an organisation bringing inclusive cinema to the big screen, with a focus on the trans/non-binary experience.They look forward to the month ahead at Watershed and discuss the upcoming Japan Foundation Touring Programme and Harriet's season of films Reflections and Refractions: Gender on Screen in film. Plus Mark and Steph share further films highlights for the month ahead at Watershed.

Mark Cosgrove and Steph Read share thoughts on a range of different types of cinema coming to Watershed in January - from celebrations of film to art activism.First up is mind-bending Cornish folk horror tale Enys Men which traverses isolation, memories, dreams, and fears – gorgeously shot on grainy 16mm film. Inspired by this Mark and Steph discuss their season of films A Woman on the Verge, wich locates Enys Men in a rich cinematic line of emotional journeys leading to transformation, redemption or renewal.Mark and Steph share a unanimous, general dislike of syrupy and emotionally manipulative Steven Spielberg. Yet for the first time for Mark, Spielberg's semi-autobiographical story of a young aspiring filmmaker, The Fabelmans, leaves him very much enjoying a really honest, engaging and personal story of cinema.And lastly up for discussion in this month's podcast is the stirring portrait of artist and activist Nan Goldin, focusing on her fight against Big Pharma. Mark and Steph talk about the unexpected insight into the artists own experience the film offers and the bigger question of patronage for the arts and the gallery as a space for activism and political debate.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, is joined by colleagues to share their filmic highlights of 2022 and to reflect on a strange year in cinema – the first full year since lock down.Mark is joined by Steph Read, Watershed Cinema Assistant and MA Curation student, and Film Programmer and Campaigns Manager Ti Singh.

This month our Cinema Curator explores all things Arcadia and beyond with musician / sonic explorer Adrian Utley and UWE MA Curation placement Steph Read.Mark discusses Adrian's creative process and later live performance of the score written by him and Will Gregory for Paul wright's archival experimental 2017 film Arcadia at St. George's and Steph's curated season at Watershed, Out of Arcadia, including Andrew Kotting's Gallivant and John Akomfrah's The Nine Muses.

This month Mark speaks with Andrew Kelly, Director of Bristol Ideas from 1993 - 2022, about the season he curated for Watershed this month as well as the new adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front.Overseeing multiple projects across Bristol during his time as director, including At-Bristol (now We The Curious) and Bristol Legible City. Andrew has curated a season of films, Fractured Paris, showing this month at watershed along with being an authority on All Quiet on the Western Front.Image credit: Evan Dawson

This month Mark speaks with Professor Andrew Spicer about his book; Sean Connery Acting, Stardom and National Identity, and the upcoming season at Watershed, Sean Connery: Beyond Bond.Andrew is a Proffessor of Cultural Production at University of West England in Bristol and will also be giving an illustrated talk and Q&A before the showing of The Hill. For more information visit: watershed.co.uk

This month Mark discusses The Films of Kinuyo Tanaka a season coming to Watershed in August with Dr Rayna Denison, professor of film at Bristol University and leading expert in Japanese cinema.Following the UK Premiere of Forever A Woman as part of Cinema Rediscovered 2022, Watershed will be screening new 4K restorations of Tanaka's films. After navigating a studio system of the 1950s that actively discouraged female directors, Tanaka made six ground-breaking features over the course of a decade, dismissing the passivity assigned to most female protagonists of the era and creating a small, radical oeuvre of progressive heroines.

Mark Cosgrove and guest co-host interview the curators behind this years Cinema Rediscovered festival, held across Bristol in July. With to interviews with Pamela Hutchinson and Mark Cosgrove on the strands they curated for this years Cinema Rediscovered.Cinema Rediscovered launched its first edition in July 2016, taking inspiration from the pioneering Il Cinema Ritrovato festival in Bologna, Italy with a distinctive Bristol twist. Featuring the finest digital restorations, contemporary classics and film print rarities, it’s a chance to see lesser known cinematic voices and dive deep into the legacy of revered filmmakers.For more information visit: watershed.co.uk/cinema-rediscovered

Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Sean Wilson, Filmic Season Curator and writer, take a deep dive into film soundtracks throughout history.Filmic is a season of 5 films curated by Sean to illustrate the ever changing landscape of film scores, they discuss the upcoming season and Sean’s recently released book, The Sound of Cinema: Hollywood Film Music from the Silents to the Present.Mark and Sean delve into the work from Alex North on A Street Car Named Desire, Bernard Herrmann’s infamous strings for Psycho, music legend Bob Dylan starring and scoring Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, Jerry Goldsmith’s chilling, Oscar winning score for The Omen and John Williams triumphant revival of the orchestral score for Superman.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, is joined by Steph Read, UWE MA Curation placement, as they look forward to the program of films at Watershed over the coming month.They discuss perspective in cinema and the presentation of childhood in Norwegian supernatural thriller The Innocents by Eskil Vogt. Also, with Doc’n Roll returning to Bristol this month they review the music documentaries screening for the festival including artists like; Karen Dalton, The Triffids and Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, considers how film-watching changes have accelerated with the advent of covid.He shares his thoughts on the prevalence of the blockbuster and its now predictable model of following success with repetition. And how independent cinema offers a real alternative, with Watershed championing film originality and diversity from across the world.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema curator, and Zoe Rasbash, Watershed's Environmental Emergencies Action Researcher look forward to Green Screen, coming to Watershed at the end of March.Green Screen is a day of free short films, plus a panel discussion and a family workshop – all of which celebrate filmmakers and their work to explore cutting edge climate research.Zoe shares her Lilith Archive film project and they discuss the importance of arts in making change and the role of culture in changing how we think and act, plus approaches to creating action. They also talk about how Green Screen might offer insight and positivity in what can often feel like an overwhelming disaster. And how through film and events there is the opportunity to come together and share creativity and thinking.

This month Dr Rayna Denison, Professor in Film and Digital Arts Bristol University, joins Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, to talk about Japanese Cinema.As they look forward to the upcoming Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme they share thoughts on the long time flourishing and prolific Japanese cinema industry, its funding and how the market for film works in Japan, plus current influences and genres.But most of all they discuss the highlights screening at Watershed this month; including psychological crime drama First Love, the absolutely gorgeous to look at Spaghetti Code Love and the pressures of daily life face young people and Shrieking in the Rain's journey into the dark underbelly of the Japanese film industry

A brief note from Mark Cosgrove, Cinema Curator, ahead of January 2022

For the last podcast of the year, Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, shares his own experience of cinema – both personal and professional.As part of a book of essays, Opening Up the Magic Box, Mark was asked to reflect on the role of cinema in his life. Mark's essay, A Life Cinematic – the Early Years, presents a 10-year-old from the fringes of Glasgow enamoured with Cagney, Bogart and Wayne to the student years, and a first taste of selecting a film for others to see.

November's Cinema Podcast celebrates a return of audiences to the cinema, renewed partnerships through the fantastic Afrika Eye film festival, and a season of films and discussions challenging Myth and Masculinity in the Western. Mark Cosgrove is joined by Annie Mentor, director Afrika Eye Festival and Lola McKinnon MA Curation Student.Annie shares what Afrika Eye Film Festival is and what impassions it to explore multi-faceted Africa through film, culture and collaboration. Plus all the highlights from a rich programme of stories; of lives lived and lives imagined, created by remarkable filmmakers from Africa and the diaspora. Coming to Watershed 12-14 November.As part of her placement Lola shares a little about life as an MA Curation Student, but more about her season exploring the new generation of female filmmakers from all over the world challenging the masculinist mythologies of the Western. And breathing new life into a genre synonymous with fistfights, gun-slingin’ and tough, white men.

In October's cinema podcast Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, is joined by Lisa Harewood and Jonathan Ali from The Twelve30 Collective who showcases classic and contemporary films from the Caribbean and its diaspora. They discuss the Caribbean film scene and the tensions between looking to Hollywood and foregrounding the territories' own identities, the lack of independent cinemas and the challenges of screening films across multiple countries.Twelve30 Collective are also distributors of this month's screening of long-lost, Jamaican-set film No Place Like Home. Lisa and Ali share the films amazing backstory of its devastating loss for more than two decades; and its powerful, lightly fictionalised window into rural Jamaica of 50 years ago.

With screenings at Watershed now back up to 6 days a week a look ahead at September highlights coming up.Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, talks to Gary Thompson, founder of Cables & Cameras, about their Watershed takeover weekend at the end of September – Cables & Cameras Presents:INSPIRED. The weekend features a whole range of conversations, screenings and events that will explore Black/POC culture and talent both in front of and behind the camera.Mark is also joined by Adam Murray from Bristol Black Horror Club. Adam talks about his positive experiences of working with Gary and Cables & Cameras, his upcoming illustrated talk on the history of Black representationin horror films and behind the camera and why he is looking forward to Cables & Cameras Presents:INSPIRED.

A quick and summery August podcast from Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator introducing the upcoming The World of Wong Kar Wai season.Mark introduces the seasons and shares how the films have been restored and reworked; and celebrates finally being able to re-introduce audiences to the lush and sensual visuals, pitch-perfect soundtracks, and soulful romanticism of Wong Kar Wai's contemporary cinema.

In this month's podcast Mark Cosgrove (Watershed Cinema Curator) and Adam Murray (film programmer, critic, writer and broadcaster) look forward to Watershed's Cinema Rediscovered festival at the end of July – a celebration and re-framing of cinema's rich 125 year history.They share the strands and films they can't wait to bring to the big screen – screening in some cases for the first time in decades, if not ever in the UK.Mark's highlights include 1971: The Year Hollywood Went Independent, a programme of films exploring the essential contribution that women made to The New Hollywood era; when outsiders, independents and mavericks were welcomed into the mainstream. Plus the amazing background to The Story of a Three-Day Pass – a nouvelle vague infused film by young Black American Melvin Van Peebles made in Paris, never released in the UK and now restored to its former glory.Adam looks forward to Blue Collar, an uncompromising tale set in Detroit of three-working men; starring Yaphet Kotto as Smokey James alongside double trouble Richard Pryor and Harvey Keitel. Released in 1978 Adam discusses the extraordinary performances exploring race, unions and working class masculinity; and surely one of the greatest, grimy, opening scenes and soundtracks in a film ever.Finally Adam looks forward to launching his Bristol Black Horror Club at the festival with a screening of The Beast Must Die – a fun, camp, werewolf thrill-ride with a great soundtrack and a Black actor in a multi-dimensional lead role.

In June's podcast Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, chats with Ti Singh founder of Bristol Bad Film Club, author of Born To Be Bad: Talking to the greatest villains in action cinema and lead on the BFI Film Audience Network's New Release Strategy, based at Watershed.They talk about what makes a film so bad it's good, how baddies in films reveal so much about action cinema and Ti's work supporting independent films to reach a wider audience.And to finish they share their excitement for the great films coming up over June at Watershed, and look forward to an unexpectedly busy summer of independent cinema.

In May's podcast Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, is joined by Dave Taylor of legendary Bristol video shop 20th Century Flicks.They reflect on the year that forgot cinema, the autobiographical viewing habits of the shop's customers through lockdown, and a history of the shop – it opened in the same year as Watershed in 1982 – and how it has managed to endure.They also look forward to the return of cinema screenings in May at Watershed, and the shop's screening rooms, and the clutch of superb Oscar winning independent films arriving on the big screen very, very soon.

For April's podcast Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, is joined by film & music critic and broadcaster Adam Murray.They discuss Adam's love of horror and research for a season of horror films, hopefully screening at Watershed this Autumn, exploring identity and fitting-in – and their relationship to Black representation and the Black experience. Adam also shares the two films he is looking forward to seeing at Watershed when it re-opens in May.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, is joined by historian, writer and curator Edson Burton and Matchbox Cine producer Megan Mitchell.They share how their cultural life has changed and adapted over the last several months, and some of the things they have been enjoying and found themselves unexpectedly watching – New York Independent cinema, Tom Cruise films, Tik Tok and the Small Axe series.

With the Watershed building and cinemas still closed, Mark Cosgrove (Watershed Cinema Curator) talks with Watershed friends to share their recent small screen highlights from film and TV series old and new.Malaika Kegode – writer, performer, producer and Roger Griffith MBE – writer, producer, educator, social activist, consultant and CEO of Creative Connex – join Mark to share their recent film and television watching highlights from lockdown.Between them they discuss their recommendations for essential lockdown viewing, and reflect on the cultural resonances and rediscoveries they encounter along the way.

In January's short podcast Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, leaves 2020 behind and hopes that this coming year we can look forward to more regular screenings in the cinema and a return to the unique social experience that is at the heart of cinema.Mark shares films to look forward that would have screened in 2020 and a hint of plans and optimism in the air for 2021.

While the halcyon days of films being released into the cinema seem a distant memory and Watershed Cinemas were more closed than open, this month's podcast still finds a rich array of fantastic films to remember from 2020.Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, Tara Judah, Watershed Cinema Producer and Thea Berry, film programmer and producer, share their highlights of the year. Albeit some were only available through Watershed online and lacking in the convivial community of the shared viewing experience, they conclude there was still plenty to enjoy in film in 2020.

In November's podcast Mark Cosgrove (Watershed Cinema Curator) and Tara Judah (Watershed Cinema Producer) ponder and refute October's news of the delay in the new James Bond film and how, as reported by some newspapers, its a harbinger of the death of cinema.With cinema alive and well at Watershed, Mark and Tara share the films they are looking forward to in November. There are two films from Cronenbergs – a new restoration of the notorious Crash from David Cronenberg and Possessor from son Brandon Cronenberg. Crash was much attacked at the time, much to author J.G. Ballard's surprise as the novel was published 23 years earlier, even leading to statements in the UK parliament at the time and a life long ban from being shown in the London borough of Westminster. Mark and Tara retell the impact of this extraordinary 'depraved' sci-fi film at the time it was initially released and look forward to seeing it again on the big screen. Possessor shows that son Brendan has not chosen to break the Cronenberg mould too much – a near future sci-fi horror thriller that really gets under the skin – but he does so in his own distinctive way, offering a great chance to compare and contrast directorial visions.They then discuss debut feature Relic – a story of three generations of women haunted by their expectations of each other and the eldest's developing dementia. A beautifully explored allegorical, female directed horror film; and wonder whether in future years this recent period will be remembered as the era when female directors in horror came into their own.Tara and Mark then offer up some absurdity from distinctive Swedish director Roy Andersson, but are left divided. Is About Endlessnesss a masterful, Hopperesque painterly world of impeccable detail that reflects on the profound absurdity of life? Or an overly controlled, somewhat tedious, endless film that doesn't live up to the previous film outings from Roy Andersson? Only you can decide.With a few final recommendations from Mark and Tara for must sees, that's all for this month.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, welcomes Cinema Producer Tara Judah back from maternity leave to discuss their highlights for the month ahead and a packed programme of new films and cinematic opportunities.Mark and Tara share their thoughts on much anticipated new British horror Saint Maud; cliché free, debut feature Miss Juneteenth, with its incredible cast and focus on a mother and her daughter facing the wider issues of many African-American communities in the US; the reflective and cinematic Rialto in which a middle-aged family man undergoes a crisis of masculinity and sexuality; and the inspirational force of nature that is Greta Thunberg and the impact that her actions have not only on the world but on her personally, intimately portrayed in documentary I Am Greta.But there's more as the BFI London Film Festival comes to Watershed this month with 11 exclusive previews from the Festival and a programme of both cinema and virtual screenings, making the festival for the first time simultaneously available UK wide. Tara and Mark share their must-sees from the programme and acknowledge the choices and new ways of watching cinema that this new type of hybrid festival brings.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, shares the background to his thinking about the films he is putting on for Watershed's reopening in September, and shares upcoming highlights.With this century's version of mainstream cinema – in which the blockbuster is all – currently going through some serious contortions, he reiterates how there is more to cinema and film culture than Hollywood. And how that has led to an opening programme of films which speak to an essential cinematic quality.

This month we take a pause in our monthly podcast as we prepare for re-opening.We look forward to seeing you in the cinema again soon.

In July's podcast Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, looks forward to welcoming audiences back to Watershed in September – but wonders what films will be available and how different cinema going will be.Despite the uncertainty there are new film releases ahead and Mark shares some of the titles to look forward to and highlights two films in particular to look out for online this month.

In June's podcast Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, considers whether, when people talk of the acute challenges now facing the arts sector, whether film is included in that?When does film become art; and what is the relationship between film and commerce?Mark also looks forward to the upcoming Japan 2020 film season hosted on the BFI website, whilst still hoping that the real world value of film does not get lost on the way.

In May's cinema podcast Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, considers the existential crisis at the heart of cinema and film under the current situation. Delving into the past for insight, Mark wonders – what does cinema mean when there is no cinema?Also Mark shares his film picks for the coming month to help you cut through the current explosion of online film viewing opportunities.

In these extraordinary times which have seen Watershed close its building and cancel all film screenings, Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator and Thea Berry, Watershed Cinema Producer, share some of the immediate responses from the filmmaking community to the current situation and offer pointers to some of the films that are currently exciting them – films which are easily available online and more often than not free to view.

In this month's podcast Watershed Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove and Cinema Producer Thea Berry look ahead to a packed month with plenty to get your eyes and ears into it.March sees the start of Watershed's two month cinematic celebration Filmic. In this podcast Mark and Thea share insights, stories and anecdotes on the inextricable link between film and music through Filmic's two seasons of upcoming films – Era-Defining Soundtracks and FILM SC♀RES: Celebrating Female Composers.They also talk about some of the month's upcoming new releases from the stark and compelling The Painted Bird to unique Brazilian near future sci-fi Bacurau.

February maybe the shortest month of the year yet it contains a compelling wealth of cinematic joy, and a little bit of despair too. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Thea Berry, Watershed Cinema Producer share their recommendations and highlights for the month ahead.First up they discuss why the long anticipated, sensational, Palme d'Or winning comedy thriller Parasite, is just so good. Also much anticipated is Portrait of a Lady on Fire in which they say something really special happens in they way it tells female stories.Then they shine a light on Japan with highlights from the Japan Foundation season of films which search for happiness in Japanese society and prolific filmmakerTakashi Miike's brutal, bloody, and brilliantly over the top First Love.On to the fast fashion world of Greed starring Steve Coogan which Mark suggests could be called Carry on Capitalism – a laugh packed critique of capitalism, which still manages to pointedly highlight its inherent inequalities.They also recommend Mr Jones a story of journalism, truth and lies set in Stalin's Russia – a true story which influenced George Orwell to write Animal Farm.And finally there's Little Joe in which Thea and Mark find an unsettling, fascinating and though-provoking vision of a near future in which a new plant can lifts people's moods.

Mark Cosgrove, Cinema Curator and Thea Berry, Cinema Producer, plus guests, discuss our upcoming weekend of musicals exploring race, identity and politics – busting the myth that musicals are all just jazz hands and frippery.Mark and Thea also discuss their start of the year highlights including in February the brilliantly cinematic Portrait of a Lady on Fire and the totally unpredictable journey of Parasite.The year starts off though with the the rip roaring salty dog sea tale that is The Lighthouse, Jo Jo Rabbit's brilliantly satirical exploration of nationalism and fascism and Armando Iannucci's Dickens with a contemporary sensibility, in the hilarious The Personal History of David Copperfield.

Cinema Curator, Mark Cosgrove, and Cinema Producers Thea Berry and Tara Judah, share some of their stand out films of the year plus discuss the year in film – the films that didn't get the attention they deserved, the wealth of world cinema and strong British cinema in 2019 – and share their top 5 films of the year.

Festival season continues this month at Watershed as Mark Cosgrove, Cinema Curator, and Thea Berry, Cinema Producer, look forward to the eighth Afrika Eye Film Festival – bringing remarkable artists and filmmakers to Watershed and beyond; two films from UK Jewish Film Festival on Tour representing the best of contemporary Jewish cinema from around the world; two films from the London Korean Film Festival showcasing both the old and new of Korean cinema, and finally two films from the UK Green Film Festival which brings the very best environmentally themed films from around the world.Alongside all the festival fun Mark talks with MA Curating student Julia Ray about the value of being on placement at Watershed and We Are Here – a season of films and events she has put together that celebrate and portray positivity in Queer and LGBTQ+ communities.And to finish off Mark implores you to immerse yourself in Scorsese's latest masterpiece of power and control The Irishman.

This month's podcast discusses Shextreme – a film festival celebrating women in adventure and extreme sports – and how it gets behind the stories; how Scorsese gets the gang back together for The Irishman, Chris Morris' biting new satire The Day Shall Come, multi-layered, darkly comic film-within-a-film Chained for Life and a season of Weimar Sundays silent film screenings.There's a lot to see in cinema this month at Watershed.Mark Cosgrove, Cinema Curator, and Thea Berry, Cinema Producer, are joined by Dr Ruth Farrar, director of Shextreme Film Festival

Watershed Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove and Watershed Cinema Producer Thea Berry are joined by Encounters Film Festival director Rich Warren and Come the Revolution curator Liz Chege.Rich and Mark discuss how Encounters all started, the enduring appeal and popularity of short film and what to expect at this year's festival. Liz and Mark discuss The Last Tree and its themes, a unique Nigerian perspective and the notion of going home. And Thea discusses her two favourite new releases coming to Watershed – the accomplished, courageous and deeply moving Phoenix; plus tense, noir, thriller Rojo from Argentina.

Rife Magazine, representation on screen, Almodovar's latest, a cinematic Cornish treat and French summer holidays all feature in a look ahead to August in film at Watershed.Watershed Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove is joined by Asmaa Jama from Rife magazine.

Watershed's Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove and Cinema Producer Tara Judah share their upcoming highlights in film for July. From the fantastic snapshot of what's happening with restorations, archive and rarities that is the Cinema Rediscovered festival; to new releases such as the gothic horror Midsommar, Jim Jarmusch's dead-pan zombie comedy The Dead Don’t Die and the last film from feminist icon, pioneer and legendary French filmmaker Agnès Varda, Varda by Agnes.Cinema Rediscovered offers a great opportunity to dive a bit deeper into film culture and Mark and Tara's picks include a focus on the great British director Nick Roeg's incredible body of work from, Robert Bresson's rarely screened and highly under rated La Femme Deuce, a look at the influence of London's infamous Scala cinema which programmed both high art and low rent b-movies alongside each other, to the original cinema innovators of the Victorian era.

Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Tara Judah, Watershed Cinema Producer look ahead to June 2019 at Watershed Cinema with their own personal highlights from the month.Mark looks forward to Chilean director Sebastián Lelio's Gloria Bell – an English language remake of Lelio's own acclaimed 2013 film Gloria, with Julianne Moore as a divorced mother having a coming-of-age experience later in life. Both Tara and Mark highlight In Fabric – a visually rich, sensuous, surreal and funny story – and look forward to a season of brunches celebrating London's Scala cinema where In Fabric Peter Strickland’s directorial voice was moulded.Mark recommends new documentary about the life of super talented Argentinian footballer Diego Maradona and shares his thoughts on the director Asif Kapadia's compelling storytelling, whilst gently urging you, even if you are not a sports fan, to go and see this film.And to finish Tara shares her enthusiasm for the cinematic treat that is the beautiful and moving Dirty God – a modern tale of a young woman piecing her life back together after an acid attack.

This month Cinema Producer Tara Judah and Campaigns Manager Ti Singh focus on acclaimed French director Claire Denis' first english language science fiction film High Life. They discuss how the film explores the human condition, isolation and incarceration and talk about an accompanying season Lost in Space, which asks – what happens to humanity when you remove it from its context?Tara & Ti also look forward to Woman at War a warmhearted and utterly unique look at an Icelandic eco-warrior juggling environmental action and foster motherhood; and vibrant american film Madeline's Madeline that captures and explores the process, ethics and boundaries of acting.

Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Tara Judah, Watershed Cinema Producer, share their picks from April in cinema. The Sisters Brothers is first up and is a classic Western from French director Audiard. Then we're off to Glasgow for the toe-tappingly good Wild Rose and the story of one woman's dreams of singing all the way to Nashville. Next it's off to Italy for Happy as Lazzaro a magic-realist fable about modern Italy, greed and corruption directed by Alice Rohrwacher; a filmmaker that lights up your life with exciting cinema. Mark and Tara then look forward to Rafiki a ground breaking film about hidden love and the first Kenyan film to be selected for Cannes film festival.Finally ahead of a twelve film retrospective of Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda through April and May they share what it is that makes his filmmaking so unique and look forward to some of the films screening at Watershed.

Mark Cosgrove (Watershed Cinema Curator) and Tara Judah (Watershed Cinema Producer) share thoughts and insights on photographer turned filmmaker Richard Billingham's superb portrait of deprived 1980s Birmingham family life Ray & Liz; Out of Blue Carol Morley's unmissable adaptation of a Martin Amis novel; plus Swedish outsider, genre defying Border.In the second half of this extended podcast Mark is joined by Filmic co-curator Phil Johnson to share their highlights from this two month series of films, concerts and live performances and to discuss the what is it that, especially in Bristol, creates such an inextricable bond between film and music.

The focus this month is on filmmaker Barry Jenkins and his captivating new film If Beale Street Could Talk.Watershed Cinema Producer Tara Judah and Watershed Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove share their thoughts on what makes Barry Jenkins such a brilliant director and extraordinary visual filmmaker. They also share insight into Jenkins' key influences and his previous work as part of a short accompanying season of films – In The Mood for Barry Jenkins.

Cinema at Watershed in 2019 kicks off with scabrous wit and two period dramas, both with a modern feel and contemporary resonances.In January's podcast Tara Judah, Watershed Cinema Producer, and Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, talk about The Favourite and Colette amongst other film highlights for January. They also eagerly anticipate films coming to Watershed in February and beyond and look forward to another exciting year in cinema.

Reflecting on the 2018 programme Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Tara Judah, Watershed Cinema Producer, celebrate their Top 5 Films of the year and talk about the films that have stayed with them till the end of 2018.

November's Cinema podcast highlights just a few of this month's much anticipated new releases and a season of playful reflections on what it means to be a witch in film.This month Mark Cosgrove (Watershed Cinema Curator) and Tara Judah (Watershed Cinema Producer) are joined by MA Curation student Thea Berry to talk about Reclaiming the Witch. This season of films explores all manner of sorceress-on-screen outings to laugh at and wonder – why is it that some women were represented that way?Alongside this they explore a clutch of highly anticipated new releases from the likes of Japanese master filmmaker Koreeda with Shoplifters, artist turned filmmaker Steve McQueen's remake of 80s tv classic Widows, and much loved Mike Leigh's latest historical drama Peterloo. If that weren't enough they wave a flag for some of the must sees at Afrika Eye – a celebration of African cinema and culture which returns to Watershed this month.

Watershed's Cinema Podcast for October highlights two films that are trying to make sense of Europe's recent past, but in very different ways.Mark Cosgrove (Watershed Cinema Curator) and Tara Judah (Watershed Cinema Producer) focus on new film Utøya – a Norwegian, real-time recreation of the horrific attack by armed right-wing extremist Anders Breivik on 500 teenagers at a summer camp, that ultimately left 69 people dead. Mark and Tara discuss when is the right time for a film like this, how the film came to be and the role of film as a collective remembering.They also talk about Dogman, a dark and sometimes humorous depiction of a contemporary Italian community on the margins, which questions what it means to be Italian today. Further highlights include two more films that loosely sit within an ongoing women on film theme – Voyageuse and Make Me Up. The former offers a beautiful and poetic look at one woman's history and the latter a candied coloured artistry that picks apart contemporary feminism and art history. And finally look out for an event that explores Nicolas Cage and wonders how he succeeds in both the world of high octane action and art cinema.

Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove and Cinema Producer Tara Judah share their highlights and must see films this September at Watershed.They discuss the absorbing and sometimes confounding blurring of fact and fiction in three fantastic new films - The Rider, Skate Kitchen and Matangi/Maya/MIA. Enfant terrible and arch provocateur Gaspar Noe's new film Climax takes Mark completely by surprise, despite his low expectations, whilst Tara continues to revel in the singular vision of Agnes Varda's new film Faces Places, in which Varda embarks on a road trip like no other, to examine what it takes to make a meaningful piece of art.A season of films – Working Class Heroes – still provides much food for thought 50 years after their original release, with some of the most dynamic, subversive and radical films you could hope to see. And finally there is Pawel Pawlikowski's extraordinary Cold War which Mark and Tara already predict will be one of the films of the year, if not the decade.

August brings an embarrassment of cinematic riches gathered together under the broad headline of seriously playful, or indeed playfully serious, filmmaking.In this month's podcast Watershed's Cinema Producer Tara Judah and Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove revel in the highly inventive and unabashedly feminine 60 year filmmaking history of Agnes Varda, look forward to a preview of Spike Lee's latest film BlacKkKlansman alongside a retrospective season of Lee's films and work as one of the most distinctive and funny filmmaking voices in American cinema, plus they share just a few of their highlights from the month ahead.

This month's cinema podcast focusses on four highlights for July; two new films that explore religion – one a faith testing thriller and the other a rare insight into the complex nature of faith, family, duty and love; a completely absorbing slow cinema documentary that touches on universal questions through the minutiae of the New York Public Library, and a heartbreaking yet charming story of a mother and daughter who struggle to escape bullies.Plus Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove and Cinema Producer Tara Judah round up their quick picks of the month – from Queer Vision to Cinema Rediscovered, with a side order of iconic martial artist and cultural innovator Bruce Lee.

Cinema Producer Tara Judah and Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove discuss some of their June highlights in cinema at Watershed.Their picks include a film on the early life of a serial killer that they initially wondered why anyone would want to watch, a reissued classic that is still the only film by a female director to have won the Palme d'Or and a 200 year celebration of an archetypal monster.

Introducing some of the highlights in film coming up at Watershed this month – from the stylistic and outrageously bloody retribution of Revenge; the mesmeric and satirical post-colonial world of Zama; to our cinematic retrospective of revolutionary times fifty years ago.May's podcast introduces Watershed's new Cinema Producer Tara Judah in conversation with Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove to bring you a round up of the month ahead in film at Watershed.

As part of Filmic, April's podcast offers a sonic guided tour to the soundtracks of this month's upcoming film season, The Sound of Sci-fi.Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and film journalist Sean Wilson discuss how science fiction films are fertile ground for film score composers to develop their own sonic language, responding to subjects beyond our day-to-day comprehension. They play snippets from the soundtracks and discuss what makes them so compelling, otherworldly and successful.

At the start of Filmic 2018 – Watershed's annual exploration of the creative connections between film and music – this months podcast looks at some of the films coming up and the central role that music plays in film.Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and film journalist Sean Wilson discuss the essence of a good film score and how, citing examples of classic collaborations between directors and composers, music can enhance the emotional truth of a film.They also look forward to this month's season of suspense themed Sunday brunches and two live orchestra and screening performances of masterful scores with Jaws and Raiders of the Lost Ark at Colston Hall.

This month's season of films on 35mm film, from director Paul Thomas Anderson, leads Watershed cinema curator Mark Cosgrove to reflect on his own personal experiences of the film industry.As a film studies graduate in the 1980s his passion for film was not matched by any knowledge of how a film actually gets in to the cinema. Mark discusses both this fundamental naivety and the huge impact digital has had in recent years on the industry and looks forward to celebrating the work of director, and celluloid champion, Paul Thomas Anderson on 35mm through the coming month.

This first podcast of the year looks ahead to some of the film highlights of 2018.Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator is joined by Bristol based writers, critics and bloggers Tara Judah and Sven De Hondt to discuss some of their highlights in film to look out for in 2018.

An extended end of year podcast looking back at 2017 in film.Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator is joined by Bristol based writers, critics and bloggers Tara Judah and Sven De Hondt. Amongst the forty or so films they discuss they also reflect on what a strong year for independent film 2017 was, a new wave of British filmmaking talent, asian cinema successes and offer sometimes polarised views on their highlights and favourites of the cinematic year.

A season of films, and a family event, based on Japanese Animé are the topics for discussion in this month's podcast.Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, talks to MA Students Victoria Jones, Louise Milsom and Sebastian Peters about the University of West of England courses they are studying at Watershed; and the anime based programme they are curating and producing at Watershed as part of their studies.

October 2017's podcast focusses on the upcoming Festival of the Future City at Watershed.Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Andrew Kelly, Director of Bristol Cultural Development Partnership, discuss some of the themes and ideas from the festival, where cities are going wrong and right and the ills that effect modern cities.They also share some of their highlights from the discussions, debates, talks, interviews, walks and film screenings from the festival – which takes place from 16-20 October.

September sees the arrival of the 23rd Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival at Watershed. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, talks to Festival Director Rich Warren and Marketing Manager Jacqui Barr to find out more about the festival.They discuss why the focus on short film and animation, new innovations in filmmaking, what makes the festival so unique and highlights to look out for.

This month's podcast discusses all things family at Watershed and shares some of the highlights of Bugs on Film, our school holiday season of films and workshops though out August and into early September.So get your summer holidays started with a crawl into our fun family season celebrating all things miniature, as we get down amongst the undergrowth to explore the world of some of life’s tiniest creations – bugs.

The July podcast looks forward to Cinema Rediscovered – a chance to discover some of the finest new digital restorations, contemporary classics and film print rarities from across the globe where they were meant to be experienced – on the big screen.Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, talks about how Cinema Rediscovered came about, how it fits into the annual film calendar and shares his own must sees of the weekend.

In this month's podcast cinema curator Mark Cosgrove and film writer Tara Judah make the case for melodrama; and explore its heightened tension, searing emotions and progressive female characters.Also ahead of Watershed's first ever season of immersive experiences in virtual reality, Mark asks curator and producer Catherine Allen what is Virtual Reality. They consider how VR relates to film, what is it that is unique about this new art form and Catherine offers recommendations on how you can explore more VR at home.

To mark the centenary of the Russian Revolution Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator and Andrew Kelly, Director Bristol Festival of Ideas, discuss upcoming films and events in May.They talk about the part cinema played in romanticising revolution, the optimism of international socialism, and how some directors making films in a revolutionary context were seeking new forms of audience participation.

There is plenty to get your ears and eyes into in April as we celebrate the creative connections between film and music through screenings and performances as a part of Filmic.Mark Cosgrove, Cinema Curator at Watershed, talks about the initial inspiration behind Filmic, some of the past highlights and what to look forward to this month – including film season Celebrating Female Composers plus live performances of the scores to Under the Skin and Koyaanisqatsi.

A Taste of South Korean Cinema is on the menu in Watershed's March Podcast. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Sven de Hondt, independent film blogger and programmer discuss what it is about South Korean cinema that makes it so dynamic and unique. Ahead of a weekend of South Korean films in early March and new films later in March and April, The Handmaiden and Age of Shadows respectively, they discuss its culture of social critique and genre based filmmaking and how compeelingly it subverts standard tropes.

What is it about new film Moonlight that is so extraordinary? Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Edson Burton and Lize Chege from curators collective Come The Revolution, discuss this much anticipated new release. Listen to their thoughts on the film and why they see it as a gamechanger – a brilliant and bold statement about the art and craft of film.

A look ahead at some of the film highlights coming up in early 2017 at Watershed. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Sven de Hondt, independent film blogger and programmer, look forward to a rich year in cinema and share the films that they are looking forward to seeing on the big screen at the start of 2017.

This months podcast reflects on the year in cinema at Watershed and revisits some of the standout films of 2016. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Sven de Hondt, independent film blogger and programmer, pick the cream of the crop in independent and world cinema for 2016 and select their top 5 films of the year.

A round up of some of the fantastic films coming to Watershed over the next three months. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator and Sven de Hondt, independent film blogger and programmer, discuss film highlights from the recent Toronto and London Film Festival and how their faith in quality world and independent cinema has been restored.

Highlights and insights into Watershed's two-month long season Black Star, celebrating the range, versatility and power of black actors. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, in conversation with co-curators for the season Come the Revolution, on the meaning and films that celebrate black acting talent.

September at Watershed sees the arrival of Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, looks forward to the festival and to discovering some of the most exciting new films being made. He also discusses how short films are not just rites of passage to feature films, but perfectly formed pieces of creativity which work on their own terms.

August at Watershed celebrates the films of Roald Dahl. In this month's podcast Roseanna Dias, Watershed's Engagement Projects Coordinator and Sally Griffith, Roald Dahl On Film programmer, discuss the enduring appeal of Roald Dahl to audiences young and old, and to filmmakers – along with highlights of the films and events at both Watershed and Chapter in Cardiff.

In anticipation of July's Cinema Rediscovered festival at Watershed, which celebrates classic and contemporary films back on the big screen, this month's podcast discusses some of the highlights from the festival and explores what it is that makes cinema going so unique. Watershed Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove and writer, broadcaster and critic Tara Judah share what it is that they find so beguiling about cinema and which films in particular they are looking forward to seeing back on the big screen.

Observations and reflections from the Cannes Film Festival 2016 by Watershed Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove. Mark comments that 2016 was a vintage year for Cannes and discusses how melodrama is back, films exploring the moral maze, the cinema of dissent; and poetic visions of the world through new, surprising, urgent and moving cinema.

This month Watershed screens a season of films exploring the work of influential composer and director John Carpenter. Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove discusses the historic links between music and film from the early days of cinema, via Psycho and Jaws to the era defining and groundbreaking scores of John Carpenter.

Screening at Watershed this month is unforgettable Holocaust drama Son of Saul. Watershed's Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove discusses the film and the morality of the creative choices inherent in making films that portray human atrocities.

2016's Berlinale Film Festival opened with a focus on the humanitarian crisis that is currently unfolding around us. Watershed's Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove was at the festival and reports back on the winning film Fire at Sea – a powerful study of migrant crisis. He also shares his pick of the crop with new films from Isabelle Huppert, Gerard Depardieu, Terence Davies and a shocking documentary on the state of internet security today.

Through the late 40's and 50's America's House Committee on Un-American Activities waged a war against communists and communist sympathisers, with special attention paid to the film industry. Through this period a significant number of screenwriters, directors and actors were called to account for their alleged beliefs, ruining lives and careers along the way. In this month's podcast Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, discusses this dark time in Hollywood and the release this month of the entertaining and illuminating Trumbo – about the Hollywood screenwriter who was blacklisted after refusing to testify to the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1947.

After a visit to what will be probably the highest grossing film of all time – Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator reflects on the fact that on average the UK population goes to the cinema only twice per year. What does this mean for a diverse film culture? However all is not lost as Mark looks forward to some of the varied, high quality and, yes, entertaining films coming to Watershed in early 2016.

Reflections on the Watershed year in cinema for 2015, with a list of the top 25 films screened at Watershed. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator discusses why the hugely diverse 25 films selected stand out for him, highlights a few that slipped through the critical net and reveals his favourite film of 2015.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Cinema Curator at Watershed, wonders why is it that African films continue to excite audiences and garner international attention, yet are woefully under-represented in British cinemas. With a particular focus on Senegalese cinema Mark introduces some of the key directors and films in African filmmaking from the last 50 years, and looks forward to the 10th Afrika Eye Film Festival which takes place at Watershed and across Bristol this November.

In this month's podcast Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, asks what is curation in the film exhibition world? And how is it different from programming, scheduling or booking? And indeed do audiences care how a film comes to be on at a cinema as long as it is something they like and it is showing? He asks these questions having recently worked with a group of Watershed's Future Producers who have created a season of late night sensory cinema that asks what LOVE is Like.

In this month's podcast Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, talks about why the Watershed hosted Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival holds a vital and unique place in the annual film calendar. Mark selects some of his highlights from the upcoming festival and tells us it's the perfect opportunity to see the talent of tomorrow, hear from the filmmakers themselves and to share the all too rare pleasure of seeing short film on the big screen.

In this month's podcast Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, reflects on his recent visit to Bologna, Italy, for Il Cinema Ritrovato festival. The festival has been going for nearly 30 years and has grown to become a vital and important film festival. The title of the festival roughly translates as Cinema Revisited or Cinema Restored and focuses on representing restored and often neglected archive films from around the world. Mark considers the value of watching old films and having a festival dedicated to them, and argues that these films still have historic importance and resonance today.

In this month's podcast, to mark the centenary of the birth of legendary American director Orson Welles, Watershed Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove talks about the the impact of Orson Welles work. Mark looks back over the career of this landmark figure, not only in the history of cinema, but also in his early days shaking up the worlds of theatre and radio. Mark also discusses the films, some well known and some less often seen in cinemas, all of which are screening in July as part of the The Magnificence of Orson season at Watershed.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Cinema Curator at Watershed, reflects on his five film highlights from the Cannes 2015 film festival including; Carol directed by Tod Haynes and based on a once shocking Patricia Highsmith novel, an idiosyncratic Icelandic film about two sheep farming brothers and Taklub which explores how survivors rebuilt their lives after a super typhoon – which Mark says is one of the greatest films he has seen in a some time.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Cinema Curator at Watershed, and Palliative Care Consultant Julian Able discuss May's Caring About Dying season of films at Watershed. The films are screening as part of the cultural programme of the 4th International Public Health and Palliative Care Conference, of which Julian is the Chair of the organising committee. The conference explores how to reframe death and dying and brings these two subjects out in the open to talk about loss and suffering, and how to foster community participation and resilience in response. In this podcast Mark and Julian talk about our contemporary context for dying, the professionalisation of end of life care and the films screening at Watershed – Amour, Still Alice and Last Orders – and their vivid portrayal of the realities and emotions brought on by death.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Cinema Curator at Watershed and Phil Johnson, Senior Programme Producer at St Georges Bristol delve deeper into our Folk Noir strand of screenings and performances that looks at the darker side of folk music and film.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Cinema Curator at Watershed and Professor Tim Cole from University of Bristol reflect on some of the themes, ideas and discussions that have emerged from films recently screened at Watershed as part of Conversations About Cinema: Impact of Conflict. This season of screenings, events and conversations, co-created by Mark and Tim, continues until July and looks at how film and filmmakers address the impact of conflict.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, talks about The Impact of Conflict and discusses the Playable City with Watershed Producer Hilary O'Shaugnessy. Mark discusses how film and filmmakers have and do address The Impact of Conflict, in particular in relation to new cinema release Selma. Selma is a gripping drama that focus on Martin Luther King in a vivid retelling of the months leading up to the historic 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, that would secure voting rights for African Americans - a story that resonates with contemporary American events and screens this month at Watershed. Hilary talks about the notion of the Playable City and Watershed's past successes in making Bristol recognised as the original Playable City and upcoming Playable City activity in 2015.

This month Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, talks about our new strand Conversations About Cinema: The Impact of Conflict with co-curator Tim Cole, Professor of Social History at University of Bristol. Mark and Tim reflect on how the impact of a war, any war, is not confined to its dates, but goes far wider, far deeper. They discuss this notion in relation to our January programme, which includes a special Sunday Brunch season (Rebels in the Rubble) that explores filmmaking in the immediate post-war period and new release Testament of Youth. The Impact of Conflict strand runs from January until June 2015 and will explore the effects of war across people, society, places and politics.

In this episode: This month Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, considers his five, or so, top films of 2014. We also hear from Nikesh Shukla, editor of Watershed's young people's magazine Rife on their list of the twenty four most influential Bristolians under 24. Mark discusses films that this year have renewed his confidence in British filmmaking, films that mesmerised him and films that have thrilled him with their subtlety, vigour and passion. What are your top five films of the year?

In this episode: This month Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, is in conversation with Fern Dunn, an MA Curation student on placement at Watershed. They discuss the nature of and influences on Film Curation, why Watershed is a partner in the MA course and the upcoming season of films that Ferne has curated – Beats to Buddhism. Beats to Buddhism is Watershed's contribution to November's Glassfest celebrations which sees seminal composer Philip Glass return to Bristol, with the season of films exploring the interests, inspirations, and influences on a composer who has irrevocably changed the face of contemporary music.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, talks about Watershed's upcoming season Sci Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder which boldly celebrates the ever popular genre of science fiction with re-released classics, an in depth look at Afrofuturism and an evening featuring the sound of sci-fi and a screening of Silent Running at the magnificent Eden Project. Mark is also joined by three of Watershed's Future Producers to talk about the sci fi imbued screenings and events they have created as part of the season, taking in late night screenings, a weekend of free events and a Blind Date screening as part of Fun Palaces, plus a range of family activities over October half-term.

In this episode: Clare Reddington, Watershed's Creative Director, discusses the positive aspects of play and how we can use the infrastructures of cities to make people think about where they live and how they connect with each other. Clare also talks about ways to get playful at Watershed this month from Shadowing – a new artwork that connects people at dusk across Bristol through play, to the Making the City Playable conference and through playful cinematic visions of how we might work, rest and play in the future.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove, Watershed's Cinema Curator, considers what is unique about the experience and what is the value of seeing a film in the cinema, and what is it that makes film quintessentially cinematic.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove discusses Creativity Inc, which offers a rich, behind the scenes look at Pixar Animation's creative success; and considers the issue of the industrialised processes of the film industry engaging with creative and artistic talent. It is through this prism that Mark wonders how the sublime, 12-year-spanning, Richard Linklater epic, Boyhood was ever made. Finally Mark looks ahead to July's Century of Chinese Cinema season, which offers a fascinating insight into the richness and history of Chinese film culture.

In this episode: Rife Magazine is a new online magazine written by young people in Bristol for young people in Bristol, covering arts, entertainment, events, lifestyle, social issues, politics and Bristol itself. It is run by Watershed and funded by Bristol City Council. In this month's edition of the Watershed podcast, Rife Magazine Editor Nikesh Shukla and Project Manager Vanessa Bellaar-Sprujit present the team of young journalists working with him for the next six months. Shanai, Ryan, Adibah and Jon tell us what they were doing before they joined Rife, what they'd love to come out of the project, and why it's so important. We also hear about the regular features you can expect from the journalists, such as What Grinds Our Gears and Little Ryan's 30 second film reviews. Follow updates from the team at @rifemag.

In this episode: Andrew Kelly, Director of Bristol Festival of Ideas talks to Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator about the tenth anniversary of the festival. They discuss May's wide ranging programme of talks, events and screenings which cover amongst others science, literature, new wave feminism and the centenary of the start of World War One – and how audiences ten years on still have a voracious appetite to come together face-to-face to engage with ideas. Cinema screenings they discuss as part of the World War One commemorations include Bristol produced Till The Boys Come Home, in which the people of Midsomer Norton and Radstock re-enact the oral history of their ancestors, and Stanley Kubrick's incredibly brutal, anti-war film Paths of Glory.

In this episode: Mark Cousins, critic, presenter and filmmaker talks to Watershed's Clare Leczyki and Tommy Curtis about his inspiration for making A Story of Children and Film, in which he asserts that the themes of children in cinema are the big human themes, themes that show us all what it is to be alive.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, is joined by Phil Johnson, Senior Programme Producer at St George's Bristol, to discuss Filmic 2014. Filmic 2014 is the third year of Watershed and St George's annual celebration of the creative connections between film and music, explored through a season of performances, events and screenings.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, is joined by Phil Johnson, Senior Programme Producer at St George's Bristol, to discuss Filmic 2014. Filmic 2014 is the third year of Watershed and St George's annual celebration of the creative connections between film and music, explored through a season of performances, events and screenings.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, is joined by philosopher and writer Julian Baggini. Julian has co-programmed January's season of screenings Recipe For Life: Film, Food and Philosophy Sunday Brunches and in this podcast discusses the relationships between food and philosophy and how film can provide a philosophical insight into the meaning of food in our lives.

In this episode: Mark discusses all things magic with Watershed Magicians in Residence Stuart Nolan and Kieron Kirkland, plus residency partner Dr Mike Fraser of University of Bristol, Department of Computer Sciences. They discuss what they have been exploring in their residency and the relationships between magic, technology and computing, plus magic and magicians' inextricable link with the birth of film.

In this episode: This month Mark considers the representation of women in film and media and discusses five films coming up at Watershed in November that have women as their central characters – all of which engage with issues of female representation in rich and complex ways.

In this episode: Mark reflects on the ongoing creativity of British filmmaking, the role of festivals such as Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival in giving British directors, cast and crew their big breaks, and the plethora of great British films opening this month including Clio Barnard's The Selfish Giant, Paul Wright's For Those In Peril, Hanif Kureshi's Le Week-end and John Akomfrah's The Stuart Hall Project.

In this episode: Charlie Cooper is part of the Future Producers, our development programme for 18-25 year olds, and for this month's podcast he took a closer look at how Watershed and Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival produce new talent - both in filmmaking and in creating young producers, like him, who have the skills needed to programme an arts venue like Watershed.

In this episode: Continuing our summer podcasts looking at some of what goes on at Watershed outside of the cinema, Clare Reddington, Director of Watershed's Pervasive Media Studio, discusses the Playable City with Watershed Producer Verity McIntosh and Watershed Managing Director Dick Penny. They discuss why Watershed has coined the term the Playable City, the current Bristol-wide play experience Hello Lamp Post and the playful work Watershed has been doing to encourage you to look at the city with fresh eyes.

In this episode: Guest podcaster Clare Reddington, Director of Watershed's Pervasive Media Studio, discusses the Watershed produced creative technology collaborations which, as a part of #BRISTOLPROMS, explore how to re-present classical music performance. #BRISTOLPROMS is Bristol Old Vic's season of classical music concerts in July and Clare is in discussion with Tom Morris, Bristol Old Vic Artistic Director and John Durrant, Creative Director of Bristol based design agency BDH.

In this episode: Mark considers the cinema of Austrian director and perennial provocateur Ulrich Seidl, including our 2008 retrospective and his upcoming new trilogy (Paradise: Love, Faith and Hope). He also discusses why Watershed is showing Much Ado About Nothing, the latest film from Hollywood's renaissance man Joss Whedon.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove looks forward to this year's Cannes Film Festival, where he thinks the famous auteur theory is still very much in evidence. Continuing the auteur theme, he discusses Pedro Almodovar's early career, his status as the quality European auteur, and the release of his latest film, the intoxicatingly fun I'm So Excited!

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove reflects on the impact digital is having on the film and cinema world. He also talks about Bristol-made feature film Flying Blind plus Filmic, Watershed's season of films and events celebrating the enduring relationship between film and music which continues into Spring.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove introduces Watershed and St George's Filmic season of films and events which explore the rich relationship between film and music. The focus in March is on composer, producer, artist and collaborator John Parish and in this podcast Mark discusses with John his filmic influences and how they have inspired his own compositions for films.

In this episode: Prompted by upcoming documentary Side by Side, where Keanu Reeves goes on a tour of the past, present and future of filmmaking in today's digital revolution, Mark takes a closer look at the impact digital is having on the making of films and on what we see on screen. To explore the issues and changes, Mark is joined by South West-based cinematographer Terry Flaxton, who is Professor of Cinematography and Lens Based Media at University of the West of England.

In this episode: Mark discusses the future of cinema in this post digital, multi-platform age. Mark takes a look at the challenges cinemas and film have faced in this brave new world, and asks what it means for exhibitors, and for audiences.

In this episode: Mark discusses how food features prominently on the cinematic menu with the reissue of Oscar winning Babette's Feast plus a season of Sunday Brunch films with a food flavour. Mark is joined by Watershed's Executive Chef Oliver Pratt who discusses his own food inspirations and passions, the value of Watershed's Plot to Plate ethos, changes in food culture over recent years and some of the new food experiences Watershed has been offering over the last year.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on Michael Haneke's extraordinary and moving, Palme D'Or winning, Amour – coming to Watershed this month. For Mark Amour raises questions more broadly around perfection in art and explores why for him Haneke's film represents artistic perfection in cinema. Also discussed is the upcoming The Master, dubbed by some as 'a new American classic', which Mark looks forward to assessing in terms of his contention that a certain strand of American cinema is only concerned with itself, is self-referential and isolated.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on profiling, promoting and platforming new talent at Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival, plus his pick of Future Encounters. On finding talent away from the centre through Watershed's FilmWorks programme, and its aim to develop regional based filmmakers. Plus Award-winning film industry professionals sharing skills and experiences at Encounters Festival 2012 – now available on DShed.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival, its move to September and its relationship to Bristol; Watershed's work with artists and technology which explores how we experience cities; and a certain tendency in some American cinema for what Mark perceives as 'self-obsessed amoral insularity'.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on the volume of film choices and the impact on cinema, whether traditional film exhibition structures are the best way to present new work, a new documentary on dissident chinese artist Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, old age on the big screen and Watershed's Creative Cinema Summer School.

In this episode: An extended podcast with Mark Cosgrove in conversation with writer, author and broadcaster David Goldblatt. Mark and David discuss the connections between sport and culture plus Watershed's RELAYS programme of work, which presents a season of films and has worked with young people to explore sport, media and culture as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove reflects on Michael Haneke's Cannes 2012 winning film Amour, Ulrich Seidl's latest film Paradise: Lost and the changing nature of the cinema experience. Plus an overview of Watershed's 30th Birthday celebrations on June 7th.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on Mark Cousins' The Story of Film, International Short Film Festival Oberhausen, Cannes International Film Festival 2012 and Ulrich Seidl.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on making decisions on which films to show at Watershed, Sight & Sound's Greatest Films poll and films this month at Watershed.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on the disquieting and disturbing Austrian film Michael, the Dardenne Brothers' emotionally rich and heart-warming The Kid with a Bike, and the phenomenon of crowdfunding new filmmaking.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove and Phil Johnson, St. George's contemporary music curator, on Filmic a new festival of film and music that celebrates the enduring relationship between music and moving image.

In February 2012, Mark Cosgrove, Head of Programme at Watershed, recorded a special, extended conversation as part of Filmic, in which he and Phil Johnson, co-creator of Filmic and contemporary music curator at St Georges, discuss the ethos underpinning the festival, including their examples of exemplary film and music collaborations.This recording was taken from a special, extended podcast. Each month, Watershed.co.uk features podcasts detailing upcoming programming highlights. In the podcasts, Mark Cosgrove, discusses the films, festivals, events, debates taking place, and Watershed's wider work as a producer of creative digital projects.Related Links: Watershed Monthly PodcastFilmic at St George's

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on cinema in 2012 and the films coming to Watershed in January including the joyous The Artist, a love letter to silent cinema, and the brilliant and unsettling Shame – a very modern exploration of the male psyche; plus Ralph Fiennes' bloody and violent updating of Shakespeare's Coriolanus.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on Ken Russell, the cinematic highlights at Watershed in 2011 – including a strong resurgence in British filmmaking, 3D and documentaries – plus Mark's top films of the year.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on a UK film renaissance, British films at Watershed, Bristol Encounters International Film Festival and Ken Loach's Kes.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on Watershed's centenary celebrations of the birth of influential and provocative Canadian media theorist Marshall McLuhan.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on The Story of Film – An odyssey, world cinema, film studies and Venice Film Festival.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on Encounters Bristol International Film Festival 2011, The Passion of Joan of Arc, The Tree of Life and London Olympics celebrations.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove on Cannes Film Festival 2011, Watershed's Bernard Herrmann (Citizen Kane, Psycho, Taxi Driver) Centenary celebrations and UK Film Council Policy.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove discusses the work and career of iconic film score composer Bernard Herrmann (Citizen Kane, Psycho, Taxi Driver) and Watershed's celebrations in June of the centenary of his birth.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove discusses the Passion of Joan of Arc, Watershed's forthcoming Bernard Herrmann season and a series of films and events focussing on the city.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove discusses innovation in digital technology relating to cinema and opportunities to view some of the outcomes at Watershed

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove discusses some of the strands and films that were screened at the recent Berlin International Film Festival

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove predicts 2011 as the year of the Beat Generation and discusses Howl which explores the life and work of beat poet Alan Ginsberg.

In this episode: Mark Cosgrove, Watershed's Head of Programme film highlights at Watershed over the next three months.

Mark Cosgrove, Watershed's Head of Programme on 3D cinema and this month's screening of Avatar

Mark Cosgrove on Encounters International Film Festival at Watershed and on Mike Leigh

Mark Cosgrove on Afrika Eye Film Festival at Watershed

Mark Cosgrove on short films and older films at Watershed

Mark Cosgrove discusses Watershed's upcoming programme of festivals

Mark Cosgrove discusses Watershed's online programme

Mark Cosgrove discusses highlights from Cannes Film Festival 2010

Mark Cosgrove discusses Four Lions, The Bad Lieutenant and Seventies Sundays: Paranoia, Politics and Punk season at Watershed

Mark Cosgrove in discussion with iFeatures Exec Producer Chris Molls

Mark Cosgrove discusses his recent trip to the Berlin Film Festival 2010

Mark Cosgrove discusses iFeatures, Watershed's Low budget High Impact film season and his forthcoming visit to the Berlin International Film Festival

Mark Cosgrove discusses film throughout the last decade as well as new films The Road and A Prophet

Mark Cosgrove discusses Encounters Short Film Festival 2009, The Red Shoes and The Queen of Spades

Mark Cosgrove discusses The White Ribbon and Encounters Short Film Festival 2009

Mark Cosgrove discusses film season Celebrating Age: Growing Old (Dis)gracefully, as well as new british release Katalin Varga

Mark Cosgrove discusses Encounters Festival 2009 and a selection of new British releases showing at Watershed

Mark Cosgrove discusses Lars von Trier's latest offering Antichrist

Mark Cosgrove in conversation with Father Robert King from Clifton Diocese

Mark Cosgrove in conversation with David Goldblatt Author of The Ball is Round

Mark Cosgrove discusses Jack Cardiff, A Matter of Life Death, Pierrot le Feu and La Roue.

Mark Cosgrove discusses Watershed's Polish film season, Journey to Poland.

Mark Cosgrove discusses highlights from Berlin Film Festival 2009.

Mark Cosgrove discusses highlights from Slapstick 2009.

Mark Cosgrove discusses what's on at Watershed throughout January 2009.

Mark Cosgrove reflects on the highs and lows of 2008.

Mark Cosgrove discusses Eadweard Muybridge, George Melies, Waltz with Bashir and Encounters Festival.

Mark Cosgrove discusses Ulrich Seidl, Alexander Sokurov, Gomorrah & Quiet Chaos

Mark Cosgrove discusses the Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams and Between Heaven and Hell: The Films of Ulrich Seidl.

Mark Cosgrove discusses Watershed's August Programme

Mark Cosgrove discusses Il Cinema Ritrovato 2008

Mark Cosgrove discusses Cannes Film Festival 2008

Mark Cosgrove discusses Allen Ginsberg, The Counterculture and May ‘68

Mark Cosgrove discusses auteurs – Michael Haneke and Wim Wenders.

Mark Cosgrove discusses the Berlinale Film Festival 2008, Shine a Light, Elegy and The Oxford Murders.

Mark Cosgrove discusses The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, My Kid Could Paint That, Watershed's Accessible Programme & There Will be Blood.

Mark Cosgrove discusses 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days & Slapstick 2008 Silent Comedy Festival

Mark Cosgrove discusses Bob Dylan, I'm Not There, Todd Haynes, Bob Dylan, Paranoid Park, Gus Van Sant & Bob Dylan

Mark Cosgrove discusses Uppsala Short Film Festival, Encounters & DepicT!

Mark Cosgrove discusses Anton Corbijn, Control and Too Good to be Forgotten

Mark Cosgrove discusses Guggenheim Bilbao, Andrew Keen, A Mighty Heart, Last Tango In Paris

Mark Cosgrove, Watershed's Head of Programme takes a break, leaving room for Nii Obodai.

Mark Cosgrove, Watershed's Head of Programme, discusses two film seasons: Peter Sellars and John Cassavetes.

Mark Cosgrove, Watershed's Head of Programme, discusses some of the films screened at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Mark Cosgrove, Watershed's Head of Programme, discusses the Festival of Ideas: Spirituality and Film Season with Stephen Hinde.

Mark Cosgrove, Watershed's Head of Programme, discusses Shane Meadows' new film This is England, Aki Kaurismaki & Lights in the Dusk, Hannu Karjalainen, Cinema China '07 and the Viva Spanish and Latin American film festival

Mark Cosgrove, Watershed's Head of Programme, discusses Amazing Grace, David Lynch and an interview with Watershed’s resident artists, Hazel Grian and Luke Jerram

Mark Cosgrove, Watershed's Head of Programme, discusses Casablanca, Climates' director Nuri Bilge Ceylan and Japanese film programmes showing at Watershed and Arnolfini with Jasper Sharp

Mark Cosgrove, Watershed's Head of Programme, discusses The Last King of Scotland, Into Great Silence, Babel, Ghosts & Slapstick