Film East is a multi-award-nominated film programming group based in Norwich, UK. Since its inception in 2019, the group has provided a platform for young audiences to experience and interact with film. Run by a group of young people, Film East aims to educate and inspire the next generation of film enthusiasts by offering unique opportunities to connect through thought-provoking cinema. Some of the ways they achieve this is via their online film and television blog — which is open to up-and-coming film journalists and critics; their podcast “Film East Chats” — which is broadcast monthly on BBC Radio Norfolk; and their in-person events — which aim to encourage young audiences to attend the cinema and experience the community of public screenings. In November 2021, they released their first criticism collection, SCREEN DREAMS, which explores the many ways music can manifest on screen and how it impacts our viewing experience.
Eating the Screen is the organisation’s next film criticism anthology, which features original articles on the culture of food in film and television. This book decodes the various ways food is depicted on the screen, with conversations ranging from the comfort of pizza and the sanctuary of the kitchen to the fetishising of female flesh and the place pie has in representing the gluttonous American mindset. This anthology also includes a specially curated collection of films, giving you access to a delicious twelve-course cinematic tasting menu.
The anthology features nine contributors. Jessica Barrett, Niamh Brook, Shelby Cooke, Ishnoor and William Schofield are all alumni of The University of East Anglia, having been or currently are residents of the city of literature. The remaining contributors — Maddie Davis, Jessica Ann Evangelista, Rebecca Rosén and Zachary Thompson — are from other parts of the UK or reside in foreign countries, working with Film East to bring Norwich’s creative spirit to the international stage.
Shelby Cooke, head curator at Film East and editor of Eating the Screen, says: “This anthology is a huge project for our group and is really a passion project for myself. It includes twelve insightful articles about our cultural relationship with food, and I’m sure you’ll have a completely new perspective and way of thinking about the food we see on screen once you read this. Plus, in keeping with our programming roots, you’ll also get twelve specially curated films to whet your appetite!”
Film East is dedicated to championing up-and-coming voices in film criticism by providing opportunities for young journalists and critics to be published. Each essay in this anthology is written by a budding film writer under 30, who has dedicated their time, energy and talent to making this book possible. Film East is a volunteer organisation, and your purchase of this book has helped to support us in our mission to educate and inspire young audiences on the importance of challenging and original films.
The book is due to be released on 15 July in electronic download format. E-books will be £12.
To purchase the book, visit film-east.com/eating-the-screen
For more information on Film East and its other activities, visit film-east.com or follow them on social media @films_east. You can get in touch with Film East by emailing them at contactfilmeast@gmail.com
