Run by volunteer film enthusiasts, Leytonstone Pop Up Film Club has presented a monthly screening in Leytonstone Library for the past 11 years, starting with a screening of local director Alfred Hitchcock’s early silent film The Lodger.  

X7eaven is an award-winning Academy based in Leytonstone that delivers bespoke performing arts in singing, dance, drama and music. X7eaven has been running for over 10 years nurturing and guiding some amazing young talent that has gone on to perform in West End Theatres as well as the film, TV and music industry.

Apne Film Club are reviving and archiving the South Asian cinema clubs that were found wherever migrated populations settled in the UK in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. A hall or cinema was hired, reels were brought in (or VHS later) and everyone would come together to spend a day watching a golden age classic or the latest hit. With samosa and chai flowing and talking throughout the picture, it was as much a space to build community and connect to a sense of home as it was to just simply watch a film.

Ashton John is an award-winning filmmaker, specialising in documentary films. He has directed independent festival films that have been screened at various film festivals and on television. Also working as a director for commercial films, Ashton's films have been screened at various film festivals including the East End Film festival screenings on Channel 4 and ITV.

Dawinder Bansal is an award-winning British artist, producer and presenter who creates and shares stories using theatre, moving image and immersive art installations. Fascinated by people’s lived experience and their stories, her work is informed by her cultural heritage as well as contemporary stories. Dawinder unearths hidden stories to entertain, inspire and subtly provoke audiences to rethink people’s experiences: both the commonalities and the differences.

Sam Francis is the CEO, Artistic Director, Choreographer and Filmmaker of X7eaven Academy. Sam is an innovative and thought-provoking Filmmaker, her passion lies in connecting with the audience through the magic of performing arts.