The next Blackpool Film Collectors’ Convention, widely regarded as the premier event for film collectors in the UK, will take place on 14th – 16th November 2025, at the Grand Hotel situated on Blackpool’s North Promenade.
With interest in “lost films” growing, particularly after recent reports that lost Doctor Who episodes may yet surface, saved by enthusiasts from destruction, and other shows, too, it’s expected to be another well attended gathering.
Interest in the work of organisations such as Film is Fabulous!, who attend this event, and De Montfort University’s Cinema and Television History research centre, has certainly buoyed interest in old film, as has the schedule of Talking Pictures, regularly broadcasting film and TV gems of yesteryear, to the delight of old and new fans, including Doomwatch and The Edgar Wallace Mysteries.
The channel also screens premières of newly found films and shows previously thought lost, such as today’s screening of the classic comedy Operation Stogie, released in 1959. Directed by Ernest Morris and starring John Hewer, Anton Rodgers and Susan Stephen, it’s a classic comedy; the tale of two cadets who are set an outrageous and wacky initiation test to prove their suitability for officer training.
Held in the resort since the 1970s, originally organised and run by film dealers, Blackpool Film Collectors’ Convention has been managed by a team of film collectors and enthusiasts since 2022. It is now regarded as the premier event in the UK for lovers of “real film” – collectors of movies released primarily on the Super 8 and 16mm gauges.
Held at the Grand Hotel situated on Blackpool’s North Promenade, the weekend starts on Friday evening with a film show in the hotel. Typically, the programme includes a variety of short films, cartoons and trailers in addition to the main feature film.
For the first time in 2022 the Friday evening film show was projected on 35mm, and we plan to do so again in 2025.
Saturday is given over to film shows throughout the day, with collectors bringing their own reels for projection, on Super 8 and 16mm, followed by a Film Collector’s’ Dinner and quiz in the evening, leading into the Sunday Film Fair, regarded as the highlight of the Convention weekend.
Dealers in attendance offer a range of 8mm, Super 8, 16mm and even 35mm films, projectors, lenses, accessories and books. In addition, there’s a bring-and-buy stall and auction – feel free to bring your own films or equipment to sell. It’s just the place to pick up that elusive film you’ve been looking for, a bargain… or both!
Film shows continue through the day, the weekend rounding off with a Super 8 film show on the Sunday evening.
“An informal final get-together, it’s ideal for those of you who want to screen some of your weekend’s purchases or just kick back and watch a few more films,” say the organisers.
“Whether you attend for a single day, or the whole weekend, The Blackpool Film Collectors’ Convention is the most prestigious event of its type in the UK.”
• The Blackpool Film Collectors’ Convention 2025, Friday 14th – Sunday 16th November 2025, The Grand Hotel, North Promenade Sea Front, Blackpool, FY1 2JQ | Blackpool Film Collectors’ Convention Official Site | Facebook | YouTube
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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