Here's some pictures, taken by Jan Andresen and used with permission. Thanks for that, Jan.

Wow, that scope screen is truly awesome ! Some 24ft wide I believe!! 😊

Does anyone know if Ian of "Perry's" was in attendance, I cannot make him out here in any of these photographs?

I didnt see him there Andrew.

Graham S

Thanks Graham. What a shame for all those who attended. Ian usually always has a few gems up his sleeve for days like these I believe.

I believe Ian was unable to attend yesterday, Andrew.

Thank you Bill.

Hopefully he may be able to make the Oktoberfest!😂

I did meet up with Barry Attwood at Ealing and had a chat, his knowledge of super 8mm releases is incredible, were there only 4 of us there from this forum ?

The only problem is simply this,
if Dealers are not able to make the day,(especially with months of notice), then collectors wont have much in the way of any point to go, Derann are no longer, Paul Foster doesn't do them any more, Barry retired some time ago from them,(but always attends & mingles with the collectors, always love chatting to Barry), so if Perry's are not going, then aside from private collectors, who else sets up other than Phil at CHC?
I dont wish to be negative on this but whilst it's great to meet other collectors and chat film etc, one of the main points is to see our last remaining dealers and hopefully but and exchange films and equipment and grab a bargain or two. I for one would be a little disappointed to get there and only see one or two dealers in attendance.

All valid points Tom, coupled to the fact that getting around this country is not the easiest of tasks. That aside, take note of the
activity on these forums, 80% of members never contribute, and that is true of all forums, the 8mm forum has the largest membership,
but Its the same regulars that keep it active. So attendance of a convention has no chance.

One of things that seems to be constantly observed at these events now from the people I know who do attend, is there are lots of tables dedicated to 16mm and even DVDs, though I've no idea why??? ... but not so much for Super8mm.

I am not saying hardly anything here, before I get berated, just not as much.
Even Phil himself (who I see did attend), doesn't have too much by way of used 8mm at the moment, so what Tom is saying here, would also definitely be my own outlook after making the long journey if there were only a pocket full of S8 dealers.

Though of course it would lovely to meet up with Bill and everyone here.

I don't know who the four would be btw Bill??

Graham, yourself, Barry and Jan was it maybe ?

Yes that's correct Andrew, I hope other members do not think I was “having a dig” I was not

No one thinks that for a second Bill, but it is very true that support for these venues must be drying up, especially when you
note memberships of forums, as Tom states, if some of the dealers are absent, and to be fair, they have other interests too,
like employment for instance, then it might make a difference, although you would have to be in attendance to discover that.
I remember at the Blackpool conventions, the dealers rooms were packed, but the older members no doubt sadly,are no longer
with us.

As Hugh says Bill, no one would think like that of you Bill here. People will go if they can and want to. If they don't that doesn't make them non supporters of the hobby either in my book.
People just choose whichever way they wish in how they participate in the hobby, that's all.

Sadly you are correct Hugh, the days of conventions are probably numbered, I still enjoy going, I like to home in on the small independent tables, you can often pick up some gems from them, I also collect 16mm and 9.5mm so still a fair bit of choice for me, the other thing is , as I am retired from my full time job I can do as I like nowadays, in theory I have a lot more time, projector repairs permitting!

I noticed something on the film shows which I found odd. At 3.30 pm it says a Laurel and Hardy film show maybe replaced by "True lies " a 2 x 400ft reels " if it arrives in time from
the USA" ?. I thought these were printed in Germany ? and then distributed by the reel image in the USA and by CHC this side of the pond, so why wouldn't Phil have a copy of this
at the same time as The Reel Image, after all are we not closer to Germany than the US. This suggests The reel Image gets them first, and then distributes them to Phil. Excuse my
ignorance but this is how it appears to me, can someone explain this.

I understand the fault wasn't Phil's Paul, the German labs lost his order, so another delay, you just can't get the staff.

Thanks Hugh. So it begs the question then, are the labs in Germany so busy with orders for printing super 8 film they lost this one. I was in conversation with Phil just before
Christmas about all the rumours about the James Bond feature release " the spy who loved me", but he said there would be a delay because they were building a new striping
machine ?. Sometimes you get the impression that "sods law" is working shifts to make sure the best laid plans of mice and men get scuppered.

There always seems to be one huge delay or another for all these new releases now. It certainly makes you sceptical and nervous of being one of the first to pre order, that is for sure!

Quote: Andrew Woodcock wrote in post #12

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I don't know who the four would be btw Bill??

Graham, yourself, Barry and Jan was it maybe ?

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The highlight for me was seeing True Lies on the huge screen. Not seen the film before, but it was cheesy and exciting!

The Famous Five Then John! Well done to you and glad you had a great time there!

I also had a great time although I had to leave at 1:30pm. Still I picked up a nice copy of 'Pieces of Silver' from Phil CHC which had better sound than my other copy. Also a nice Pathe Pictorial on Canada with great colour. Also bought Keith's new DVD. Great film shows as well, amazing how good super 8 can look on a giant screen. Sadly I missed True Lies.

Andrew there was plenty of super 8 there, maybe it didnt show up in the photo's but sadly most of it was faded. You had to be lucky to find some new Derann prints nowadays. Maybe you can blame Ebay for that. Most film fairs now have DVD sellers as these are needed to make up the numbers to pay for the hall. Sad fact I'm afraid as the cine dealers are getting fewer. Equipment wise there was many ST1200's and also a 'very clean' looking Sankyo 800 Stereo WITH the 1.0 Hi Pro lens for only £125.

The lower attendance was possibly due to the fact that this clashed with the Westminster film fair (DVD's, posters and memorabilia but no cine). Maybe this is where those missing dealers went ??. Unfortunately these organisers don't communicate with each other as to dates of events. Not a good idea to have 2 film events in West London at the same time.

Congratulations to Keith and all the other helpers for keeping the BFCC going into its 40th year.

I will look forward to the October event and hopefully stay longer.

Graham S

I attended. I took the interesting scenic route driving in through London Stratford, Aldgate, the Grays Inn Road, past the End of Baker Street, and along Euston Road on the way in. Fortunately the Congestion Charge is not on weekends.

Brian Wornal, who had a stall with films and projectors, had rang for a chat on Friday evening and casually reminded me it was on. I had been working late restoring and despatching a Weston meter to Western Australia and could not make the very early start necessary to be there for bargains. So I missed 16mm two prints "A Canterbury Tale" for £50 and "Modern Times" with a soundtrack. There was a very tired original print of "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" for £125 but as I have an excellent 1980's print already. I am always looking out for a better theatrical contrast original. I can justify buying a better copy of a film I already own as I will then have a print I can sell on to offset the cost.

I chatted to Nigel Lister who is a positive mine of information about the technical side of projectors, and saw Tony and his wife (also from Colchester) who had sold some prints on the 'Bring & Buy' stall. Also Ray had a stall who I occasionally see at the Marks Tey Colchester Boot sale selling the odd 16mm print of 1950's British cinema.

I did purchase again from the very knowledgeable seller beside the entrance two 16mm prints of very early British features. Titles I had never heard of. So I am very pleased I made the effort.

I agree with the comments about collectors growing old and dying off, as two regular attendees from Colchester have 'hopped the twig.' First Jerry and most recently Tom who were both devotees of 16mm film shows. Tom ran his own little cinema in nearby Wivenhoe which is now dark.

Ian