The film was commissioned by South West Arts as a community collaboration with some of the bands active in Bristol, UK in 1980. It was screened as part of a rock film season at the Bristol Arts Centre (seen at the very end, on the stage of which some fans perform). The 27-min full version - is now available here - made on Super 8mm film with sync sound and edited on video, it includes the music of the bands: Apartment, Art Objects, Black Roots, Blurt, Exploding Seagulls, Brian Damage, Glaxo Babies, Slow Twitch Fibres, Shoes for Industry, Stingrays, Talisman, TV Eyes, Untouchables, Various Artists.

Following completion of the project, the filmmakers prepared a report for the Arts Association ( on their experiences working with the community - the musicians and the cinema - using the often under-used super 8mm single sound system, making recommendations for better integration of the funder's policies and filmmaker innovations.

A film by Mike Gifford and Mike Leggett.
Commissioned by Bristol Art Centre with funding from South West Arts, UK.

LINK to video: Bristol Bands 1980 Newsreel