Sir Michael Balcon (1896-1977) is Birmingham’s Film Knight, and his contribution to the British Film Industry, and to Birmingham’s film heritage, is massive.

This Birmingham-born movie mogul produced all of Hitchcock’s UK movies, ran a US film studio, and produced all of the Ealing films. Now, in this new digital age we can pay tribute to a man who was committed to throwing light onto new techniques, new technologies and onto new film makers. Michael Balcon chaired the Experimental Film Fund, created in 1952, an organisation which went on to become part of the BFI and supported the earliest works of directors such as Ridley Scott and many other UK directors.

The aims of the Experimental Film Fund were technical and artistic, providing creative opportunities for ambition and innovation. In this way, many new film makers took their first steps into the film industry. In light of this emphasis on innovation and exploration of new talent, this event will team up with Film Dash – a 48-hour film challenge to show support to any such new film makers.

Terence Davies on Kind Hearts and Coronets for 75 years of BFI:

“ The film that I would choose, if I had to choose one film above all else, would be Kind Hearts and Coronets by Robert Hamer. I think it’s the most perfect comedy, much as I love Some Like it Hot, Kind Hearts and Coronets is utterly flawless. It has one of the great voiceovers; probably the great voiceover in cinema, delivered by Dennis Price. It’s flawless, I just love it!”

Event Info
This event will consist of an introductory speech by Sir Michael Baclon’s daughter Jill Balcon along with a full cinema screening of the classic Ealing comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) directed by Robert Hamer and produced by Sir Michael Balcon.

Tickets are free, just contact Roger at www.swishproductions.co.uk and the screening will begin at 7pm promptly.