Big Trouble Little Pictures: The Total Arts Film Festival returned to The Light Cinema and Cambridge Junction on Thursday 25 June.

The joyful celebration of powerful short films and music videos by the next generation of artists and filmmakers from communities in and around Cambridge, curated by Total Arts, Cambridge Junction’s fortnightly group for disabled young artists.

The ninth annual festival showcased work from Cambridge Junction’s Creative Learning programmes, including collaborations with specialist school settings and community groups, as well as independent submissions selected by Total Arts.

The festival showcased the filmmaking talents of over 50 young people who have taken part in projects over the past year. Audiences were also able to watch behind-the-scenes footage of the creative journey behind the films.

As well as the screenings, audiences enjoyed  inspiring speeches, award ceremonies, and a relaxed disco hosted by DJ Boss Lady.

This year’s festival featured films by Granta School, Red Balloon, Bridge City Collective, Total Arts, and Total Arts Mini Bytes.

All the films screened at the festival can be watched below. The film festival programme can be downloaded HERE.

Since launching in 2017, Total Arts has continued to grow its film festival Big Trouble Little Pictures. The festival began by showcasing films made by the group alongside work from Spring Common Academy as part of a long-standing collaboration. In 2018, it evolved into a public-facing event. Each year, Cambridge Junction works with specialist schools and groups to co-create original short films with young people who have complex needs, culminating in a celebratory big-screen premiere.

“We’re really happy to share with everyone the incredible films made by young people across Cambridge that we’ve showcased at the Total Arts Film Festival this week. Massive congratulations to all the young creatives and thank you to all the professional artists and filmmakers who co-created these films with them. The Total Arts Film Festival is one of the most joyous highlights of our year and I really hope you all enjoy the wonderful, funny, moving, surreal and provocative films they’ve made together as much as we have.” Beth Bailey, Head of Creative Learning 

Cambridge Junction is supported by Cambridge City Council and Arts Council England.

Photos by Claire Haigh.