Feeding the three thousand with popcorn

‘It’s just what I’m looking for – a really good idea,’ said 26-year-old Mawusi Blewuada, a London-based, post-production film editor. Mawusi was full of enthusiasm after discovering Bible Society’s Reel Issues resources at this year’s Greenbelt Film Venue.

Mawusi was one of almost 3,000 admissions who came through the doors of the Film Venue, which was sponsored by Reel Issues, over the August Bank Holiday.

‘This was an exciting partnership with Greenbelt,’ said Reel Issues editor, Lindsay Shaw (pictured). ‘As film lovers came to lap up a really imaginative film programme, Bible Society was able to chat with them and showcase its Reel Issues resources through a film commercial featuring actor David Suchet and film writer Nev Pierce.  

‘Enthusiastic punters sat on Bible Society bean bags and munched Reel Issues popcorn while they were swept up in movies ranging from the Pixar animation Up, to the tense, coming-of-age tale Fish Tank.’

Alongside film screenings and presentations arranged by Greenbelt, Bible Society took charge of a Reel Issues-style workshop inspired by the festival theme ‘The Art of Looking Sideways’.

And Urban Saints, Bible Society’s youth partners in Reel Issues, helped young people dig out the spiritual themes in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Jo Bega, Development Manager at Greenbelt said, ‘Having Bible Society involved was brilliant and a great fit for Greenbelt. 

‘Film is a vital part of the Greenbelt mix,’ she added. The way Reel Issues was promoted to everyone who visited the film venue ‘was such a good example of how to get a message across in an integrated, creative way’.