film Archives - Millennium Point

Bader Media Entertainment CIC is a production company with a combined passion for filmmaking and protecting the environment. Profits made from projects fun own community interest activities and external charities that focus on combatting litter worldwide. Based in the UK, they produce high-quality creative content for entertainment, community interest and to promote their mission to protect the environment.

Aim of the event

The objective for Bader Media Entertainment CIC was to host a film premiere for their latest feature ‘The Shimian’. The clients were keen on making the evening a great experience for their guests and one that would make them feel the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood premiere.

Why Millennium Point for The Shimian World Premiere?

Our clients are local filmmakers to the Birmingham area and had previously visited Millennium Point’s Auditorium for film screenings. They chose Millennium Point to show The Shimian because the Director had been impressed with the size of the screen and the condition of the Auditorium, as well as the space available below on event space Platform.

Another reason was location, Millennium Point is close to Birmingham City Centre and central train stations such as New Street Station, a bonus for guests arriving from other cities.

Challenges and Solutions

The challenge for Bader Media Entertainment CIC was to find a venue that also were event organisers to ensure the event was a success. The events team were on hand to help with the organisation before and after the event.

Our team developed an events plan that would make the evening an exciting experience for our client’s guests. We suggested ideas along the way how the team could help, and what to do with the space to make it atmospheric and professional.

Particularly, our in-house AV team, which comes standard with most bookings, worked closely with theirs to ensure the best visual and audio experience for the premiere.

AV Equipment and Service

As it was a film premiere it was vital that the screen and sound for the film was perfect. Our AV team worked closely with the client to test visuals and sound to ensure it met expectations and needs. This was through screening tests and run throughs so changes could be made to really give the film the wow factor on the Auditorium screen.

Bader Media Entertainment CIC have received feedback since the premiere on how good the sound and visuals were.

Working with the Millennium Point Team

Our events team had received positive reviews from working with Bader Media Entertainment CIC. The Event Operations team were professional, pleasant & friendly on the night so guests could enjoy their evening. Behind the scenes, the Events team ensured the planning, organisation and communication was all sorted throughout so the event could really give the wow factor. Along with this Marketing worked with the Director to promote the event and film to give it the limelight the film deserved.

How was the client’s experience of Millennium Point?

James Peakman, Director of Bader Media Entertainment CIC said

‘It was an absolute pleasure working with Millennium Point, and I literally can’t fault the staff or place itself. They were so accommodating and gave us attention to detail that I would struggle to find at another venue. The premiere itself was a huge success for us and has opened doors for further movies. The feedback from the guests about the event has been excellent. I would like to say a massive thank you to all the staff at Millennium Point for being so professional and welcoming, and now we will have to make another movie so we can host another premiere at Millennium Point’.

Book our Auditorium for a test today!

Our friendly events team is always happy to help. Get in touch today to discuss your event needs, and bring a sample of your work with you, we guarantee that you will be blown away when you see your content on our giant screen for the first time.

We can’t wait to talk to you!

Will you survive The Shimian?

We caught up with Director James Peakman from Bader Media Entertainment CIC to talk all things horror, production, and the excitement as he prepares for the world premiere of a thrilling new horror, The Shimian, which will debut next month in our giant screen Auditorium, one of the biggest screens in Birmingham.

The Shimian World Premiere is taking place Thursday 29^th September 2022, early bird tickets cost just £10, with tickets costing £15 from Thursday 1^st September. Find out more about the event here.

A hair-raising British horror that will leave you on the edge of your seat

The Shimian is set in a forest where a family take a camping trip to celebrate a birthday and fix their strained relationships, but their celebrations are cut short when they learn something unearthly is hunting them.

Questions will be raised about why the Shimian is after them but that can only be answered by being pulled into watching the rest of the film.

A creature as old as time

When asked about where Peakman got his inspiration, he replied: ‘the original story was an extension of a short film the production company made’- also named The Shimian. It was set in the 1930s and focused on a lady of a manor house being tormented in bed by an unseen entity. Continuing from the 1930s, the feature-length will create a full timeline of the Shimian while watching the lives of four relatable people unfold throughout.

We moved on to discussing horror as a genre, where The Shimian director speaks about how much he enjoyed making the short horror film: ‘It was so much fun that I wanted to continue it into a feature film.’

He also shared his love of the cult horror classics such as Jaws, Predator, and IT, saying that viewers will find “little nods” to these in the Shimian. For the nervous viewers, he reassures that ‘though it has its fair share of scary moments, it’s not all doom and gloom – in fact, there are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments in there too.’

‘A director is only as good as his team’

When asked about his favourite moments while making the film, The Shimian creator remembers fondly ‘watching the actors who had never met before rehearsals form a genuine bond together.’ He also talks about the dedication of the team from how they would go over lines when not on set, to the crew behind the scenes working early hours and working through heat or rain to make the film.

However, Peakman says ultimately his favourite moment hasn’t happened yet, that will be when he finally can show the film to everyone on the giant screen.

Choosing Millennium Point for The Shimian premiere

We moved on to discuss locations in Birmingham for film premieres. Peakman reveals that this isn’t the first time he has experienced the Auditorium, having attended several events at our multi-award-winning venue in the past, including Birmingham Film Festival.

When asked why he chose Millennium Point he responds: ‘I was impressed by, not just the giant screen and Auditorium, but the lobby space and bar area’. The filmmaker goes on to say, ‘There’s plenty of room to shape it how you need it to be for your event’.

Peakman also shared his experience when booking the premiere with us: ‘what really won me over was how A: how friendly the staff are B: the great communication and C: how accommodating they’ve been. Nothing has been too much trouble’.

If you want to make a film learn your craft and have fun

Wrapping up our time with James, we asked what advice he would give to people wanting to make a film.

‘I would say that all they need to do is go out and make films.’ Although sounding simple he says that ‘you’ll find a lot of chatter-boxing and not enough action with some filmmakers.’ Continuing Peakman says ‘just ignore the doubts and negativity and go out, find like-minded people or friends, be creative and find a way to make films.’

Discussing further, he says ‘don’t worry if your films turn out good or bad, just enjoy making them. Have fun and learn your craft’.

Where to watch The Shimian

Closing the interview, Peakman thanked all the film’s supporters who donated to the crowd funder campaign saying how ‘I can’t thank you all enough for your support’. Following the premiere, the horror film director plans to tour The Shimian at several international film festivals.

You can watch the world premiere of The Shimian at Millennium Point on Thursday 29^th September 2022. Guests will be able to meet with the cast, and director and see the first-ever screening of the film.

Amazing things happen at Millennium Point

We may be a little biased, but we’re pretty good at events. Whether our clients’ events or our own, we always strive for hospitality excellence. If you have any questions about events being held or want to start booking your own, our team are always happy to help. Contact us now, we can’t wait to talk to you!

Find more interesting content from Millennium Point over at our news section, or follow us for daily updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn with @MillenniumPoint. Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.

Millennium Point have once again teamed up with innovative event specialists The Wine & Events Company to present a fun and unique showing of the festive classic It’s a Wonderful Life, alongside 5 specially chosen wines and a very big screen.

Tickets are just £31.95 (plus fees), however if you book by the end of August, you will receive a special early bird price of £28 per person.

Our Christmas film with wine get together takes place at 7pm on Sunday 4^th December 2022 on Birmingham’s biggest screen.

Grab your tickets from Eventbrite before they sell out!

‘Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?’

George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all – and it’s Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashbacks. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence – who then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn’t been for all his good deeds over the years.

It’s a wonderful life… You after 5 wines, probably

Take advantage of our early bird offer and get your tickets for just £28 per person (plus fees). The early bird offer ends at midnight on Wednesday 31^st August, tickets will then be £31.95 (plus fees) each.

With your ticket you’ll get more than just a film screening!

The perfect festive film on a very BIG screen:

Hosted in our giant screen Auditorium – previously the regions biggest and best IMAX – Our host Tony from film geeks The Wine & Events Company will be providing entertainment and movie trivia throughout. For example, did you know the original It’s a Wonderful Life started out as a short story on a Christmas Card?

Along with all of this, the film will be paused at intervals so you can enjoy five fantastic wines specially chosen for the event.

Our movie experience nights are not to be missed!

Check out one of our last ones of the eighties classic Dirty Dancing below. Guests had the time of their lives with a live band, themed cocktails, and movie trivia with host Tony Elvin. To keep up to date with our other movie nights, check out our What’s On page here.

Tickets are selling out fast, so purchase your tickets to avoid disappointment.

Getting to Millennium Point for It’s a Wonderful Life

Millennium Point is in the Eastside of Birmingham City Centre just 5-minutes’ walk from Moor Street and 15-minutes from Grand Central and the tram. There is also limited parking on-site which means we’re easy to find regardless of how you travel. For more information please click here.

Imagine it – Christmas dinner has just been eaten and the family have migrated to the sofa with a tub of celebrations at the ready. It’s on you to put on a Christmas film, but which one?

Well, we have you covered with some of our personal festive favourites below. We guarantee no Hallmark Christmas films here!

Elf – For the family

Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidently transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.

Home Alone – For the mischievous

When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherin O’Hara) makes him sleep in the attic. After the McCallisters mistakenly leave for the airport without Kevin, he awakens to an empty house and assumes his wish to have no family has come true. But his excitement sours when he realizes that two con men (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) plan to rob the McCallister residence, and that he alone must protect the family home.

The Grinch – For the grumpy

In this live-action adaption of the beloved children’s tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen).

The Holiday – For the hopeless romantic

Dumped and depressed, English rose Iris (Kate Winslet) agrees to swap homes for the holidays with similarly unlucky in love Californian Amanda (Cameron Diaz) for a much-needed break. Iris finds herself in a palatial Hollywood mansion while Amanda navigates the lanes of a picture-perfect English village. Soon enough, both lovelorn ladies bump into local lads perfect for a romantic pick-me-up.

Die Hard – For the controversial

This may raise a few eyebrows and potentially has the power to cause a Christmas day bicker, but we’re putting it in as a Christmas film any way!

New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) and two daughters on Christmas Eve. He joins her at a holiday party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of terrorists who take over the exclusive high-rise, and everyone in it. Very soon McClane realises that there’s no one to save the hostages… but him.

Bonus Christmas Film – Love Actually – the modern Christmas classic

We liked this movie so much we showed it on our big screen back in early December paired with 5 delicious wines!

Nine intertwined stories examine the complexities of the one emotion that connects us all: love. Among the characters explored are David (Hugh Grant), the handsome newly elected British prime minister who falls for a young junior staffer (Martine McCutcheon). Sarah (Laura Linney), a graphic designer whose devotion to her mentally ill brother complicates her love life, and Harry (Alan Rickman), a married man tempted by his attractive new secretary.

Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands. Find more interesting content from Millennium Point over at our news section, or follow us for daily updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn with @MillenniumPoint

What’s ‘worse than the total agony of being in love’? … potentially not getting a ticket to Love Actually with wine!

There is only a few days left to buy tickets for this festive treat on Sunday 5^th December at our award-winning venue. Millennium Point have once again teamed up with the charming movie geeks The Wine Events Company for a fun and unique wine tasting. This festive event will include five themed wines and a very big screen, all for the price of £31.95 (plus fees).

You can book your ticket here.

Love Actually – several modern love stories in one classic film

Nine intertwined stories examine the complexities of the one emotion that connects us all: love. Among the characters explored are David (Hugh Grant), the handsome newly elected British prime minister who falls for a young junior staffer (Martine McCutcheon), Sarah (Laura Linney), a graphic designer whose devotion to her mentally ill brother complicates her love life, and Harry (Alan Rickman), a married man tempted by his attractive new secretary.

Featuring: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman

Certificate: 15|Running Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

‘To me, you are perfect’- You to the wine… probably

The ‘new classic’ Christmas movie will be paused to pour you a glass of festive cheer as The Wine Events Company shares with you their five perfect wines. The film and wine connoisseurs will also pause the film at appropriate moments to share some fun movie trivia. For example, did you know that Love Actually was the most rented DVD in the UK in 2004, it must be good!

The event will be a safe, fun, and interactive ‘wines and movie’ event in our multi-award-winning venue with one of Birmingham’s biggest screens.

The film is showing on the Sunday 5^th December, the doors will open at 4:00pm with the event starting at 5:00pm. There are limited tickets available so make your you secure your ticket for this fantastic festival event.

Our movie + drinks nights are not to be missed

Our movie + drinks nights have been hugely successful with fans and are not to be missed. Want to get a feeling of what to expect? Check out our screening of the eighties classic Dirty Dancing below. Guests had the time of their lives with a live band, themed cocktails, and movie trivia from the film geeks at The Wine Events Company.

We pride ourselves on our outstanding hospitality, with a wide range of events there is something for everyone. You can keep up to date with all our events on our refurbished website here.

Getting to Millennium Point

SHOUT21, the festival of queer arts and culture for Birmingham and the West Midlands has announced its programme for 2021. The welcomed event will be running from the 5^th to 28^th November, with plenty in store for all.

SHOUT21 presents a broad range of queer culture, reflecting the kaleidoscopic diversity of LGBTQ+ communities in our city and region.

A wide range of diverse events to attend throughout November

SHOUT21 opens with an all-female queer comedy night at the Glee Club. My Comedy X SHOUT boasts a line-up of comedic greats from the likes of Shazia Mirza to the most exciting new acts on scene, Chloe Petts.

Be prepared to be transported to Subside Bar on 14^th November where you will be greeted to Queer Stories from the Home of Metal. Emerging in the West Midlands half a century ago, heavy metal has soon become one of the world’s most popular forms of culture. Now it’s time to celebrate the queerness that’s always been part of metal. In a scene that’s endlessly theatrical in music and costume, blending escapism, fantasy, and outsider culture.

If heavy metal isn’t your thing, take a historical trip to Spain for Hispanic Breakdown: The Copla Musical. Held at the MAC on 11^th November, in the heat of the Spanish Civil War, follow drag artist La Gitana’s story as she is rescued by a group of Republic fighters. She then sets out on a mission to spy on the forces that captured her. The artist moves continents, becomes a drag sensation, finds love, yet struggles to merge her Spanish past with her American future.

Wherever you are, SHOUT is accessible for all

Throughout the month there will also be several workshops that can be done in person and online. Attend Digital Shout Outs, presented on SHOUT’s YouTube channel, partnered with Round Lemon, a Birmingham based art collective. The workshop led by artists Dyson Ryan Asbury, Bethan Jayne, Andreea Pîslaru, William Shoal & Carmela Vienna will showcase creative ideas and practices that challenge the notion of body, identity, and sexuality.

Or write creatively with #Softlads: Creative Writing Workshop that responds to the fabulous tapestries created by Oliver Bliss. During the workshop, you will have a chance to creatively respond and explore the themes of Oliver’s works through your creative writing practice.

SHOUT it out, SHOUT it loud

Artists in SHOUT21 will explore issues from the historic erasure of trans people to abuses of power, from online expressions of masculinity to the giving and taking of offence. The festival also finds a home for a schlock horror drag monstrosity, a radical trans dance party, an intergenerational singalong and, of course, runway divas battling it out in the legendary Vogue Ball.

It’s a whirlwind three weeks of workshops, exhibitions, theatre, dance, films, talks, music, and creative experiences, in ten different Birmingham venues as well as a substantial online and digital programme.

Unmissable, Educational & Inclusive

With lots of events planned through the month, there will be something for everyone this SHOUT Festival. You can find out more on the events on their dedicated website here.

Why SHOUT and representation matters for LGBTQ+ in STEM

When it comes to looking at actual stats of the number of LGBTQ+ people currently working in STEM, they are very difficult to find. STEM Women estimations suggest that LGBTQ+ people are roughly 20% less represented in STEM fields than expected. In 2013 the Queer in STEM survey found that more than 40% of LGBTQ+ people in STEM are not ‘out’ due to working environments.

Therefore, when arts and cultural events like SHOUT take place, it becomes a vehicle through which we can educate on the LGBTQ+ experience and create a more inclusive and encouraging environment which can attract and retain LGBTQ+ talent in STEM and continue shrinking the skills gap.

You’ve got less than a week to book your seats for the musical hit Rocketman, alongside five ‘Elton John themed’ wines.

It’s almost time to reach the sky and head to Millennium Point, to experience a modern musical hit while enjoying five tasty wines. Rocketman with Wine takes place on Saturday 13th November at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm).

Continuing our successful partnership, we will once again be teaming up with movie geeks, The Wine Events Company, who will be serving up Rocketman trivia alongside five ‘Elton John themed’ wines throughout the screening. As with any musical, there will be plenty of singing opportunities, so make sure those vocal cords are warmed up!

About the film

Rocketman is the epic musical story of Elton John and his breakthrough years in the 1970s. It l ooks at his fantastical transformation from shy piano prodigy to international superstar. All of this set to the toe-tapping rythms of the pop music icons greatest hits.

Featuring: Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, Jamie Bell, Bryce Dallas Howard and many more.

Certificate: 15 | Running Time: 2 hours 1 minute

What do you get with your ticket?

Tickets are priced at £31.95 per person (plus Eventbrite fees) and you’ll get more than just a film screening!

Rocketman on the big screen: Admission to the film screening in our new and improved Auditorium with entertainment throughout by the film geeks at The Wine & Events Company

Five themed Wines: So, how do you pair wines with an Elton John movie? Well, we’ve researched Elton’s favourite wines from his demanding on-tour-Ryders and Wedding Breakfast menu. From the Loire to Burgundy, the Rhone Valley to Tuscany, Elton has an expensively decadent taste in wine that we will be sharing with you on the night. Not only that but we’ll show you how to enjoy a rockstar collection on a supermarket budget!

Don’t miss our movie and drink nights

Our movie and drinks nights have been hugely successful with fans and are not to be missed. Want to get a feeling of what to expect? Check out our screening of the eighties classic Dirty Dancing below. Guests had the time of their lives with a live band, themed cocktails and movie trivia. To keep up to date with all our event offerings please click here.

Feel the love this Christmas with Love Actually with Wine

With the festive period fast approaching, feel the love this Christmas with a screening and themed wine tasting experience of the seminal 2003 festive rom com, Love Actually. We’ve once again teamed up with the Wine Events Company to bring you a safe, fun, and interactive ‘wines and movie’ event in our multi-award-winning venue with one of Birmingham’s biggest screens.

The film is showing on Sunday 5th December, the doors will open at 4pm with the event starting at 5pm. There are limited tickets available so make your you secure your ticket for this fantastic festival event.