If you love movies, boy is this the campus for you! When I first arrived at Trinity as a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed film major, I soon discovered that while I loved studying film, I wanted more. Luckily, our wonderful campus is host to many different film and TV societies that offer screenings, festivals, filmmaking competitions, and writing opportunities galore. Whether you are looking for practical experience in making films or just looking to find some like-minded friends, here is a list of all the filmic and cinephilic opportunities awaiting you at Trinity!
DU Film
DU Film is the most well-known and largest film society at Trinity. They host regular free movie screenings on campus, the information for which can be found anywhere on their Instagram or in their weekly emails if you sign up to be a member! They also hold weekly movie-talk coffee hours (involving free coffee and biscuits) and regular workshops in practical filmmaking led by people who actually work in the film industry. If you are looking for an opportunity to work on a set, there are also frequent opportunities posted to take part in productions as a crew member or an actor. Their pride and joy is the annual Dublin University Film Festival (DUFF) which presents the opportunity to watch (or screen your own) student-made films across Ireland. Whether you are a filmmaker or a film buff, this society offers many opportunities for making friends and participating in the wider Trinity and Dublin film scene.
Trinity TV (TTV)
Trinity TV is perfect for any aspiring editors, actors, filmmakers, or even just TV fans who prefer short-form content over long-form. The society regularly holds TV finale screenings, filmmaking and editing workshops with industry professionals, speaking events, trivia nights, and much more! They also create frequent opportunities for aspiring filmmakers to participate in making videos and platform smaller productions looking for crew and cast. They are big on collaborations with other societies, making the pool of like-minded friends you can make that much bigger! If you keep up with their email list and Instagram, you are sure to find an opportunity to create a video that could potentially be watched by hundreds of students.
Trinity Film Review (TFR)
Trinity Film Review differs from the other film societies at Trinity in that they are primarily a publication. The society provides Trinity students with regular opportunities to attend movie screenings (early and for free as journalists), write reviews, and have their work published as critics. They also plan to release at least 4 physical issues this year with opportunities to write essays, analyses, and opinion pieces centering around a wider theme in cinema. If you are someone who loves to keep up with the latest film releases, loves to write, and especially if you love to write about film, this is the society for you! If you are interested in becoming a contributing writer, their WhatsApp group chat can be found on their Instagram and website. You can also read their reviews on their Letterboxd.
DU Sci-Fi
DU Sci-Fi is more than a film society as they center around sci-fi in books, games, and general media. They host frequent screenings of films and TV show episodes, but also discuss books and play video games! The kicker is their enormous library of DVDs that are available for rent with a membership of the society, providing the chance to see hundreds of films from the comfort of your own home. They also have a Discord server, making it easy to make friends and have conversations outside of just in-person events. They advertise themselves as a meeting place for “nerds of all types”, so if you identify as a nerd, you will be welcomed with open arms!
And of course, the University Times!
Not to be biased but, similarly to TFR, the University Times offers many opportunities to write about film and TV through our WhatsApp contributing writers group chat! Pitches for articles and thinkpieces are always welcome. We also have opportunities to attend film festivals for free, interview prominent film figures in Dublin, and become a published journalist! Keep an eye out for pitches for our next broadsheet and keep in touch!
