Taught by Helena Gouveia Monteiro
An introduction to all aspects of Super 8 film shooting and developing for beginners.
Date: Friday 6 November 2026 (11am-6pm full day)
Participants: 6 max
Level: Beginners
Cost: £80 all included
The course will be divided into three parts: shooting as a group with a Super 8 camera, processing the film in the darkroom, and viewing the film at the end of the day.
This course is aimed at professional visual artists who would like to experiment with photo-chemical moving image in the context of their practice and looks at types of cameras and film stock, covers the essentials for film shooting in different conditions, using the developing equipment and chemistry, and preparing the film for projection and/or digital transfer.
All materials are included, you can bring ideas for a 1-minute film and some props, costumes, or objects you would like to include in your film.
Previous experience with analogue materials or darkroom photography is an advantage, but not a requirement.
Helena Gouveia Monteiro is a visual artist and experimental filmmaker. At Fire Station Artists’ Studios she manages the Media Studio and the recently launched Dubh Film Lab. She manages Dubh Film Lab in Dublin, and is a member of L’Abominable/Navire Argo and Filmwerkplaats. Her new film Laoi Shuibhne|Sweeney’s Lay is currently in production with the support of the film project award from the Arts Council of Ireland.
To book, please email boxoffice@belfastfilmfestival.org with a short description of your art practice and a link to your work.
DUBH Film Lab at Fire Station Artists’ Studios is a space dedicated to photo-chemical moving image, artists and filmmakers with the facilities and technical knowledge to process their own analogue materials and offering training, equipment, and supplies at affordable rates.
Currently the only film lab in Ireland, DUBH allows artists to process their still (35mm and medium format) and moving images (standard 8, super 8, and 16mm), rent cameras and equipment, and receive training through a yearly programme of courses,
masterclasses, and workshops.
Dubh is part of the Film Labs, a network connecting cooperative and artist-run film labs worldwide.
About Fire Station Artists’ Studios: https://www.firestation.ie/about/
Venue Information:
Beanbag Cinema
5 Exchange Place, Belfast, BT1 2NA
- Wheelchair accessible
- Level access
- Automatic or power-assisted doors at the entrance
- Entry & exit well lit
- Accessible bathroom
Note: The entrance to the Beanbag Cinema is down a narrow, cobblestone alleyway.
The nearest Changing Places toilet is in Castle Court Shopping Centre. It is open from 9am – 6pm.
Transport information:
The closest bus stop is Lower Donegall Street.
The closest train station is Grand Central Station (20 minute walk or a 12 minute bus).