Volcano are a "democratic coalition" of underground film groups that decided in 1995 to get together and run a film festival. Last year they decided to hold their first Volcano festival simultaneously with the London Film Festival, to emphasise their alternative approach to cinema.

This year Exploding Cinema, the Halloween Society, Omsk, Scooter, Shaolin, Films that make you go Hmmm, KinoKulture, My Eyes My Eyes, Undercurrents and Renegade Arts are joining together to bring another Volcanic eruption between November 1-15, at venues all over London.

Filmwaves: How did Volcano come about?
Colette (Exploding Cinema): We started off as Alf - All London Film groups - which included Omsk, Vito Rocco and Kinky Movies. About late 1994, we thought it was time we were swapping equipment, films, and information, so we had a meeting in a strange little Soho restaurant. And about a year later we started Volcano.
Philip (Halloween): We also thought it would be a good way to get to know each other.

FW: How are you funding this year's film festival?
Ian (KinoKulture): As a group, Volcano!! only has to pay for the things which are centrally organised, that is the press, and the two parties at the beginning and end of the festival. The actual screenings are organised by the individual groups themselves. We are running this November's festival on the £500 left over from last year, which came from the launch and closing parties. Each group also contributes a small amount towards any additional publicity, which they will get back from their door takings.

FW: What was the response to last year's Volcano like?
Colette: The response was massive. At the launch party there was about 400 people in a building that holds 150, you couldn't actually fit any more bodies in it. In any one night, absolutely every venue was pretty much filled up to its capacity. Some groups, like Exploding Cinema, were even having to turn people away at the door.

FW: What kind of people actually attended the festival?
Ian: There were all types: from music people to film enthusiasts, as well as those we had reached through listings and stunts. Generally though, as each film group has got ...

Full article published in Filmwaves - Issue 2, November 1997. Subscribe now!