D OVER ROTARY CLUB IS SUPPORTING DOVER FILM SOCIETY, SO THAT THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF DOVER CONTINUES THROUGH THIS COVID CRISIS. WE ARE ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT THIS FUND RAISING SO THAT THE ANNUAL DOVER FILM CAN CONTINUE AND WILL BE SHOWN IN MARCH 2022 WE MUST PRESERVE OUR HISTORY OF DOVER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

ANYONE WHO CONTRIBUTES £10 OR MORE WILL BE ABLE TO REQUEST A PAST DOVER FILM TO BE SENT BY EMAIL AND IF YOU DONATE £50 OR MORE YOU ARE ABLE TO REQUEST ALL 18 YEARS FILMS, CHOOSE FROM YEARS 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. 2016, 2017, 2018 AND 2019

AFTER YOUR DONATION SIMPLY EMAIL YOUR REQUEST AND NAME TO:

doverrotaryclub@aol.com

A BRIEF HISTORY OF OUR DOVER FILM HISTORY

In 1971 Ray Warner, who had by then completed his 25th annual film of Dover events, approached Ivan Green, the local historian, with the idea of a local film festival comprising a short film of general interest followed by an Ivan Green Programme of 'Then and Now' slides of old Dover and concluding with Ray's annual Dover film. During the refreshment interval there would be the chance to view an exhibition provided by the Dover Museum and Library. . The first Film Festival was held in the Town Hall in 1972 and the very successful formula lasted for 27 years. After Ray Warner's death in 1990, John Roy of River became an energetic chairman of the committee. Following his death Ron Dryden became chairman and his business acumen eased the financial situation. Phil Heath, a Dovorian and managing director of Heathwood Studios, took over the filming after Ray's death and also produced the Festival. All those involved gave their services without payment. In 1995 the Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary by presenting the only survivors of the first Festival - Margaret (Ivan's wife, projectionist and co-researcher) and Ivan Green - with a silver salver. 1997 broke all records for attendance with all five evening performances and both matinees packed. Sadly, the 1999 Festival was the last - but not for lack of public support.

In 2003, Mike McFarnell took on the challenge to produce the Dover Film and the last Dover Pageant took place in 2008. In 2012, the Dover Pageant as an organisation ceased and a new 'Not for profit' company limited by guarantee No 8792028 was formed.

The Dover Film Festival Society continued to show the Annual Film at Dover Town Hall until 2016 when Dover Town Council and Dover District Council asked the Society to move to the Silver Screen Cinema. The Town Council and the District Council had used £40,000 to equip the Silver Screen Cinema with a digital projector.

Our move allowed them to claim they were supporting a community Cinema. We were sorry to leave the Town Hall but it was sensible. People going to the Dover Film enjoyed the quality of the film projected and the comfort of the seats. Covid-19 has closed the cinema but we hope to be back at the Silver Screen Community for March 2022