Watershed

The leading film culture and digital media centre in the South West, home to the Pervasive Media Studio and UWE Bristol’s Digital Cultures Research Centre.

Watershed is the leading film culture and digital media centre in the South West. This centre aims to advance education, skills, appreciation and understanding of the arts with a particular focus on film, media, digital technologies, inclusive talent development and collaboration.

Watershed is home to the Pervasive Media Studio, a creative technologies collaboration between UWE Bristol, Watershed and the University of Bristol. The Studio is a research space which brings together a network of over 100 artists, technologists and academics to explore the future of mobile and wireless media.

UWE Bristol use many of Watershed’s flexible spaces and theatres for teaching, screenings and events. Our Digital Cultures Research Centre (DCRC) is based within the Studio, where some of our postgraduate modules are taught. Within the Watershed building, you’ll also find three cinemas, a cafe/bar and a flexible conference and events space.

What's on at Watershed

Partnerships

UWE Bristol shares a committed partnership with the Pervasive Media Studio at Watershed, a base for the DCRC. All three partners, UWE Bristol, Watershed and the University of Bristol, contribute their time and funding to develop talent and new ideas in the cultural and creative economy.

This collaboration has been instrumental in the DCRC leveraging £21M in external funding for research into the Creative and Cultural Industries since 2008. The funding directly benefits UWE Bristol staff and students through grant funding, fellowships, research and development, and project support.

Watershed has supported the development and delivery of undergraduate teaching (Filmmaking, Graphic Design, Illustration, Media Culture, and international summer schools), postgraduate courses (Curating, Screen Industries, Virtual & Extended Realities), postgraduate research (PhD/DPhil), and residencies.

"As part of my final project for MA Curating, I curated an event at Watershed called “Out of Arcadia”, which explored our complex relationship with countryside landscapes. This involved approaching creators who had produced thematically linked content to see if they’d be interested in showcasing their work at this event."

Steph Read, MA Curating student

Read the full story

Steph Read MA Curating student

UWE Bristol’s MA Curating student, Steph, had the opportunity to curate a cinematic event, “Out of Arcadia,” during their placement at Watershed. Students from this course get unique access to cultural venues in the city and South-West region, where they’re able to curate projects as part of their studies. Read Steph’s story about their experience of curating this event and passion for Watershed as a cultural venue.

“As part of my final project for MA Curating, I curated an event at Watershed called “Out of Arcadia”, which explored our complex relationship with countryside landscapes. This involved approaching creators who had produced thematically linked content to see if they’d be interested in showcasing their work at this event. For example, I worked with experimental duo, SŌN, who developed a new audiovisual piece, Maen Mawr, as part of the season at Watershed.

Since moving to Bristol, the one thing that drew me to Watershed was their unique programme, from its year-round repertory offering to its festival hosts. Thanks to UWE Bristol’s partnership with Watershed, I also had the chance to learn from a mentor who was working there as a cinema curator. This opportunity gave me valuable insight into working as a curator in the film industry.

As a cultural venue, Watershed is one of the only places in the city where niche independent releases are shown. The building feels intrinsically connected to the cultural fabric of the city, complemented by its central location on Bristol’s Harbourside. The historic Victorian warehouse that houses this venue lends a unique sense of character.

Watershed holds a great sense of creative openness, and their programme offers a space for deeper discussion and engagement. It’s a cultural hub where you can network and collaborate with people across many different art forms, practices and industries. My experiences at Watershed have played a major role in supporting and shaping my career aspirations as a film programmer and curator after I graduate.”

Out of Arcadia event at Watershed