There was something strange in our neighbourhood when Signal Cinema brought the 80s classic Ghostbusters to Barrow Library! The special pop-up event was also a showcase for local filmmaking talent, with the premiere of Welcome to Ravenscroft High, a six minute comedy-horror made by a team of 16-19-year olds from Furness who took part in the BFI Film Academy at Signal Films.

Shot in the now derelict Alfred Barrow School, the short film stars Ciara Baxendale, of E4’s My Big Fat Diary, and Charlotte Dowson as sisters who encounter paranormal activity whilst creeping around a school at night.

The screening is the culmination of a year of hard work for the young people, who had to study to gain Arts Award certificates as well as making the film. To celebrate their achievements, the mayor of Barrow, councillor Ann Thomson attended the event to present them with awards before introducing the feature film.

Filmmakers Jay Heaton and Macaulay Denby – who co-starred as The Demon – gave a Q&A to share his experience of working on this film, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Jay said;

“I had such a great experience on the BFI Academy and thanks to Signal I recently went on another course at the National Film and Television School where I got to take part in a Q&A with Dexter Fletcher, director of Eddie the Eagle. I feel so lucky to have had these opportunities and I want to inspire more young people in Barrow to follow in my footsteps.”

Film fans got into the “spirit” and the pair dressed as Slimer and the Stay Puft Marshmallow will be treated to a cinema season ticket for their r for Signal Cinema’s current spring/summer programme of events.

Overall, the night was a success and while the library was a very fitting location for the film, thankfully there were no ghostly librarian appearances!

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