HippCast

The Hippodrome Silent Film Festival
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The Hippodrome Silent Film Festival (HippFest) is Scotland's first and only festival of silent film with live music. This brand new podcast features insights from a variety of HippFest evndeavours: Q&As with performers, interviews with archivists, and plenty of other fascinating conversations about archive cinema. We hope you enjoy tuning in!

  1. 3d ago

    Postcards from Pordenone!

    A HippFest presence in Pordenone every Autumn is something of a tradition thanks to Le Giornate del Cinema Muto, but this year, with support from the Creative Scotland Expanded Festivals Fund, Digital Content Manager Christina was able to join Festival Director Alison Strauss for the trip. Relishing the buzz in the square surrounding Teatro Verdi, for HippCast Episode 39 we were excited to capture some of the delicious silent film chatter on 'tape'... Or rather, smartphone and tiny bluetooth microphone. Please note that all of these interviews were recorded by grabbing people with only a few minutes to spare, outside in a public place. This means that all the on-site recordings feature varying degrees of background noise. Hopefully that makes the experience immersive as opposed to distracting... We are very grateful to all of our wonderful speakers who were happy to chat! Enjoy the show. Our speakers, in order of appearance: Christina WebberSerge BrombergKate SacconeBryony DixonDaan van den HurkLaura HorakPamela HutchinsonStacey WisniaAlison StraussJoel ArcherMelanie SelfeBen Palmer Relevant links A time-stamped English transcript of this episode is available to view here.Find out more about Le Giornate del Cinema MutoFollow Le Giornate on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTokSee the photographic documentation of Le Giornate on Flickr hereCatch up on some of the festival's presentations and interviews via YouTubeRead Pamela Hutchinson's wonderful daily festival recaps via Silent London

  2. Sep 30

    'This kind of magic telepathy': in conversation with Jane Gardner and Hazel Morrison

    Hello HippCasters, we're back in the audiosphere this month with a double whammy of musical goodness! In today's show we hear from Jane Gardner and Hazel Morrison, a familiar and much beloved HippFest duo, following their recent visit to Tromsø Silent Film Days and ahead of their performance as part of our Taste of Silents season accompanying Murnau's Faust (1926). Conversation varies merrily from the days of silent film on British TV, to some of the stranger instruments (/body parts?) used in past scores, and of course a wee musical preview of what to expect in October. As always, a full English transcript, and more information about Jane and Hazel, can be found here. Happy listening! Relevant links See all the screenings in our 2026 Taste of Silents seasonFaust (1926) with music accompaniment from Jane and HazelCheck out Jane Gardner's website hereRead the 2023 blog by Alison Strauss Silent Siblings: HippFest Goes to Tromsø Silent Film DaysLearn more about Tromsø Silent Film DaysLearn more about some of the screenings mentioned (including The Goose Woman - 1925, The Grub Stake - 1923) by reading our Programme Notes

  3. Jul 31

    Feminist film historiographies: in conversation with Kate Saccone

    Our podcast guest this month is none other than the wonderful Kate Saccone! Kate is a film curator, scholar, and editor based in Amsterdam. She received her PhD from the University of Amsterdam in May 2026. She is the project manager and an editor of The Women Film Pioneers Project and currently serves as board president of Women and Film History International. In this month's episode Kate and Christina, our HippFest Digital Content Manager, chat about the breadth of Kate’s expertise, feminist historiographies, and the twin joys and challenges of uncovering and re-learning how we think about early cinema. As Kate states in the show, silent film culture is really thriving, and thus the conversation features a host of excellent recommendations for films, film-makers, organisations, research and other enticing silent era thought-threads. Make sure to check the links below for all the resources mentioned throughout, and as always, a full English transcript of the conversation is available here. Happy listening! Relevant links (orgs, events): Women Film Pioneers Project Overview EssaysFollow Women Film Pioneers Project on Bluesky Follow Women Film Pioneers Project on FacebookInfo on the upcoming 2027 conference Women and the Silent Screen XIII, “Transitions,” June 8-11, 2027Upcoming 2026 online event Entr'acte, November 6 - 7, 2026Follow Women and Film History International on Bluesky Follow Women and Film History International on InstagramEnter the inaugural ⁠Women and Film History International Student Project Award ⁠(deadline September 15th)Relevant links (films, people, texts) Fatma Begum's Pioneer ProfileNina Niovilla's Pioneer Profile, director of Youth Triumphs/Młodość Zwycięża (1923)Mabel Normand's Pioneer ProfileGene Gauntier's Pioneer ProfileAlma Reville's Pioneer ProfileAlma Reville: in the shadow of Hitchcock? presented by Dr Josephine BottingMore info on Adam and Eve/Adam a Eva (1922)Watch Adam and Eve/Adam a Eva (1922) at Bonn Stummfilmtage Pamela Hutchinson's The Curse of Queen KellyKaren Pearlman's Breaking PlatesKino Lorber's Pioneers: First Women FilmmakersKino Lorber's Cinema's First Nasty Women boxset Watch on YouTube: Lois Weber's Suspense (1913)Watch on YouTube: Florence Turner's Daisy Doodad's Dial (1914)

  4. Jun 26

    Filmhouse are turning one!

    Filmhouse are turning one! Technically tomorrow (Saturday 27 June 2026), but who's counting? In today's show we hear from Program Manager Raymah Tariq, who reflects on the first year since re-opening in June 2025. The discussion includes a peek behind-the-scenes at programming strategy, Filmhouse first birthday celebrations and the 'We Have A Cinema And We're Not Afraid To Use It' strand, and how silent film/ wider repertory cinema fits into contemporary scheduling. Additional reading/ relevant links: Access a full english transcript of this conversation here.Filmhouse first birthday party (Saturday 27 June)! Filmhouse birthday programme: We've Got A Cinema And We're Not Afraid To Use ItFilmhouse birthday programme: Team Birthday PicksFilmhouse birthday programme: Top Filmhouse FilmsMore info about Filmhouse Birthday programme and ticketing

  5. May 31

    Ben Model's Silent Film Universe

    In this month's episode we speak to silent film polymath Ben Model, discussing his recent publication The Silent Film Universe. Digital Content Manager Christina had just finished reading when she spoke to Ben,  and picked out a couple of chapters from which to discuss a few key themes: audience participation in creating the story, text in silent film, and the undercranking phenomena: all about film speeds in filming and projection. Please enjoy! Additional reading/ relevant links: A full English transcript of this episode is available here.Visit Ben's websiteBuy the book, The Silent Film UniverseListen to Ben's podcast: The Silent Film Music PodcastRead Ben's blog (including 'The Language of Silent Film' posts mentioned)Browse the wares at Undercrank Productions (*sale in June 2026!*)More about Ernie Kovacs and Edie AdamsCatch up with previous episodes of The Silent Comedy Watch PartyMentioned in the show: Marketing Without the Marketing with Michael BoeziMentioned in the show: Akimbo: a podcast from Seth GodinWowHDP.S Yes we do have a new musical hook! Wee musical excerpts at the episode start and finish are from our HippFest at Home presentation of Saxophone Susy, with as-live accompaniment from: Jane Gardner (piano), Hazel Morrison (percussion), John Burgess (saxophone, clarinet).

  6. Apr 30

    Young voices on 'old cinema'... again again!

    After a brief podcast break to deliver HippFest 2026, we're back in the audiosphere with the third iteration of our Young voices on 'old cinema' mini-series, featuring thoughts and reflections from some of our young attendees. In this month's release we hear from Kitty Volino, a 19-year-old student who tuned in online from the Scottish Borders, plus 16-year-old Izzie Middleton, who joined us in-person in beautiful Bo'ness. Expect discussion on the whole gamut of silent film viewing - the combination of music and film, silent era happy endings, the feeling of 'watching together', intertitles, tinting, Baby Peggy - plus some stranger tangents (yes, Christina does mention Married At First Sight). Enjoy! Additional reading/ relevant links: A full transcript of this episode is available hereMore information about Young ScotCaptain January (novel) Wikipedia page, as discussedTweet: Clip of Buster Keaton stunts alongside 'how it's made', as discussedListen to our 2025 'Young voices' episodeListen to our 2024 'Young voices' episode P.S Yes we do have a new musical hook! Wee musical excerpts at the episode start and finish are from our HippFest at Home presentation of Saxophone Susy, with as-live accompaniment from: Jane Gardner (piano), Hazel Morrison (percussion), John Burgess (saxophone, clarinet).

  7. Feb 27

    HippFest 2026 Programme Picks

    Can you BELIEVE it's only a matter of weeks before our sixteenth edition kicks off? Well believe it or not, it's true - and in preparation for last-minute booking quandaries we've prepared another Programme Picks episode to tempt you. This year Digital Content Manager Christina Webber chats to The Skinny's Jamie Dunn and captain of the Hipp-ship, Festival Director Alison Strauss, to drill down into some of the silent titles most-anticipated coming up in 2026. Which Sherlock Holmes is Jamie's favourite? Where is our Norwegian-ceilidh-club night? Which films have our students selected to work with for New Found Sound? And how many films HAD Baby Peggy starred in when shooting Captain January (1924)? All these questions and plenty more throughout the show. If curious, the films selected by Jamie Dunn include: The Crowd (1928), The Bat (1926), The White Heather (1919), and Silent Sherlock: Three Classic Cases. HippFest's own Alison Strauss chooses to speak about Fante-Anne (1920), New Found Sound, April Fool (1926), Captain January (1924), and Apart From You (1933). Additional reading/ relevant links: Full English transcript of this episode available here.Jamie Dunn's HippFest 2026 preview in The SkinnyListen to The Skinny's film podcast, The CineskinnyMore information on HippFest 2026 Festival PassesSee the full HippFest 2026 programmeProgramme notes for The Bat (1926) by Allan HunterProgramme notes for Apart From You (1933) by Kelly RobinsonProgramme notes for The Crowd (1928) by David CairnsProgramme notes for Silent Sherlock: Three Classic Cases by Bryony DixonProgramme notes for The White Heather (1919) by Kathy Rose O'ReganWatch Maurice Tourneur: Franco-American Film Pioneer

  8. Jan 31

    HippFest x Cinetopia: a new soundscape for Finis Terrae (1929)

    Happy new year HippCasters! We're back in the audiosphere with a brand new episode inspired by the premiere of a new music commission for Jean Epstein's Finis Terrae (1929), premiering at HippFest 2026. Digital Content Manager Christina Webber catches up with Cinetopia's Amanda Rogers, plus musicians Dan Abrahams and Philippe Boudot as they begin creating a brand new soundscape for this film, set on a bleak island off the Breton coast. The film’s visual style, rich in atmosphere, and with a dual sense of menace and beauty, is an exciting invitation to the musicians whose folk-infused score will illuminate the thrilling elemental rhythm of this land and seascape. The Finis Terrae project is produced by Cinetopia in collaboration with the Edinburgh Film Guild. It is funded by Cockaigne Fund, administered by Foundation Scotland, and with support from the Hope Scott Trust and Help Musicians. We are excited to host the world premiere of this new music commission as part of HippFest 2026. Enjoy the show! P.S Love HippCast? Please follow us on Spotify, or send your favourite episode to a friend. It helps! Additional reading/relevant links Full speaker bios and an English transcript of this episode are available hereBook tickets for the premiere of Finis Terrae (18 March) at HippFest 2026Cinetopia: Scotland's Film CommunityMore info on Cinetopia's project I Ken Whaur I'm GuanMore info on purchasing a HippFest 2026 Festival PassStay in touch with Dan Abrahams and Philippe BoudotMore info about ⁠Dowally⁠ (Dan Abrahams and Rachel Petyt)

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About

The Hippodrome Silent Film Festival (HippFest) is Scotland's first and only festival of silent film with live music. This brand new podcast features insights from a variety of HippFest evndeavours: Q&As with performers, interviews with archivists, and plenty of other fascinating conversations about archive cinema. We hope you enjoy tuning in!

Information

  • Creator
    The Hippodrome Silent Film Festival
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Hippodrome Silent Film Festival
  • Show Website
    HippCast