Book here to watch this screening online! Please note: this is not a live-stream. Booking will close at midnight on Saturday 22 March. Online viewing will then be available ‘on demand’ for 48-hours only from 12 noon (UTC+0) Sunday 23 March - Tuesday 25 March 2025.

This screening will feature English captions of all spoken content.

An audience with silent cinema music maestro Neil Brand!

A high speed voyage into the art of silent cinema accompaniment presented by the world’s foremost proponent of this specialised artform. Neil will draw on his expertise presenting BBC TV’s Sound of Cinema: The Music That Made the Movies series, and his years composing and improvising for silent film, to provide insightful commentary on how music contributes to an audience’s appreciation of film, with real-time, live demonstration. From the earliest, earthiest comedies and thrillers, and a cine-verité classic shot by a young Billy Wilder (which the audience gets to score!), to the glories of Hollywood glamour, crowned by a live performance of a film he hasn't seen, Neil provides improvised accompaniment and pithy commentary on everything from deep focus to his own live cinema disasters. 

A unique and memorable show that will leave you in awe of the great filmmakers of the silent era and the artistry of the accompanists who breathed life… and sound into their work. 

Running time: 1h 15m | N/C 12A
Commissioned in its original form for the Edinburgh International Festival

Image credit: Valerio Greco

*Please note - this is an online broadcast, you will receive all the relevant info on how to watch online once booking closes. You can only tune in to this screening between the times stated. Please ignore the automatic email you are sent containing a QR code. If you have any queries please contact hippfest@falkirk.gov.uk.*