Britain’s first dedicated media centre, the Watershed opened in 1982. It is housed in Grade II listed former industrial premises on Bristol’s waterfront and stands at the gateway to the Harbourside.
The Watershed fosters cultural exchange and promotes engagement, enjoyment, diversity and participation in film, media arts and the creative economy. It consists of three companies which form the Watershed Group: the Watershed Arts Trust and two wholly owned subsidiaries of the Trust – Watershed Trading and iShed CIC.
The building houses three cinemas, a Café/Bar and a suite of event/conferencing spaces. While the Watershed's cinemas bring world moving image culture to local audiences, the www.dShed.net web platform projects local talent to the world. The building also hosts Futurelab, UWE eMedia and the Encounters Festivals.
Watershed Arts Trust is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. It seeks to be a leading international film and media arts centre connecting local and global audiences, learners, talent, cultures and ideas.
Watershed Trading Company aims to be the most welcoming and inclusive Bristol city venue for social, business and creative meetings, generating a financial contribution for future development of the centre.
iShed Communities Interest Company exists to build a cultural brokerage which connects organisations, knowledge and research through collaborations across the media, arts and technology sectors.
Sponsors / Partners
Arts Council England South West
Arts Council England is the national development agency for the arts. Its ambition is to place the arts at the heart of national life, reflecting the country's rich and diverse cultural identity as only the arts can.
Bristol City Council
The City Council is the elected government of Bristol. It has one overall purpose: to improve Bristol and the lives of all its people, now and for future generations.
South West Screen
South West Screen provides strategic leadership for film and the moving image in the South West region and aims to invest in initiatives which ensure the development of dynamic, creative and innovative environments for the growth of film and moving image culture and businesses.
South West Regional Development Agency
SWRDA's goal is to improve the economy of the South West. This involves giving people the skills they need, encouraging enterprise and improving communications. SWRDA also promotes the strengths of the region and helps people to regenerate their communities.
University of the West of England
The University of the West of England, Bristol (Bristol UWE) is one of Britain's most popular universities with more than 23,000 students and a 1,000-strong academic staff.
TLT Solicitors
TLT is a top 90 UK commercial law firm providing a wide range of integrated and industry focused services. With offices in Bristol and London, 51 partners and over 420 staff, they have strong relationships both locally and nationally. TLT's technology and media specialists advise organisations like Watershed who distinguish themselves through their ability to turn creativity into success.