Beacon Films: Unearthed Treasures

Beacon Films are showing Unearthed Treasures at the Great North Museum: Hancock from Monday 12 to Wednesday 14 October. The whole thing started with a single challenge: Beacon Films gave a group of filmmakers the same brief — make a film about treasure, what it is, and who or what defines it. The results are what you'll see on screen.

The line-up is a long one. Philip Hughes, James Olsen, Martin Roberts, Daniel Cooper, Lucy Townshend, Erin Campbell, Wayne Johnson, and Damien Harman all put their own take on the prompt, so you get several different perspectives on the same question rather than one single story. Sound effects come from Oidgnw and Moxobna, with Simone_Ds on post-workflow.

It's a fitting spot for it, too. The Hancock is in the heart of Newcastle, and its collections belong to the Natural History Society of Northumbria, the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne, and the Shefton collection of Greek and Etruscan objects left by the late Professor Brian Shefton. If you've got time to wander around the rest of the museum, there's the Living Planet gallery of wildlife and habitats, the Hadrian's Wall gallery with archaeological finds from across the wall's 73-mile stretch, Fossil Stories around a T. rex replica, the world of the Ancient Egyptians including two mummies, and the World Cultures galleries. For the under-fives, there's the Mouse House and a regular programme of activities.

Unearthed Treasures runs from 12 to 14 October at the Great North Museum: Hancock on Barras Bridge, and it's free to see.