what’s on at kollectiv
2nd September, Wednesday, 7pm
Price: £0
Afsana Press Gallery is bringing another wonderful exhibition to The Old High Street and Folkestone curated by Edgar Wilk.
Join us at kollectiv for A Collective Interview with the curator Edgar Wilk and participating artist from the exhibition at the Afsana Press.
Kollectiv is a proud supporter of Afsana Press Gallery and its exhibitions.
Thursday 3rd September 2026
7pm (doors at 6.30pm)
Television changed the world – but where did it truly begin?
Kollectiv is delighted to present the Folkestone premiere of local filmmaker Ben Barton’s new short documentary, which investigates a little-known chapter in the origins of television.
Where did the first-ever television transmission really take place? For 100 years, the accepted story has pointed to Hastings. But beginning with a forgotten plaque right here in Folkestone, Ben follows a trail left behind by inventor John Logie Baird, uncovering evidence that invites us to look again at where TV first sparked to life.
The short documentary blends location with exclusive archive footage unseen for 70 years, along with stunning drone footage (by Alexander Saxby) to explore not only the birth of this world-changing technology, but the way historical narratives are constructed, simplified and sometimes overlooked.
This special Folkestone Film Festival event expands on the short film with a
contextual introduction, featuring archival material on the early development of television, and a live Q&A with the director, discussing the research, discoveries and questions behind the project.
Writer and director: Ben Barton
Camera, drone and editing: Alexander Saxby
The film has been rated certificate U by Folkestone & Hythe District Council.
Director Statement
“This documentary began as a newspaper article in the Folkestone Foghorn, where I investigated where exactly television was invented. But, after publishing the article, I had more to say! TV is a visual medium, and this story felt best told on screen. Alongside the plaque in Folkestone, I uncovered archive footage unseen for over 70 years. Styled like a short magazine TV segment, the film reflects on how history is formed – and what can sometimes be overlooked.”
Friday 4th September 7pm!
Welcome to an evening of underground films by legends from Barrelstout Production /Bev Zalcock and Sara Chambers!
For the first time in Folkestone they will present films from their career spanning more then 50 years. Their short no-budget films show usage of a range of media from Super8, through Digital to Tape/Slide & Stills!! Their inspiration comes from a wide range of cinematic traditions, early cinema, Soviet montage, and American underground film. Bev & Sarah will hold Q&A after the screening.
5 September
6:30 for 7:30PM start
Who’s ready for a bit of FORCED FUN?
You’ve been invited to work drinks with Hugh Mann at his FIRST EVER One Mann Show.
Hugh Mann is a Genz Z blend of Victoria Wood and Mork and Mindy that your mum will absolutely love.
This drag king has created shows such as Freaky Folkestone, Serving Kent, Sleaze, Gromit!, SLAY BELLS, Folkestone drag competition A Folke’in Drag Contest and drag workshop Folkestone’s a Drag.
Every Sunday of September
12pm
This is not a book club. This is a support group.
Join us in a conversation about Shakespeare’s bloodiest play - Titus Andronicus. Together, we go through it at our own pace - some will finish, others will never read the first page.
The point of the group is to explore, expand and enjoy. You will meet people who want to face big literature without fear, talk about things related to the book but maybe not really about the book, and find out more about the context. We will probably wonder if Shakespeare was one person or many, talk about gore in the play, compare some adaptation and think about going to the Globe together. Anything can happen. Just come and check it out.
Thursday 10 September
7:30pm
It's the first one. Everybody walking in will be new.
Is this for me?
Almost certainly, yes, and you do not need to be technical. Not a bit, not secretly, not "well, I did a course once".
FAM is for everybody, but specially for people who make things: illustrators, filmmakers, producers, sound people, designers, writers, anybody working in or around the creative industries that have suddenly got a lot to argue about. You do not need to understand how any of this works to have a useful opinion about what it is doing to your work, and the people who do understand how it works are, on the whole, keen to explain it to you at the bar.
Some people coming are excited about all of it. Some are angry about all of it. Quite a few will be both, on the same evening, about the same thing. All of that is welcome, so long as you extend the same patience to the person standing next to you that you would want extended to you.
Nobody is selling anything from the front. There is no recruiter working the room and no pitch at the end. It is a room, some chairs, a projector and a bar.
And since this is the very first one: there is no in-crowd to be outside of. Everybody there will be working out what it is at the same time you are.
If it helps to know where the line is before you come: read the code of conduct. It is short and we mean it.
More info here:
recurring events
We run a weekly writing workshop keeping our ticket prices low to encourage as many people as possible to participate. We’ve been meeting for over a year, accepting new writers every week.
The group has been described as ‘life changing’ and ‘the best thing in Folkestone’ by some of the participants. We strive to make sure all voices are heard and the group keeps its intimate and friendly atmosphere.
Poems on all subjects are welcome, whether your own work or a favourite poet.
Our May open mic was dazzling, with humour, love, deep emotion, all shared to an enthralled gathering, proving Wordsworth's comment below to be true.
Performance slots are up to 5 minutes. Or just come to listen.
£5 on the door.
Please arrive promptly at 7pm
Dive into a magical world of words and pictures. Comics Kollectiv is a monthly book club focused on graphic novels. From heartbreaking memoirs to stoner comedies and superhero classics, each month we’ll explore unique stories and colourful characters told through this exciting medium (which is obviously the best medium).
Expect lively discussions, fresh perspectives, and something to drink (cold or hot). Whether you’re a longtime graphic novel fan or just curious about the medium, this is a place to get inspired, challenge your imagination, and connect with others who love stories told in panels and ink.
July 16th: Palestine by Joe Sacco
August 13th: Making Comics by Lynda Berry
September 17th: Acting Class by Nick Drnaso
October 15th: Bad Gateway by Simon Hanselmann
November 19th: Red Son by Mark Millarb
December 17th: Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? / Talking to my Father’s Ghost by Roz Chast and Alex Krokus
January 14th: Black Hole by Charles Burns
February 18th: Diary of a Teenage Girl by Phoebe Gloekner
March 18th: Watchmen by Alan Moore
Curated by local illustrators and comics writers, Navied Mahdavian (This Country: Searching for Home in (Very) Rural America) and Ben Gore (imagined matter; Hip Hop Cocktails), meetings will be a mixture of conversation and doodling (we’ll doodle, but you can join if you’d like).
Come for the books. Stay for the conversations. Leave seeing stories differently.
Ages 13 and up.
Books can be bought at our local comics shop, Lighthouse Comics for a 20% discount. Shop local, please.
Every Monday
10am-1pm
Join us for a wholesome morning at kollectiv - let’s play scrabble together! Join us for as long as you can - grab a coffee and a cake from the bar and let’s get scrabbling (is it even a word?)
People of all levels of experience are very welcome to join this friendly and chatty group. It's a good opportunity to meet new people, have fun and improve your Scrabble skills.
Why scrabble?
An easy to learn game it keeps your mind active. It’s a great way of socialising, getting out of the house and making new friends.
And even if you don’t know how to spell a word, it might turn out you just find a new one!
Every Saturday
4pm-6pm
Discover our friendly, fully inclusive craft group right here at Kollectiv. Everyone is welcome, no matter your age, background, or ability – whether you love knitting, crochet, or want to try both, you’ll find a kind, safe, and inviting place with us.
If you’ve been crafting for decades or have never held a hook or pair of needles before, you’ll fit right in. We gather to share our passion for all things yarn – from cosy scarves, soft blankets and cute toys to intricate patterns and colourful creations. There’s no pressure to be perfect: we help each other learn new techniques, fix dropped stitches, swap patterns, handy tips, and cheer on every finished project, big or small. It’s a lovely chance to relax, chat, make new friends and enjoy some quiet creative time away from the busyness of everyday life.
Best of all, there is no charge to attend! Drinks and delicious pastries are available to buy from the bar. Bring along whatever you’re working on. If you’re a beginner we have plenty of patience to help you get started. We welcome other crafts too.
Come along, pull up a chair, and unwind with yarn in good company – we’d love to meet you!