Winsford school children bring an Enchanted Forest to life with new film

A new Christmas film, created by children and young people in Winsford, will be shown online and at Cine-Window in Winsford Cross Shopping Centre.

Cine-Window Winsford has worked together with eight of the town’s schools to produce a short Christmas film using children's artwork.

All primary schools within Winsford, Over and Wharton were invited to take part, with 1,277 pieces of artwork from children and young people used to make the film. Artwork was based on this year’s theme of ‘The Enchanted Forest’, including drawings of snowflakes, Christmas trees, reindeer, frosty woods, woodland creatures, and snowmen.

Pupils from Winsford High Street Community Primary School, Grange Community Primary School, St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, St. Chad’s Church of England Primary School, Over St. John's CE Primary School, Wharton CE Primary School, Darnhall Primary School, and Oaklands School created drawings using pens, coloured pencils, paint, and collage. The artwork was then scanned and made into an animated presentation reel to produce a film.

The resulting film is being shown at Cine-Window in Winsford Cross Shopping Centre throughout the Christmas period until 6 January 2026 and shared online.

Supported by Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cine-Window Winsford is an exhibition space showing artist and community film projects in Winsford Cross Shopping Centre. Since 2019, Cine-Window Winsford has commissioned and screened artist films and moving image made by and with creative communities of the town. Recent projects include a free monthly film club for children; ‘Rainbow’, a collaboration between Cine-Window Winsford and the Winsford U3A poetry group exploring text-to-image AI as a tool for poets; and ‘Visible Mending’, which documents the work of Rachel Davies and the participants in her workshop series at Crosshatch studios.

Cllr Lisa Denson, Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future, said:

“This film is fantastic and brings the Christmas spirit into the town centre. Cine-Window Winsford has become a central part of the local community and is rooted in Winsford. They work with people from different groups and backgrounds and of different ages to support co-creation, with a focus on making sure people are included. I’m proud that they are working with local schools to create this opportunity for children and young people to be creative and have fun. Culture, creativity and play are vital parts of modern town centres and are supported by Cheshire West & Chester Council as part of its regeneration of Winsford.”

Chris Oakley, Creative Producer for Cine-Window Winsford, said:

“The Christmas film is always a huge success. This year we have had eight schools taking part which was fantastic. It’s great to see the children getting involved and having fun in embracing creativity. It is heartwarming for the next generation to share some Christmas cheer with the people of Winsford.”

Crosshatch Studio and Cine-Window Winsford are always keen to hear new ideas.

If you are interested in sharing skills or running a class; or if you have ideas or proposals for a new project please get in touch with Crosshatch Studio or email: 

artswest@cheshirewest.gov.uk

To view the video and for more information on Cine-Window, visit:

The Enchanted Forest – Cine Window Winsford