People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Col Needham
Col Needham is the founder and CEO of IMDb, the world’s leading movie website. It was while working as a software engineer at Hewlett Packard that Col started IMDb as his own personal resource, before collaborating with other like-minded film fans to develop the site.
Despite selling IMDb to Amazon in 1998, Col continues in his original role for the company, working from an office in his home city of Bristol with IMDb staff members in countries around the world.
With two Cary Grant films in his top 10 movies of all time, Col is a huge fan of Bristol’s biggest ever star and is on the advisory board of the Cary Comes Home Festival which returns to Bristol from November 23 to 25.
is needed now More than ever
Here are Col’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Watershed
“The best in film and film-related events with a great cafe and bar. I have seen so many wonderful films here at the Watershed over the years since my first visit upon moving to Bristol in 1988.”
The Grand Appeal
“The sculpture trails organised by The Grand Appeal bring people together on a citywide adventure with the Aardman Animation characters, and it’s all in a such a good cause for the Bristol Children’s Hospital.”
The view from the IMDb office in Castlemead
“I am a fan of tall buildings (and climbing stairs within them as a form of exercise) so it is only fitting that the IMDb offices are near the top floor of Bristol’s tallest tower. You can see for miles in every direction and watch some parts of Bristol grow and change over the years while other parts retain their historical stability.”
Bristol’s film festivals
“Whether celebrating Cary Grant as Bristol’s most famous star via the biennial Cary Come Home Festival this year from November 23 to 25, or the best in short films via Encounters in September, or special screenings in special venues all year around via the Bristol Film Festival (including viewing Titanic on the SS Great Britain), the city has so much to offer film fans as a UNESCO City of Film.”
Carols on the Green, Stoke Gifford
“Taking place this year on Saturday, December 8, this annual outdoor carol service for everyone is organised by St Michael’s Church in Stoke Gifford on the village green. The brass band, traditional carols, mulled wine and hot food draw hundreds of people together from the community. Proceeds go to Caring at Christmas. It has been known to snow during the event which adds to this already memorable experience.”
Read more: If I Knew Then: Col Needham
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