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# ‘ONE FOR THE BOOKS: THE MAUPIN MARATHON’ to be screened at Hastings Rocks International Film Festival 2024 on Saturday, April 13
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/one-for-the-books-the-maupin-marathon-to-be-screened-at-hastings-rocks-international-film-festival-2024-on-saturday-april-13/
- Published: 2024-03-26T09:39:02.000Z
- Updated: 2024-03-26T09:39:02.000Z
- Description: Seaford writer and director Rose Collis is to present her documentary ONE FOR THE BOOKS: THE MAUPIN MARATHON at Hastings Rocks International Film Festival 2024 on Saturday, April 13. In 1984, HM Customs raided the legendary Gay’s the Word bookshop and seized 2,000+ books. They included Tales of the
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: Armistead Maupin, Gay’s The Word, Hastings, Rose Collis, Tales of the City

Seaford writer and director **Rose Collis** is to present her documentary ***ONE FOR THE BOOKS: THE MAUPIN MARATHON*** at **Hastings Rocks International Film Festival 2024** on **Saturday, April 13**.

In 1984, HM Customs raided the legendary **Gay’s the Word** bookshop and seized 2,000+ books. They included *Tales of the City*, **Armistead Maupin**’s trailblazing novels. The shop’s directors and managers were charged with importing ‘indecent or obscene material’ and faced up to two years in prison. £50,000 was needed to cover the legal costs to fight these charges, which were viewed as an attack on the whole gay community.

In April 1985, **Peter Scott-Presland**’s **Consenting Adults In Public** theatre group staged the **Maupin Marathon** fundraiser: a 28-hour non-stop rehearsed reading of the first four *Tales of the City* books, featuring many notable performers and activists, including Gay’s The Word co-manager, **Linda Semple**, **Fi Craig** and… Rose Collis.

After being turned down for funding by the **BFI** and **Arts Council England** (twice), 50 generous people contributed to a crowd-funder which raised almost £6,000 so this film could be made.

Completed in late May, it has already been an ‘Official Selection’ in ten global film festivals, a Semi-Finalist in three others and won seven awards, including the **BRIFF** ‘Best Documentary 2023’ and ‘Best UK Documentary’ in the **London International Filmmakers**’ Festival Winter 2023.

Written, filmed, edited, narrated, directed and produced by Rose Collis, creator of the multi-award winning film*, The Boy and The Bear*.

**Screening of *ONE FOR THE BOOKS: THE MAUPIN MARATHON* \+ Q&A with its creator Rose Collis on Saturday, April 13, 4pm at HYPHA STUDIO, Priory Meadow, Hastings TN34 1PH.**  

**Free, cash donations on the door. Book** [**HERE**](https://filmfreeway.com/HastingsRocks/tickets?ref=scenemag.co.uk)