Last week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with FilmSoc President, Petrina Shek. What was intended to be a routine interview about the society and its operations quickly evolved into an hour-long deep dive into our shared love of cinema, the role of gender in film, and what makes Edinburgh’s Film Society truly unique. Within minutes, it became clear that Petrina is not only eloquent and insightful but also a passionate leader, who has shaped the society in remarkable ways.
Petrina first discovered FilmSoc in her first year, drawn in by an unconventional Valentine’s Day screening of Decision to Leave, a South Korean neo-noir mystery about a detective who falls for the enigmatic widow of a dead man. Not your typical rom-com, but that’s exactly what captivated her. “Now that is a society I wanted to join,” she recalls.
After serving as Social Secretary in 2023/24, she decided to run for President—partly out of her deep love for the society and partly because no other women were running. She felt it was important to ensure the committee wasn’t entirely male, and clearly, her instincts were right: her leadership has ushered in meaningful changes that have made FilmSoc more engaging and accessible than ever. Since taking on the role, Petrina has revamped the society in several ways. She scrapped the separate Monday “film discussion” meetings in favor of post-screening conversations on Sundays, making it easier for members to connect. Despite the inherently silent nature of film screenings, FilmSoc has thrived as one of the most social societies at Edinburgh, offering events like Letterboxd Match-Ups, Movie Mafia, and an upcoming Oscars Watch Party on March 3, 2025. The society’s popularity is undeniable. With a screening capacity of 80 in Upper Hall Pleasance, they frequently reach full attendance and even have to turn people away—a testament to the demand for the carefully curated film lineup.
Leading a society comes with its hurdles, and being the only woman on the FilmSoc committee brings a unique set of challenges. While this isn’t necessarily a drawback, it does highlight the broader dynamics of gender in film and student leadership. One example of this is the society’s approach to its Letterboxd Match-Ups, a social event where members are paired based on their film preferences. Initially, matchups were one-on-one, but Petrina recognized that this format could be intimidating, especially for first-years who might not be as confident in voicing their opinions against seasoned film enthusiasts. To make the experience more inclusive, she switched to group discussions, ensuring that all members, regardless of their film knowledge, felt welcome to share their thoughts.
Programming each semester’s film schedule is no small task. Petrina personally oversees the selection process, striving to balance mainstream favorites, niche picks, and canonical classics. But it’s not just about variety—the committee also takes ethical considerations into account. They conduct race and gender representation checks and use the “Rotten Apples” database to ensure none of their selected films involve cast or crew members with histories of sexual misconduct. Once films pass these criteria, the final lineup is determined by popular vote.
Of course, no interview with a FilmSoc President would be complete without discussing personal favourites. Petrina’s Letterboxd Top 4? Aftersun, Confessions, Phantom Thread, and Little Women. While each of these films could warrant an article of their own, it’s refreshing to see a president who doesn’t feel the need to feign an obsession with only canonical “classics”—instead, she champions the films she genuinely loves, as all cinephiles should. As for the Oscars, she revealed that she’d be hosting a watch party for Emilia Pérez with friends, though her opinions on it remains under wraps for now. One thing is certain: as much as she enjoys the awards, she, like any true film lover, finds herself deeply invested in the results every year.
Gone are the days when cinema was reserved for self-proclaimed film bros debating Hitchcock’s greatest shots. Under Petrina’s leadership, the society has continued to produce a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming community where anyone with a passion for cinema can find a place. Whether you’re a devoted cinephile or just looking for a great film to watch on a Sunday evening, EUFilmSoc is proving that film appreciation should be accessible, engaging, and, above all, fun.
Image Credit to Petrina Shek