Seb 147 2026

Reflection

Why I Started Sending Film Through the Post

On a love of film, unexpected connections, and a small yellow roll called Peter.

Film Pal started with a few rolls of expired film that I wanted to send out into the world rather than leave sitting in a drawer.

At first, I thought that was what Film Pal would be: expired film passed on to somebody else.

But then I realised I didn’t want to make rules around it.

I just wanted to share my love of film.

So now it can be old film.

New film.

Strange film.

A roll you’ve never tried before.

I send it out.

Film Pal started with a few rolls of expired film that I wanted to send out into the world rather than leave sitting in a drawer.

At first, I thought that was what Film Pal would be: expired film passed on to somebody else.

But then I realised I didn’t want to make rules around it.

I just wanted to share my love of film.

So now it can be old film.

New film.

Strange film.

A roll you’ve never tried before.

I send it out.

Film Pal started with a few rolls of expired film that I wanted to send out into the world rather than leave sitting in a drawer.

At first, I thought that was what Film Pal would be: expired film passed on to somebody else.

But then I realised I didn’t want to make rules around it.

I just wanted to share my love of film.

So now it can be old film.

New film.

Strange film.

A roll you’ve never tried before.

I send it out.

You put it in your camera and photograph whatever catches your attention.

Then, hopefully, you tag me or send me the photographs so I can see where it went and what you made with it.

Nothing complicated.

Just a little bit of film going out into the world.

But Film Pal isn’t only about the film.

It is also about connection.

Social media is a slightly peculiar place.

You can see someone’s photographs for years.

You recognise their work.

You know little bits about their life.

You occasionally leave a comment or a heart.

So, in a way, you know them.

But you also don’t.

There is something about sending an actual roll of film that changes that for me.

It is physical.

A little roll leaves my corner of the world and travels to somebody else’s.

They put it in their camera, take it into their world and photograph whatever catches their attention.

Things I would never have noticed, because they belong to their life, not mine.

Then, eventually, I get to see what they saw.

I really like that.

Two little worlds that might be hundreds or thousands of miles apart, somehow meeting through the same roll of film.

And then there is the other reason.

Play.

There is so much shit competing for our attention all the time.

Film Pal isn’t going to change any of that.

It is just a tiny interruption.

A mystery roll arrives through your letterbox and, for a little while, the question is simply:

What the hell am I going to photograph with this?

Maybe you go somewhere you wouldn’t normally go.

Maybe you photograph something completely pointless.

Maybe the film is wonderful.

Maybe it is absolutely terrible.

It doesn’t really matter.

For a little while, you are just looking, playing and making something.

And everything else can wait.

Once a month, a roll leaves my house and heads to somebody else’s.

That is Film Pal.

You put it in your camera and photograph whatever catches your attention.

Then, hopefully, you tag me or send me the photographs so I can see where it went and what you made with it.

Nothing complicated.

Just a little bit of film going out into the world.

But Film Pal isn’t only about the film.

It is also about connection.

Social media is a slightly peculiar place.

You can see someone’s photographs for years.

You recognise their work.

You know little bits about their life.

You occasionally leave a comment or a heart.

So, in a way, you know them.

But you also don’t.

There is something about sending an actual roll of film that changes that for me.

It is physical.

A little roll leaves my corner of the world and travels to somebody else’s.

They put it in their camera, take it into their world and photograph whatever catches their attention.

Things I would never have noticed, because they belong to their life, not mine.

Then, eventually, I get to see what they saw.

I really like that.

Two little worlds that might be hundreds or thousands of miles apart, somehow meeting through the same roll of film.

And then there is the other reason.

Play.

There is so much shit competing for our attention all the time.

Film Pal isn’t going to change any of that.

It is just a tiny interruption.

A mystery roll arrives through your letterbox and, for a little while, the question is simply:

What the hell am I going to photograph with this?

Maybe you go somewhere you wouldn’t normally go.

Maybe you photograph something completely pointless.

Maybe the film is wonderful.

Maybe it is absolutely terrible.

It doesn’t really matter.

For a little while, you are just looking, playing and making something.

And everything else can wait.

Once a month, a roll leaves my house and heads to somebody else’s.

That is Film Pal.

Oh — and Peter.

I was drawing a mysterious roll with ISO ?? and expiry date ??.

“Mysterious roll” made me think of Mysterious Girl.

That made me think of Peter Andre.

So I called him Peter.

Apparently he works here now.

He handles the administration.

Oh — and Peter.

I was drawing a mysterious roll with ISO ?? and expiry date ??.

“Mysterious roll” made me think of Mysterious Girl.

That made me think of Peter Andre.

So I called him Peter.

Apparently he works here now.

He handles the administration.

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Peter lives on Instagram.

That’s where the rolls go out. Keep your eyes peeled.

Peter lives on Instagram.

That’s where the rolls go out. Keep your eyes peeled.