MEET OUR TEAM
Directors/Trusties
Aysegul Epengin
CEO
Founder of Portsmouth Film society, from 2009, and coordinator and programmer. She is a Part-time Video Tutor at the University Of Portsmouth. I will continue to be an advocate and champion for specialised cinema exhibition. I do not have a favorite film any more, my favorite films are not my favorites and anything new and original make me live.
Rob Smith/ Film Programmer
Hi. I’m Rob Smith, retired secondhand bookseller and cat & fox fan. I’ve been interested in films and cinema history since my teens and was involved with the previous Portsmouth Film Society back in the 1970s and 1980s as well as the Rendezvous cinema which showed movies back in the 1980s. My favourite movie is Young Mr. Lincoln, from 1939, directed by John Ford, and which I first saw 50+ years ago, but there are plenty of others I like and find interesting as well as a huge list of ones yet to watch. Became involved when I was asked to programme films for the Wednesday afternoon ‘Classic film’ season…
Rabia Harper-Ronald
Director / Trustee
I am always on the go, but also always look for any opportunity to socialize with friends or chill with a good romcom.
Chris J. Martin
Director / Trustee
is a poet and art historian, former librarian, involved with Portsmouth Film Society for over 10 years, with an interest in classic, cult, and world cinema. Chris has reviewed recordings of film music for the Journal of British Cinema and Television. He believes in helping provide the community with a diverse programme of arts, entertainment, education, and social and well-being events.
David Marks
Trustee
David Marks lives in Gosport. A community activist, supplier of AV / filmmaking equipment and a strategic IT and business consultant. David is a founder of Repair Café Gosport and Gosport Community Cinema.
Karl Brinkley
Treasurer
My favourite film Paint Your Wagon.My pastimes include swimming, ballroom and latin dancing and DIY if the task is easy.I spent 40 years in accounting and did teach accountancy for a while.When I lived in Hounslow I stood as a paper candidate for the Green Party in the local elections ang got 254 votes(hoorah).I have a twin son and daughter who live in New Zealand.
Lee Mason
Trustee
Lee Mason has been a city councillor for the ward of Cosham for over 20 years
including serving as Chair of Langstone Harbour Board, Health Overview Scrutiny
Panel, Licensing and Transport Environment and Culture Scrutiny Panel as well as
the Cabinet member for Resources. Actively involved in all the cities twinning and
international links he was also the Lord Mayor in 2018. One of his biggest
achievements on the council was beginning the Solar panel scheme that took the
council from having zero to being the top city for Green energy in the country.
Outside of the council he has an interest in travel, culinary delights, hockey, theatre
and international film and television. Whilst in college he would sneak into the media
studies lectures to watch the films on the curriculum and is the proud owner of over
700 DVDs and probably double that number of books. He also helped run a Roller
Hockey team and worked for the Swedish Inline Hockey Federation.
Amongst his favourite films are ‘Interview with a Vampire’, ‘Fried Green Tomatoes at
the Whistle Stop Café’, ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, ‘Twin Town’ and ‘Purely Belter’
Local Builders Support Team
Local Builder support Portsmouth cinema society.
Volunteers
Hilary Gainford
Volunteer Coordinator
Hilary Gainford moved to Southsea permanently a year ago after working abroad for many years in International Schools. She has worked as an Art Teacher, Primary Class Teacher, and Librarian.
While living in Budapest, Hilary enjoyed attending the various film festivals that were hosted there and has an interest in films that can transport the audience to places and cultures that are beyond its own personal experiences.
Hilary is helping to recruit and organise volunteers within our organisation.
Govindan Kartha
Volunteer Coordinator
Govindan is a recent transplant to Southsea/Portsmouth who loves film and music and independent cinema.
Hammad ALbachitie
Volunteer Digital Media Specialist
Hammad is an IT expert, his expertise is related for system admin, computer network and technical support. Also Hammad is skilled in graphic design, video editing and website support, design and admin. Hammad undergraduate in Business Administration / systems and holding two Masters degree from the University of Portsmouth in Information systems and in Business and Management. Hammad Joined PFS as a graphic designer and website support volunteer, because its very related for his interest which is the digital media and marketing. for more details please visit my Linkedin account.
Dyland Pank
Tech Volunteer
I am a Senior Teaching Fellow at the School of Media and Performing Arts in the Univesity of Portsmouth, teaching film and Video Production. I have been making and working on short films since the mid-90s, having studied filmmaking in Canada and Newcastle. I love science fiction cinema and still dream of electric sheep.
Peter Mclver
Volunteer
My raison d’etre is to be nice, that’s what I do. I’m interested in films, genres, directors, anything to do with cinema, and the opportunities to meet people PFS affords me.
Tom Bird
Front House & Marketing Volunteer
“Here’s Tom with the weather…”
Leyla Pank
Youth Coordinator
I am a junor committee member of the Portsmouth Film society, working on projects such as film clubs for youth. I am also an aspiring actor, you may often find me running concessions. Leyla is studying at Portsmouth City College Art and Drama.
John Ashlin
Volunteer
John is focused on supporting grassroots projects to nurture community & ecology through creativity and fun. One of his main roles is working as the Portsmouth Lead for Action Asylum. This is a national initiative with the mission of connecting asylum seekers with local communities, volunteering together to improve the neighbourhood and environment. My favourite film of 2025 is the Fawzia Mirza film ‘The Queen of my Dreams’.