Hebden Bridge Picture House, Claire Caulfield
If you’ve never visited an indie cinema, you’re missing out. Miles away from spending £100 for four people on a big budget film, with people kicking the back of your seat – independent cinemas show far more interesting films from independent producers, and instead of big buckets of popcorn and coke, it’s more likely that you simply enjoy the film, then go for a drink and meal at the indie pub next door afterwards. Independent Cinema Office lists those closest to you.
If you don’t have an independent cinema near you, there’s a fairly easy way to start one. You just find someone (like the pub landlord) who holds the license to watch films and sell beer, then people can watch films, perhaps upstairs in a pub or restaurant. This happens a lot for transition towns, where people tend to always support local, rather than see money go out of their towns to shareholders.
start your own independent cinema
The cinema should be a nice experience. Go out with some friends to view a nice film on release, have some cola and a bucket of popcorn, then amble back home. In truth, most cinemas these days are owned by huge companies and rarely put out interesting arthouse films. Four people enjoying a fizzy drink and popcorn along with the cinema tickets, can set you back £100 or more.
This smartphone projector offers a ready-made mini cinema to view favourite movies on the wall with up to 8 times magnification, using just your phone. It reflects the image through a glass lens (so any text or subtitles will reverse). Keep lens out of direct sunlight. Not for children under 14.
There are alternative independent cinemas around, so check these out as they often have good films and a much nicer olde-worlde style atmosphere. They also tend to be run for the love of film, rather than solely for money. You can find a list nationwide at Independent Cinema Office.
It’s quite complicated with licenses et al, but another idea is to start your own independent cinema, for the benefit of your local community. The free guide includes info on suitable buildings and technical considerations to costs, programming, marketing, staff and finding an audience. It also includes case studies from very small to very large venues, where you can hear the personal experiences and insights of people who have launched one.
Or do what Transition Towns do, and organise film screenings in rooms over your local pub etc, which likely already have licenses to play films and music, and serve food and drink etc. In Devon, the independent Barn Cinema is set within a beautiful 14th century building, and often works with the local Transition Town to show films that are about environmental and community issues.
