The Chiswick Cinema celebrated a one year anniversary on 25 June having opened during the pandemic last year. An exclusive Founder Members only evening on 23 June saw exclusive film previews NITRAM, THE PRINCESS, BRIAN & CHARLES and IT SNOWS IN BENIDORM, offered as a thank you for the support of Members who backed the cinema before it opened.

Complimentary drinks and food were offered as well as a chance to meet the management team and find out about all the events coming up in the cinema in the New Year.

The films were hand-picked by Kathryn Smith and Chris Parker to showcase the fantastic spectrum of experiences available in the cinema and make a bold statement as to the plans and programming for year two.

As part of their extended ethos to collaborate with a blossoming local community, the cinema also offered tickets for £5 tickets and 10% off food and drink as a thank you for the local area’s support. The day saw a cinema high of over 1000 admits in one day across shows from ELVIS to TOP GUN: MAVERICK. The cinema team look to continue such an offering occasionally in the future.

SATELLITE Q&A IS A FIRST FOR THE CHISWICK
In other news, The Chiswick Cinema rounded out a spectacular five film programme Pride programme with a screening of Peccadillo Pictures’ Swan Song on 29 June. Movies on Weekends’ Sarah Cook chaired a post-film Q&A with queer pioneer director Todd Stephens joining a sold out audience live from New York. A first satellite Q&A for the cinema saw a diverse audience of interests engage the director on subjects from queer identity, Roe Vs Wade to filmmaking styles. The Q&A is the first of many in the cinema’s second year and opportunities are welcome to be submitted to the team should any arise. The five screenings were part of a collaboration with West London Queer Project who seek to increase diversity in London and offer events for LGBTQ+ identifying people beyond just drinking and app based activity.

EXCLUSIVE STUDIO TOUR
Finally, as part of a new collaboration with Metropolis Recording Studios, The Chiswick Cinema offered an exclusive, money-can’t buy tour for Founder Members in tandem with Trafalgar Releasing’s George Michael Freedom Uncut. George recorded Listen Without Prejudice in Studio B back in 1990. As two world-leading Chiswick-based businesses, the cinema is proud to be forming a bold new partnership by bridging the gap between music and film with this and future events. The event is a key part of the cinema’s activity in redefining the cinema experience for a modern audience.