Programming & education

With an educational remit built into its charitable status, the cinema has made this a key focus. Initiatives range from weekly programme notes for Monday night films, monthly discussion events, to regular Q&As with directors, producers, screenwriters and critics. Film education courses have proved popular as have workshops for youngsters in film make-up and shadow puppetry. In 2009 a successful Young People’s Film Festival was mounted, with the aim of introducing youngsters to films outside the mainstream, with 10 films over a weekend, a selection of shorts, guest speakers and workshops. This was followed by a 90 second film competition. It is planned that both these events will be repeated.