15+ films are back for BYOB!

The Bring Your Own Baby (BYOB) strand at Hyde Park Picture House offers a welcoming and relaxed cinema experience designed especially for parents and carers with babies under 12 months. These weekly daytime screenings provide the opportunity to enjoy a carefully curated programme of new releases, classics and independent films in a baby-friendly environment, with captioned screenings, lower sound levels and softer lighting. Seating is unreserved, and capacity is limited to ensure a comfortable experience with plenty of space to spread out, move around and feed little ones.  

More than just a film screening, BYOB provides an opportunity for parents and carers to connect with others, enjoy a moment of culture and entertainment, and experience the magic of cinema without worrying about disturbing fellow audiences. The strand reflects Hyde Park Picture House's commitment to making cinema accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for everyone at every stage of life. 

While we pride ourselves on creating a safe, friendly and relaxed environment for babies, our BYOB screenings are ultimately designed for the enjoyment and wellbeing of parents and carers. We are therefore delighted to announce that, following a recent change to our licence supported by Leeds City Council, we will soon be able to include films above a 12A in our BYOB programme. This will allow audiences to enjoy some of the most exciting new releases available. Clear certification guidance and content information will be provided to help parents and carers make informed decisions about the films they choose to attend with their babies. 

To celebrate this exciting development, we are hosting a special BYOB screening as part of Baby Week, the national campaign that brings together health, education, early years and community organisations to champion the importance of giving every child the best possible start in life. 

On Wed 18 Nov at 11:00, we will be screening Wicker, a funny and heartwarming fantasy starring Olivia Colman as a fisherwoman who feels out of place in her small village. When she jokingly asks for a husband made from wicker, played by  Alexander Skarsgård, her unusual wish unexpectedly comes to life, setting in motion a charming tale of love, acceptance and community. Filled with whimsical characters, gentle humour and a touch of fairy-tale magic, Wicker offers an uplifting and imaginative escape for parents and carers. 

Following the screening, we will be joined by midwives from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for a Meet the Midwives drop-in session, offering advice, support and practical guidance for expectant and new families. Our friends at Child Friendly Leeds will also be providing complimentary snacks and treats for anyone who would like to stay after the screening, chat with fellow parents and carers, and build connections within the local community.