More films than ever before

While it’s been a pleasure to partner with so many amazing venues whilst On the Road, and screen films throughout the city, we've always been eager to get back into the cinema as soon as we could, to explore the new opportunities our expanded cinema would provide when it came to our public film programme.

With the introduction of our new second screen – which we'll be opening later in July – not will it allow us to increase the overall number of screenings, but we'll be able to bring even more independent, foreign language, documentary and artist films to Leeds. We'll also be able to show new films closer to their release dates, keep popular films playing for longer and do more one-off special events than was possible before. 

During our closure period, as well as thinking about long-running programme strands we were eager to resume – including Hyde & Seek, Creatures of the Night, Philosophy & Film and Bring Your Own Baby – we were also able to plan some exciting new strands, which would allow us to diversify our programme and reach new audiences. 

Cinema Africa!

The Picture House Project has provided the time and space for our Creative Engagement Officer, Mosa, to research, plan and create a new permanent strand dedicated to African cinema: Cinema Africa!

To get a sense of what the African community in Leeds would like this to look like, Mosa conducted local audience surveys, set up an advisory group and consulted Leeds African Community Trust. We’ve really enjoyed trialing some Cinema Africa! screening whilst on the road, but we’re even more excited to formally launch the strand in full party-style on Saturday 29th July with The Wedding Party which will have live African music and introductions. In early July, we're also proud to be partnering with Leeds International African Arts Festival 2023 to present a selection of excellent African films as part of this new strand.

Pavilion Presents

Visual arts organisation Pavilion work throughout the year to promote, commission and exhibit artist moving image work – including supporting artists via their Artist Moving Image Network.

We've been lucky enough to work closely with Pavilion over the years, on screenings and commissions, and we're thrilled to now be partnering with them on Pavilion Presents – a new permanent home for artists’ moving image in Leeds. 

This new programme strand will launch on 14th August with a screening of La Région Centrale, a milestone in avant-garde film, described by Jean Luc Godard as “pure cinema.”

Memory Matinees

We’re proud to say that it’s not just our building that has become more accessible because of The Picture House Project, but our programme too. After some successful trials shortly before we closed, our dementia-friendly Memory Matinees will continue to be a safe space for people with dementia and their loved ones to experience the magic of cinema.

With specially trained staff and volunteers, and new accessible facilities, we are able to create a welcoming space for audiences who might otherwise find the the cinema experience challenging. And thanks to the support of our amazing members and generous donations, we're pleased to be able to offer free tickets for all these screenings 

reRUN

A major new strand at the Picture House, reRUN presents a great new opportunity for us to explore the depths of cinema’s rich history. Combining analogue presentations, with dazzling new digital restorations, everything is ripe for rediscovery on the big screen!

Taking place on Sunday afternoons, our aim is for at least one screening a month to be shown on 35mm – ensuring we maintain this important format and heritage skill long into the future.

reRUN launches with an extra special screening of Yorkshire classic Brassed Off, where we'll be joined by the film's director Mark Herman for a live Q&A. 

Tuesday Wonders

Before we closed, our long-running Tuesday Wonders screenings included a broad mix of films – from docs and artist films, to classics and hidden gems. Now that our core programme has expanded and we’ve introduced new regular strands, there’s less need for this one to be quite so wide-ranging.

That's why Tuesday Wonders will now focus entirely on spotlighting the very best documentaries available, allowing us to champion great works of non-fiction every single week. The strand kicks-off with the Northern premiere of endearing new Dutch documentary Shabu, where we'll be joined by the film's director and star.