- Widescreen Weekend returns to the National Science and Media Museum’s Pictureville Cinema from 13-16 October to mark the 70th anniversary of the process that started it all, Cinerama, in the last remaining three strip theatre in the world.
- Full festival programme is available, and tickets are now on sale via the National Science and Media Museum’s website.
Tickets are now on sale for the popular film festival, Widescreen Weekend at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford. The festival returns to the museum on 13–16 October with the UK premiere of newly restored The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm at Pictureville Cinema, which has the only remaining public Cinerama screen in the world.
This unique annual festival of big, bold cinema experiences and technologies celebrates the past, present and future of film. This year’s diverse programme includes screen heritage, cult favourites and new restorations, along with special guests and fringe events. Hosted by the Museum with Pictureville’s unique projection facilities in Bradford, UNESCO’s first City of Film.
Using projectors to show three images simultaneously to produce an ultra-wide picture, Cinerama is the ultimate immersive cinema experience. This year’s festival will mark 70 years of Cinerama with daily screenings to experience the ground-breaking and historically significant process. ‘Cinerama is 70’ celebration films include The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm, The Best of Cinerama, How the West Was Won and Circus World.
This year's festival will also celebrate women in widescreen, both on screen and behind the camera, with ‘Rebels and Dames’, developed in collaboration with film academic and programmer Alice Miller. ‘Rebels and Dames’ will include a screening of 1954’s A Star is Born to honour the centenary of the ultimate dame, Judy Garland.
Other programme strands include ‘Restorations and Rediscoveries’ a collection of films to help rediscover the magic of widescreen, which features a special screening of Licorice Pizza in 70mm. The ‘Widescreen History of the World’ strand returns to the festival, exploring the influence and impact of the Victorians and the Industrial Revolution; whilst ‘Widescreen in the City’ sees the museum partner with community cinemas and other venues across Bradford district to offer complimentary screenings.
Kathryn Penny, Head of Screen and Cultural Engagement, said: “We are delighted that individual tickets are now on sale for this year’s Widescreen Weekend. This year is even more special as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Cinerama as the last remaining Cinerama screen in the world, offering an incredibly unique experience for our guests. There is a truly fantastic line-up with daily opportunities to experience the wonders of this ground-breaking and historic film process, alongside cult favourites, new restorations, special guests, events and tours. Widescreen Weekend is a unique festival that can take you on an immersive adventure around the globe without leaving Bradford, so we cannot wait to welcome our festivalgoers back to the big screens.”
The festival programme also features special guests who will be giving talks or introductions ahead of screenings. This year will welcome writer, historian and broadcaster Professor Sir Christopher Frayling who will be introducing The Charge of the Light Brigade on Friday, 14 October. Samira Ahmed, journalist and BBC broadcaster will be introducing Oliver! on Saturday 15 October while writer, broadcaster and historian Matthew Sweet will be introducing Sweet Charity on Sunday, 16 October, plus many more.
To compliment the festival’s programme and Bradford’s unique film heritage, there will be a selection of fringe events happening across the weekend. Festivalgoers can join a unique heritage tour of 100 years of Bradford’s film history, led by David Wilson, Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film. There will also be opportunity to explore the museum’s latest exhibition, Switched On, with guided tours led by the museum’s curator to bring the objects and stories of the last 100 years of broadcasting to life.
To book festival tickets and for full programme details, visit our webiste.
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More information about Pictureville Cinema.
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Notes to Editors
For more information, interviews, and images please contact Brittany Noppe, Senior Press Officer on Brittany.Noppe@scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk or 01274 203356
A press pack of images can be downloaded via WeTransfer.
The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, West Yorkshire, opened in 1983, and has since become one of the most visited UK museums outside London. It draws on more than three million objects from its national collection to explore the science and culture of image and sound technologies, and their impact on our lives.
The Museum creates special exhibitions, interactive galleries and activities for families and adults, and is home to Pictureville, Yorkshire’s biggest independent cinema with three screens including the most immersive IMAX in the region and the only public Cinerama venue in the world. Entry to the Museum is free. www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk
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