Skip to main content

Widescreen Weekend

Widescreen Weekend is a unique festival of large-screen formats and cinema technologies celebrating the past, present and future of film.

Enjoy a long weekend of big, bold and wide cinema experiences as we showcase the museum’s fantastic projection facilities. Glorious 70mm screenings, new Cinerama restorations and great guests will remind you why going to the movies is so magical.

Information

What is Widescreen Weekend?

Widescreen Weekend is a festival which focuses on screening a blend of classic and contemporary film, all of which showcase the widescreen aspect ratio using Pictureville Cinema’s world-class projection facilities and highly skilled projectionists. The festival honours the legacy of widescreen films developed during the ratio race of the 1950s and 1960s which strived to offer cinemagoers a new and immersive way to watch film.

At Pictureville Cinema, you can experience Cinerama, the invention that sparked the ‘Widescreen War’ in 1952. This pioneering technology utilizes three synchronized projectors to project images onto a deeply curved and wide screen, accompanied by 7-track surround sound. Pictureville is currently the only remaining operating Cinerama venue in the world.

Learn more about Cinerama here.

Join us for a long weekend of captivating cinema this September and experience glorious print 35mm and 70mm screenings, Cinerama restorations, insightful talks and events that will reignite your love for the magical experience of going to the movies.

Festival passes and tickets

Festival passes are now on sale and will act as your QR code ticket for all screenings. When you buy a pass, you will also be required to select a seat in Pictureville. This seat will be yours for the duration of the festival. Screenings in Cubby Broccoli will be unallocated and on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Our The Dark Knight Trilogy marathon is ticketed separately. Passholders will require an additional ticket to attend and are entitled to a discount when buying a festival pass at the same time.

Prices

Full pass: £140 / £120 Concession* / £60 Under 25s

Pictureville Members: Make sure you’re logged in and we’ll automatically apply your Pictureville membership benefits which includes 20% off the price of a festival pass.

*Concessions available to those over 60 and anyone receiving disability benefits, income support or Job Seekers’ Allowance. 

Programme

Discover the full programme for our unmissable weekend of classic and epic cinema this September, the way it’s meant to be seen on the big screen.  

Explore the Widescreen Weekend 2025 programme here.

More information

With thanks to