Widescreen Weekend is a unique festival of large-screen formats and cinema technologies. Celebrating the past, present and future of film, this long weekend is packed with big cinema experiences, including glorious 70mm screenings and new Cinerama restorations—plus plenty of great guests.

Created to celebrate large-format film and showcase the Museum’s fantastic projection facilities, Widescreen Weekend formed part of Bradford International Film Festival for many years, and now runs as an expanded standalone festival.

Cinerama is a widescreen process that projects film simultaneously from three synchronized 35mm projectors onto a huge, deeply curved screen, creating one image. It was the first of a number of processes introduced during the 1950s when the film industry had to compete against television. Our Pictureville cinema is one of only three in the world that can still show 3-strip Cinerama in the way it was originally presented to audiences.

It’s a known fact that almost half of the films made before 1950 have been completely lost due to poor storage conditions and improper care. Can you imagine widescreen films such as Vertigo, Ben-Hur and Lawrence of Arabia being lost forever because of incorrect storage? Thankfully steps are being taken to help restore and preserve celluloid film to ensure we don’t lose any more important films and to bring classic films to new audiences.  

David Strohmaier of the Cinerama Restoration Team explains: “Nowadays most restorationists have turned to digital restoration. In fact, with digital, one can make the film images shed years of wear and tear to the point where they can look like they did when shown during their original releases more than 60-70 years ago.

Our new restoration of Windjammer is no exception, as now we can truly make this 3-panel film look like it did when it played from 1958 to 1964.  Without new digital restoration techniques, the film’s original elements were simply unusable.”

Pictureville—the spiritual home of Widescreen Weekend—was described by Lord Puttnam as ‘the best cinema in the world’. Its deeply curved, louvred screen makes the National Science and Media Museum one of only three public venues in the world that can still show Cinerama, in both 35mm and digital formats.

Back in 1952, Cinerama, an ultra-wide film format, was created to be the ultimate in immersive cinema; today, Pictureville also has the latest 4K digital projection system and fabulous 7.1 surround sound. Widescreen Weekend is your only opportunity to see Cinerama films on Pictureville's unique screen. Don't miss out!

In 2016 we celebrated the 20th edition of Widescreen Weekend. New faces met old friends as we delved into the past, present and future of film, with everything from widescreen classics to virtual reality. Our screenings included modern classics such as Aliens and Ghostbusters, alongside The Agony and the Ecstasy and Vertigo in 70mm, family favourite Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and the ever-popular Cineramacana.

Interactive virtual reality demos popped up around the museum, and our panel of experts debated the question of whether VR is the ultimate widescreen experience. We introduced our first ever student day, culminating in a screening of all eight short films shortlisted for the BKSTS Student Widescreen Film of the Year Competition.

As ever, we welcomed amazing special guests too. Actor, singer and star of The Golden Head Jess Conrad introduced a new digital remaster of this Cinerama comedy caper, showing at Widescreen Weekend in a European premiere. Before our screening of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Bond girl Jenny Hanley joined us for a discussion of her star-studded career in film, TV and radio.

Read more about Widescreen Weekend 2016 on our blog

Download brochures from previous Widescreen Weekends below:

• Widescreen Weekend 2015
• Widescreen Weekend 2014
• Widescreen Weekend 2013
• Widescreen Weekend 2012
• Widescreen Weekend 2011
• Widescreen Weekend 2010
• Widescreen Weekend 2009
• Widescreen Weekend 2008
• Widescreen Weekend 2007

The Midland Hotel, Forster Square, Bradford BD1 4HU

Our official festival hotel is The Midland Hotel. Located in Bradford city centre, it's an 8-minute walk from the National Science and Media Museum, with excellent transport and shopping links.

We've worked with The Midland Hotel to secure special rates for Widescreen Weekend delegates. This offer is valid between 12–15 October (inclusive). Quote 'Widescreen Weekend 2017' when you make your booking and you'll receive the following rates (prices shown are per night):

• 1 Night: £75 single B&B; £80 double B&B
• 2 Nights: £70 single B&B; £75 double B&B
• 3 Nights: £65 single B&B; £70 double B&B
• Executive upgrade: £20 per night

To book, call The Midland Hotel on +44 (0) 1274 735 735, or email rooms@midland-hotel-bradford.com, and quote 'Widescreen Weekend 2017'.

Follow Widescreen Weekend on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.

For delegate enquiries and to find out how you can get involved—including sponsorship opportunities—contact Rebecca Hill, Festival Coordinator
01274 202 031 / rebecca.hill@scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk

Festival Director: Kathryn Penny
01274 203 006 / kathryn.penny@scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk

Press and PR Manager: Phil Oates
01274 203 317 / phil.oates@scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk