The idea
We want to offer a welcoming space for local people to come together and enjoy films including the latest independent and mainstream films, archive and local interest films, films by local filmmakers, shorts and much more - enhanced by talks and related activities for everyone to get involved in.
A Community Cinema would enhance Hadleigh Old Fire Station, already a thriving community hub in the centre of Hadleigh, Essex. The Appliance Hall where the fire engines used to be is now a vibrant multi-use space. A big screen was installed in 2013 and there’s seating for around 100 people. With parking and disabled access it’s an ideal venue.
Hadleigh Old Fire Station has hosted Pop-up Cinema events since it was converted in 2011 and we’ve relied on borrowing a basic projector, dvd player and speakers or using donated home hi-fi speakers and amplifier. They’ve served us well despite the odd technical hitch! We’d now like to buy our own equipment for a better cinema experience.
What we'll deliver
- Upgrade our projection equipment
- Upgrade our sound system
- Buy some cushions for our chairs
- Provide a mobile cinema experience for community groups in Castle Point
Why it's a great idea
We believe that film is one of the world’s most accessible art forms and going to the cinema, one of society's great shared experiences. Bringing that experience closer to home, making it more 'social', we aim to connect more of the community and make Hadleigh an even better place to live and work.
Our aim is to benefit the whole community by being friendly and accessible to everyone by offering 'relaxed' screenings for members of our community for whom getting to the cinema can be a bit more challenging.
We want to share our great idea with the wider community too. With a portable screen we can set up the cinema for clubs, charities and community groups throughout Castle Point and help them make the most of a film screening, organising everything needed for a successful event.
Steps to get it done
- Purchase equipment needed to launch the Community Cinema
- Launch Community cinema late September 2018
- From 2019, offer cinema for use by community groups
- Spring 2019 set out our 2019/20 programme
- Summer 2019, special screening promotional event to raise awareness
- From Autumn 2019, offer additional ‘relaxed’ screenings
In recognition of your donation we’ll include a list of all our backers to be projected onto the screen before each film.
