Revive Oswestrys ONLY community cinema

Funded on
26 Aug 2025

Maona seeks to revive Oswestrys only community cinema that is a mirror to everyone’s culture. We aim to create a space that provides a shared experience, evokes emotions and reduces social isolation.

£37,982 Raised of £37,980

176 Backers

100%

Updates

Revive Oswestrys ONLY community cinema published their Delivery Report!1 month ago

THANK YOU10 months ago

Dear Friends and Supporters, From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every single person who donated, pledged, and stood by our campaign. What started as just a dream has grown into something real and tangible—made possible entirely because of you. Your generosity, encouragement, and belief in our vision have transformed an idea into a movement, and we could not be more grateful. Soon, we will be opening our doors, and it will be an honour to welcome you into the very space that you helped bring to life. This is not just our achievement—it’s yours. We are beyond excited for what’s ahead, and we look forward to sharing this journey with you every step of the way. With deepest gratitude, The Maona Team

Revive Oswestrys ONLY community cinema hit its fundraising target!10 months ago

Brilliant news, thanks everyone!

46 Donations worth £2,22710 months ago

10 months ago We've hit our target

Anonymous pledged £2,40010 months ago

170 backers!

170 people have backed Revive Oswestrys ONLY community cinema!10 months ago

Whoop, 170 people have pledged since fundraising began!

Philippa Cornforth pledged £20010 months ago

160 backers!

160 people have backed Revive Oswestrys ONLY community cinema!10 months ago

Whoop, 160 people have pledged since fundraising began!

Anonymous pledged £32010 months ago

http://www.maona.art

Maona is an organisation founded by Tatenda Jamera, a filmmaker and curator, in response to the lack of authentic stories being exhibited on the big screen. The name "Maona," meaning "you have seen" in the Shona language from Zimbabwe, reflects the organization's passion for allowing others to see and experience stories through film and art. Over the last 4 years, we have worked with cinemas like Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds, The Garden Cinema in London, Sheffield Showroom in Sheffield, Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford and Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham.

Tatenda is a board member of the Ultimate Picture Palace based in Oxford and part of the steering group which is currently in the process of developing plans to enhance the experience of the 100-year-old single screen cinema. He is also a trustee of Cinema For All, which focuses on enhancing and creating community screenings in regions across the UK through making films and equipment accessible for communities. He has also participated in the Barbican emerging curators programme and the BFI innovation lab for curators. Most recently he has completed the prestigious Art House Cinema Training 2024 by CICAE in Berlin, Germany. As an active member of the Cinema Theatre Association, he also has a passion of saving cinemas within communities and making sure that they thrive for more generations to come providing that cultural experience that is pivotal and significant within communities.

For two years, Maona Art had been working with Kinokulture which was the only cinema in Oswestry town before its closure in 2024. Preceding this Maona Art has stepped in with a vision to continue to offer the community of Oswestry a wide selection of films on a regular basis. With no other cinema close by, this is an important step for Maona to continue to be able to serve the community of Oswestry and its surroundings, giving that much needed cinema experience that the town longs for.

Project Owner: Maona Art The Project Owner takes legal responsibility for receiving and spending the funds raised and ensuring the project is delivered.