The Rio is an independent Art Deco picture palace in Dalston, Hackney. We show a mixture of arthouse and mainstream films, all programmed by the in-house team and shown on our single, full-sized silver screen.
Our building is Grade II listed by English Heritage, who admire the 'sweeping curves' of the Rio's 1930s auditorium. To add to the traditional cinema experience, we have plush red velvet seats, atmospheric music before the show, and long red curtains that swish back before the film starts.
We usually show one or two main feature films each week, plus late shows at the weekend, kids' screenings, Parent & Baby screenings and the popular Classic Matinees for the over 50s. We're a key venue for several film festivals, and home to the London Turkish Film Festival. We also host special events from the likes of Cigarette Burns Cinema and Amy Grimehouse. There's a stage in our auditorium, too, which means we can put on theatre, stand-up comedy, live music, talks and cabaret.
The Rio is run as a non -profit charity and we're very proud to be London's longest operating community cinema (nearly 40 years). We encourage local people to get involved by running affordable screenings for children and the over 50s, and a regular programme of educational school screenings. Local people can also hire the cinema or basement for educational, campaigning or fundraising events.
The Rio has a Board of Directors who are a group of local people elected each year to help set our policy and oversee the running of the cinema and charity.
