Update - February 2024

It’s been some time since our last update. This isn’t because nothing has been happening  -  quite the opposite.

The Wade Centre, which is already a wonderful venue, is currently being updated to ensure it will be a suitable venue for the Film Theatre.

Installing our existing equipment there has been a priority for us and we have been extremely fortunate to have been helped by a very experienced engineer, who has given his time freely to the project. He made an assessment of our needs on an initial visit suggesting ways costs could be cut and second hand or repaired equipment could be used, and has been overseeing the project. Our damaged projector has now been repaired and is in place in the projection box, all up and running.

We have also hit some snags along the way. Our old server no longer works so we are hoping to raise enough funds for a new one (approximately £9,000), and because the new venue is larger we need a new screen to be built to fit. (approximately £17,000).

We have approached the BFI and ICO to help with funding, but they are unable to fund capital equipment. They remain extremely keen to see us re-open and we are hoping that they will be able to give us a strategic award for programming and audience development, which will be excellent for the Film Theatre.

Since we set up the JustGiving account, with Gift Aid a total of  £4,190 has been donated. We would like to thank those of you who have contributed to that. The funds raised so far have gone towards re-wiring the Wade Centre to connect to the projector, the speakers and the lights, which as you can imagine, has been a very big job. About 90% of that part of the installation has been completed so far.

Once we have the funding for a new screen, a server, the rest of the installation and the commissioning of the projector  -  we will be ready to go!!

We are all looking forward to welcoming the public to our special independent cinema.

Update - November 2023

Although we were aiming to re-open in January, and we’ve been working very hard to achieve this, there is still a lot to do before we can announce an opening date.

We have launched a JustGiving page so that supporters can contribute to the re-launch fund. 

North Staffordshire Regional Film Theatre -
Relaunch of the Film Theatre in Stoke

The Film Theatre has found a new home at The Wade Centre in Hartshill. 

Before we can reopen, we need to equip the venue to be able to provide the most enjoyable independent cinema experience, bringing back the magic of the big screen and the shared joy of cinema.

We are a charity, run by volunteers, and we're looking to the community for support. 

Join us as we work to recreate The Film Theatre for the people of Stoke-on-Trent.

Our Story

In March 2020, the Independent Film Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent shut down due to Covid. Now, we've found a new home at The Wade Centre in Hartshill, but there's work to be done.

To transform our new venue into a haven for film-goers, we need your support. The prolonged closure has left our existing projection equipment in need of tender care and new fittings including a screen, curtains and acoustic walls are needed. The equipment needs to be installed and cabling run to suit the new location – every detail requires funding.

Your contribution isn't just about bringing independent cinema back to Stoke-on-Trent; it's about reviving a cultural hub that means so much to so many. Our Film Theatre isn't just a place to watch films; it's a gathering space for the community, a source of shared experiences.

Join us in this effort to get The Film Theatre up and running again.
https://justgiving.com/campaign/stokefilmtheatre

Update - September 2023

We are delighted to tell you that the Film Theatre has a new home.  We are moving to the Wade Centre in Hartshill, a very suitable venue with a car park attached.

It will be some time before we are up and running because we will have to fit the new venue out as a public cinema and this will involve some fundraising and lots of hard work. We will be applying for funds and if these are forthcoming then our aim is to re-launch in early 2024, our fiftieth anniversary year.

Most of you will be aware of the history of the Film Theatre and will therefore know that we are a registered charity and without the generosity of volunteers we would not be able to function.

We hope there will be lots of people who will give their time voluntarily to re-launch and make the Film Theatre great again!

If you would like to be involved please drop a line to director@stokefilmtheatre.org.uk

Update - October 2022

We are planning to reopen the Film Theatre as soon as this is agreed with the University.

As you know, the Film Theatre was closed in 2020 due to coronavirus and it has been closed ever since due to circumstances outside our control.

While we had to make our part-time staff redundant in 2020, our core team of voluntary staff – director, programmer, treasurer, company secretary, technical engineer - have remained in place and the governors and trustees have met regularly throughout. 

We will continue to depend on the commitment of our projectionists, Front of House volunteers and our valued audiences, without whom we would not function, and will be relying on them to support the Film Theatre as they have so loyally in the past.  

The Film Theatre organisation continues to be viable and as soon as we have the go ahead from the University we will be installing new projection equipment.

We hope that we can continue to rely on your support and will inform you once the arrangements for reopening have been finalised.

Update - July 2022

Unfortunately, we are still not in a position to announce a confirmed reopening date for the Film Theatre. 

We have been working towards finalising a formal agreement with Staffordshire University and until this is in place we simply cannot reopen. We are frustrated that this is taking much longer than anticipated and are continuing to hope that the University will get this unsatisfactory situation resolved as soon as possible.

We have a plan for reopening and as soon as we have the agreement in place, we can put that plan in to action.

We really appreciate everyone’s patience and are looking forward to being able to commence screening films very soon.

Death of Gerald Mee, former chair of Film Theatre governors

We were very sorry to hear of the death of Gerald Mee on 16th March at the age of 96.

Gerald was a member of the Board of Governors of the Film Theatre from its inception in 1974 and Chair of the Governors from 1979-2015.

He remained a member of the Governors after this and contributed to Zoom meetings during lockdown.  He always maintained a cool head and sharp perception beneath a disarming and low key approach.  He joined the governors as a representative of Stoke Cine and Video Society and was also Vice President of the Film and Video Institute and former President of the International Association of Amateur Film Festivals. 

He was a caring man and his actions improved the lives of many people.

You can read more about Gerald's long and interesting life here.

Update - November 2021

Whilst we had hoped to be able to bring you more positive news, at this point in time we still have no definite time scale for the reopening of the Film Theatre.

Although there are currently fewer restrictions in place, we do not feel that we can currently operate the theatre in a manner that would be as safe for both patrons and volunteers as we would wish.

We are continuing to assess the situation and fully intend to return when circumstances allow.

When we have news, we will post it here.

Thank you for your support.

Film Theatre Update - May 2021

We would like to assure our patrons that the Film Theatre will be reopening, and that we are looking forward to drawing back the curtains of Stoke-on-Trent’s independent cinema once again.

Unfortunately, we do not have a timescale for this and uncertainty clouds when our silver screen will return to life.

Our relaunch date will be announced once Covid related obligations are removed and we are able to offer a good selection of films. Then we will be able to present safe and unrestricted screenings at the Film Theatre with equanimity.

As soon as we have news, advance notice and our new screening programme will be posted here and on our social media.

Film Theatre Update - October

Sadly the Film Theatre remains closed due to the ongoing Covid situation. Whilst we had hoped to be able to re-open in the Autumn, the current situation means that we have been unable to do so. We realise that this will be as much of a disappointment to our audience as it is to our volunteers.

The Film Theatre was founded in 1974 and has operated uninterrupted since then thanks to its dedicated volunteers and its loyal and enthusiastic audience. We are confident that when circumstances allow, we will be able to return to screening films.

We are keeping the situation under review and will provide an update when we have further information.

Celebrating 20 Years of the Film Theatre Website

The original 2000 design

It was early in 2000 when the Film Theatre decided to take its first steps onto the world wide web.

The original version of website was set up by Warren Tomson, one of our volunteer projectionists. It was put together with the help of a library book on html and the Notepad programme on a PC running Windows 3.1. Updates were uploaded to a Freeserve domain using a dial up internet connection. It goes to show not only how much the technology has moved on but how much we have come to rely on the internet in the last 20 years.

Version 2

Sadly Warren passed away suddenly in July 2000, not long after the website first went live.

Since that time Robert has been involved in keeping the website going; developing the original design, moving the website to a proper domain and launching the blog to handle the weekly email updates. Noel later became involved in the design aspects of the site and implemented the more modern content management system. We also partnered with Tor Systems who handle the online booking and payment system for us. Between them they continue to keep the website, blog and mailing list running today.

Today

Film Theatre Update - July

Please find below an update on how the current situation continues to affect the Film Theatre.

The Covid-19 virus situation continues to prevent us from screening films, and we have now entered the summer period when we would have traditionally shutdown. Being closed at this time feels like the only Film Theatre convention that we will be observing during these strange days.
We are following guidance and developments as they emerge and we hope to resume showing films in the autumn. Further information will follow here and on our social media when circumstances allow well-founded plans to be made. 

Film Theatre Director

Stop press... Online screening this Thursday

The Film Theatre extends you an invitation to join us in watching BACARAU on Thursday evening as originally scheduled. In keeping with these strange days, we are abandoning our embargo in twittering electronic devices for a collective streaming of Kleber Mendonça Filho’s entertaining and unpredictable contemporary revenge western.

Bacurau

BACURAU (18)

Thu 9 Apr 7.45pm
Returning to her matriarchal village after the death of her grandmother, Teresa finds that Bacurau is in dire straits. Basic amenities are in short supply, its mobile-phone coverage is fading and the tanker that brings drinking water arrives riddled with bullet holes. Upon discovering that not only has the Brazilian government abandoned them, it has also erased them from the map, Bacurau’s population of rebels, outsiders, hippies, whores and queers mobilise themselves.
Director, Kleber Mendonça Filho recasts his Aquarius star, Sonia Braga, and also draws Udo Kier to a genre blurring revenge western. Redolent of Alejandro Jodorowsky, Sergio Leone and John Carpenter in its stylings, Bacurau is darkly sardonic and pleasurably complex.
Brazil/France (Portuguese and English dialogue with English subtitles), 2019, 131 mins

Further information regarding scenes used by the BBFC to determine the film's certification, may be found at the extended classification link - please note that this page contains spoilers.

How to access

The Film Theatre is offering a subscription to Bacarau’s streaming platform Mubi. An added bonus is continued access to Mubi’s curated slate of independent, arthouse and classic films free of charge for the next three months.
Follow this link to register in time for this Thursday's viewing.

Please feel free to share your thoughts, witticisms and spoiler free comments with us on Twitter or Facebook.

Film Theatre closed until further notice

Covid-19 virus situation

We have been concerned that quite a large proportion of our audiences come into the ‘at risk’ category so we decided, ahead of Government and University guidelines, that the Film Theatre would close with effect from 14 March 2020.

Further updates will be posted here as we have them.

Week commencing 9 March

Parasite

Tuesday 10 March
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD (PG)

Wednesday 11 March
BIDDULPH ON THE BIG SCREEN - Film Archive - Free Admission

Thursday 12 March
FIRST LOVE (15)

Friday 13 and Saturday 14 March
PARASITE (15)
Fully booked for Friday. A limited number of tickets will be available on the night on a first come first served basis.

New programme now available to book

Details of our next programme are now available on the website and online booking is open.

Some highlights this season include:

• Emma.
• Greed
• True History of the Kelly Gang
• Dark Waters
• Military Wives
• Misbehaviour

A pdf of the printed programme is also available.

Week commencing 2 March

The Lighthouse

Tuesday 3 March
THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD (PG)

Wednesday 4 March - 6.00pm
EVINCE '20 - Student Films

Thursday 5 March
A HIDDEN LIFE (12A)

Friday 6 and Saturday 7 March
THE LIGHTHOUSE (15)

Parasite tickets selling fast

The screening of Parasite on Friday 13th March is heavily booked. There will be a limited number of tickets available to purchase on the night on a first come, first served basis.

At the time of writing there remains good availability for the Saturday screening.

Week commencing 24 February

David Copperfield

Tuesday 25 February
MR JONES (15)
Introduced by Peter Haimes, professor of film.

Wednesday 26 February - 6.00pm
ARRIVE '20 - Student Films

Thursday 27 February
TALKING ABOUT TREES (PG)

Friday 28 and Saturday 29 Februray
++ Matinée at 3.00pm on Saturday ++
THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD (PG)

Week commencing 17 February

1917

Tuesday 18 February
1917 (15)

Wednesday 19 February
DON’T MISS THE BUS! - Film Archive - Free Admission

Thursday 20 February
1917 (15)

Friday 21 February
BOMBSHELL (15)

Week commencing 10 February

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Tuesday 11 February
JOJO RABBIT (12A)

Wednesday 12 February
TRIUMPH OF THE TRAM - Film Archive - Free Admission

Thursday 13 February
BE NATURAL: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALICE GUY BLANCHE (PG)

Friday 14 February
PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE (15)

Saturday 15 February
1917 (15)