Launching a new chapter at The Studio in Halton, Film With Pride will be bringing its first “socially-distanced cinema” event.
Taking place on Wednesday 14th October, there will be a screening of Pride, starring Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton and Dominic West. The programme has been sponsored by the Communications Workers Union (CWU)
All films for the Halton programme will be selected by members of GLOW @ The Studio, a group supporting LGBTQ+ young people aged 10 – 19 in Halton. The initiative has been developed with the support of LCR Pride Foundation, after The Studio hosted a screening of the Ken Loach film Sorry We Missed You on special community licence last December.
Following the event’s success, the venue wanted to continue developing an alternative cinema option for Halton, to explore messages relevant to its community and education, so its team turned to the organisers of the Liverpool chapter of Film With Pride for support.
Film With Pride forms part of LCR Pride Foundation’s year-round programme of social and cultural events. Showcasing the very best of LGBT+ cinema from around the world, it delivered monthly screenings at Picturehouse @ FACT, until lockdown in March 2020 took the programme online.
The GLOW group has already begun work on Halton chapter’s first Film With Pride programme, selecting films it feels the local community will benefit from seeing, to support acceptance and understanding of LGBT+ experiences. They will curate the programme with the help of experienced volunteers from Film With Pride’s Liverpool team.
In line with COVID-19 restrictions, The Studio will be reducing the capacity of the cinema space from 200 to 30, with handwashing facilities, hand sanitiser stations, bar pre-order forms and designated seats to ensure social distancing is adhered to and that guests and staff are kept safe.
To further reassure visitors, The Venue has also worked with the GLOW group to create a short video of the layout and precautions in place, which you can watch here.
Louise McNulty, from The Studio and LOOSE Charity, said:
“We have always been keen to bring in other organisations and wider region movements, as we are a small borough and we need to show we are not behind in our thinking and provision.
“We need to allow LGBTQ+ people to be visible in Halton and working with organisations like LCR Pride Foundation shows we are looking forward and not inward. Also through a consultation focused on the experiences and needs of the LGBTQ+ community in Halton, we want to show that we are a support, rather than a lead for LGBTQ+ community members.”
Andi Herring, Interim CEO, LCR Pride Foundation, said:
“LCR Pride Foundation is committed to working with organisations and venues across the city region to extend the message of Pride beyond the city centre and outside of the annual Pride in Liverpool celebrations in July.
“As an initiative Film With Pride collaborates to ensure the best in new and classic LGBT+ cinema can be seen right across the Liverpool City Region, creating chances to view films in a friendly, social setting. We’re excited to launch our first chapter outside of Liverpool borough and we can’t wait to work with the young people from GLOW and see the programme they curate.”
Film With Pride Halton Screenings will start at 7pm and there will be strict 10pm curfew, in line with Government restrictions. Tickets will be available via Eventbrite, with Pride available to book now – https://pridescreeningatthestudio.eventbrite.co.uk
Tickets will cost £3 including booking free and subsidised tickets will be available for members of GLOW group.
The Halton LGBT+ Consultation is open now until December 9th 2020, you can submit your responses here.
