HULL'S only arthouse cinema is set for a dazzling relaunch after finally being established at its new home.
Hull Screen, one of the oldest film theatres in the country, had faced an uncertain future since moving out of Central Library in Albion Street four years ago.
Dwindling audiences and concerns about the continued support of the city council had do
gged the independent cinema throughout its subsequent tenure at the George Street campus of Lincoln University.
It staged its last screening in George Street in March and was expected to move to the new seven-screen Reel Cinema in St Stephen's shopping centre in April or May. Despite further delays contracts have now been signed by Reel Cinema and the council, and Hull Screen will be officially relaunched with a champagne reception on September 3.
Although it is not being billed as such, Hull Screen is effectively having a dry run at Reel already, with a series of alternative,
non-mainstream films already being shown in one of the
theatres.
Confirmation of the relaunch has delighted the Friends of Hull Screen, a group formed nearly two years ago to lobby for its future and maintain its independence.
In conjunction with Hull Screen front-of-house manager Mark Ogden, the Friends will have almost complete control of the programming, which has delighted the group.
Co-founder and spokeswoman Susan Harr said: "We have asked members to feed suggestions for films which we can put to Mr Ogden.
"They are letting us have a pretty free hand with the programming and we are really pleased about that.
"It's a very nice venue with café bars and restaurants near by.
"Hull Truck Theatre is also nearby and that serves meals and coffees, which is brilliant and what we lacked at George Street but always had at the library.
"What we need to do is get people to come now. We must get the audiences because we've been waiting for this for a very long time.
"We are also going to reach out to schools and colleges to see what books are on the syllabus and if there are any films that would go with them.
"It's going to be hard work; we can't just hang up our hats and go and watch films."
The Friends are launching a recruitment drive for new members and offering annual membership deals for £5, which guarantee tickets for all films at a set price of £3.50. There will also be special membership events on the first Thursday of each month, when previews of forthcoming films will be shown.
Once up and running, the plan is for Hull Screen to have two screenings per day, at 1.30pm and 8pm, seven days a week, a significant increase on the stuttering George Street programme.
The Friends have chosen Broken Embraces as the first film to be shown at the new cinema.
Directed by Pedro Almodovar and starring Penelope Cruz, the picture is about the regeneration of film, reprising the themes explored in Cinema Paradiso, the last film shown at George Street in March.
The council has agreed to fund Hull Screen by about £100,000 a year for the next five years.
It is hoped the new location at St Stephen's will attract a new and wider audience.
Peter Appleton, the council's head of culture and lifestyle, said: "We are delighted by the move and the opportunity it gives Hull Screen to develop a sustainable future in a great location in the city centre. We consulted with, listened to and acted upon the needs of movie-goers who have formed the Friends of Hull Screen group and who are fully behind the move."
For more details visit www.friendsofhullscreen.co.uk.
