Film / News
Curzon shortlisted for Cinema of the Year
It’s easy to see why everyone who visits the Curzon cinema in Clevedon falls in love with the place. Celeb patrons include Terry Gilliam, Tony Robinson and all three Aardman bigwigs (Nick Park, Peter Lord, David Sproxton). With its original art deco features, steeply raked seating, and traditional cinema organ, this place is brimming with history. Look closely at the counter in the box office and you can even see the original ticket prices engraved on the surface, from a halfpenny upwards. The Curzon’s proud boast is that it is the oldest continually operated cinema in the world, having flung open its doors way back in 1912 – just after the RMS Titanic went down. In fact, the cinema’s very first screening was a special charity matinee for families of victims of the disaster.
The Curzon’s steeply raked seating
Now its many charms have been recognised by trade journal Screen International, which has shortlisted this great picture palace in its prestigious Screen Awards 2017. The cinema faces competition from 12 others in the Cinema of the Year (24 Screens or Fewer) category. That’s the same category in which the Watershed was shortlisted last year.
Curzon staff in their natty outfits
In addition to new releases, the Curzon screens classic films and hosts regular live shows, including comedy and music, as well as immersive events such as the recent Moulin Rouge Spectacular. Autism-friendly screenings are held each month, along with a weekly film for parents with children under three years. One of major factors in the Curzon’s recognition was the Front Room Cinema project. This is a mobile cinema that has thus far delivered 25 screenings of 18 different films to 300 residents in 14 residential homes.
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The Front Room Cinema project
Community support is the key to the Curzon’s continued success, reckons general manager Luke Doran. “When we announced on social media that we’d made it through to the finals of the Screen International Awards, the reaction we received from the public was just wonderful. We love what we do here at the Curzon and the encouragement we have from our audience members makes it all so very worthwhile.”
Major events regularly get queues round the block
The Screen Awards winners will be announced at an awards ceremony hosted by Edith Bowman on November 30 at the Grange St. Paul’s Hotel in London. You can find the Curzon’s full programme in the Bristol 24/7 film listings.
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