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New measures introduced as Watershed prepares to reopen
Watershed’s cinemas, cafe and bar will be reopening from September 1, with the first films on show celebrating the joy of the silver screen.
The venue will be open from Tuesday to Sunday, with the cinema programme running from Thursdays to Sundays each week.
Film highlights include the return of the Bristol-produced Bait as well as Suhaib Gasmelbari’s documentary Talking About Trees, Mati Diop’s award-winning Atlantics and Céline Sciamma’s fourth feature Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
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There will be a reduced capacity in the cinemas and the cafe-bar, new one-way systems for moving around the building, and numerous hand sanitising stations.
Staff will be working as foyer hosts at the entrance, with everyone encouraged to book in advance for both the cinemas and the cafe-bar, where table service will be introduced and food and drink can be ordered online.
https://twitter.com/wshed/status/1297896934288633858
Cinema curator, Mark Cosgrove, said: “Thinking about what our reopening programme would be, I wanted to present films which have at their very core the essence of the cinematic – that unique intense experience shared in the darkened auditorium.”
Watershed CEO, Clare Reddington, added: “We are all so pleased to be able to reopen our wonderful building and begin to present cultural cinema and open our lovely cafe and bar once again.
“Our priority over this period has been to ensure that our building is safe for everyone, and that we can deliver an enjoyable experience for customers, audience and our staff.”
Visitors will all need to wear a face covering while in the cinemas and moving around the building – photo by Jon Aitken
Watershed will continue to work with distributors to present films online where available, with the Pervasive Media Studio lunchtime talks continuing online for now.
The team are also beginning research into how to produce accessible hybrid events designed for audiences both in the venue and online.
“There aren’t many examples of how this might work,” said Reddington. “So bear with us as we explore the potential and we will be sure to let you know what we discover.”
Films are showing at the reopened Watershed from Thursday to Sunday from 3pm – photo by Jon Aitken
Main photo by Jon Aitken
Read more: 10 things to do this week in Bristol, August 24-30 2020
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