News / cinema
Cinema forced to stop parent and baby screenings following complaint
More than 15 years ago, weekly screenings of new films were inaugurated at a cinema in Bristol that gave parents and carers the chance to watch the latest releases with their babies.
These babies can cry, play and babble all they want, with the films shown at a lower volume and the lights brighter.
The under-ones are not watching the film, but a complaint to Bristol City Council about “the alleged access of children to 15 and 18 rated films” has now been received forcing Watershed to cancel this week’s Cinébabies screening.
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In a statement, Watershed said: “Like many cinemas across the UK we have programmed Cinébabies titles from our new release programme and have never restricted what these titles are (i.e. picked lower certificate films or ones that are more ‘family’ focussed) as it is the adults who are going to be watching the film who are making the decisions about what they want to see.
“We have been informed by the Bristol City Council Licensing Authority that they have received a complaint about ‘the alleged access of children to 15 and 18 rated films’ at Watershed.
“Whilst the licensing authority are sympathetic to the intention of the Cinébabies screenings in giving new parents access to the full range of our film programme, the licensing is directly linked to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) system.
“This means at present we are only able to show 12A (or under) certificate films for Cinébabies whilst we continue conversations and discussions around what we can do to resolve this matter.
“Unfortunately none of our current films are lower than a 15 certificate which is why we are unable to present a Cinébabies screening this week.”
Cinebabies screenings have been held at Watershed for more than 15 years – photo: Martin Booth
A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “The council has a responsibility of granting and enforcing the licences of venues such as Watershed.
“Following receipt of a complaint about the screening of 15 and 18 rated films with children present, officers have asked Watershed to review the British Board of Film Classification recommendations for such films to ensure they comply with their licence conditions.
“Any decisions taken on the Cinebabies screenings have been taken by management at the Watershed.”
Main photo: Watershed
Read next:
- 15 places in Bristol that were once cinemas
- Things to do in Bristol with a newborn
- Behind the scenes on film shot and bases in south Bristol
- Inside Bristol’s most successful breastfeeding group
- A writing class especially for new mums
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