What do an outdoor heated swimming pool, a 4 star hotel and Kilkeel Harbour all have in common? They are all venues for Strand Arts Centre’s summer cinema programme!

 

In addition to welcoming audiences through the doors of its busy venue in East Belfast, staff from the Strand are also packing their buckets and spades to entertain the crowds who like to be beside the seaside in Newcastle, County Down over the next few weeks.

Strand Arts Centre is teaming up with Newcastle Community Cinema and Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive to screen four special cinematic events as part of BFI Britain on Film: Coast and Sea. Comprising archive footage, screenings and events celebrating the UK’s coastal and maritime heritage, the BFI Film Audience Network project is funded by the National Lottery.

 

The ballroom of the Slieve Donard Hotel is the perfect backdrop for a screening of Roald Dahl’s classic family film, The Witches (30th July). Starring Anjelica Huston, the film is set in a hotel that is hosting a convention of witches. Kids are encouraged to dress up as a witch (or a mouse) and the event begins with a mask-making workshop run by Down Community Arts followed by a chocolate mice hunt in the hotel!

 

Later that evening, things turn even darker (over 15s only) with the British comedy Hotel Splendide. Daniel Craig stars as a chef trying to revitalise his family’s dark and dreary spa hotel.

 

Dress up in your best vintage wears and buy a special themed cocktail to watch the film inside the hotel it was shot in!  The screening will be preceded by archive footage of Gloria Hunniford performing in the ballroom.

 

For those who like to get their hair wet, you can enjoy a film and a swim! Kids will have a swim in the heated Tropicana outdoor pool, followed by screening of Song of the Sea (13th August) inside the Newcastle centre. The film tells the story of two young children who journey to the sea on an adventure to free the fairies and save the spirit world. Sandwiches will be provided for the children and tea and coffee for adults.

 

Oscar-nominated for Best Animated Feature in 2009, The Secret of Kells will screen in September as part of the Kilkeel Prawn Festival.

 

This family friendly, Viking themed event will have a screening of The Secret of Kells created by Kilkenny-based company Cartoon Saloon, plus arts and crafts, face painting and even some real Vikings! Dressing up is encouraged. The screening will be preceded by archive footage of Vikings landing in Kilkeel Harbour.

 

Johanna Leech, Programme Manager for Strand Arts Centre said:

 

“We’re delighted to be working with Newcastle Community Cinema and Northern Ireland Screen on this project to engage with people in non-traditional cinema locations this summer. It’s all part of a major initiative developed by BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) to boost film audiences across the UK, and fits with the Strand Arts Centre’s aim of delivering a diverse programme of creative and cultural activity.

 

“The events are going to be great fun, in locations that complement the choice of film, and with amazing archive footage of Northern Ireland’s coastal heritage. It’s also the perfect excuse to dress as a witch or a Viking without attracting funny looks!”

 

So, if you fancy dipping your toes in some cinema by the seaside, find out more at strandartscentre.com, book tickets via newcastlecinema.org  and begin your search of over 100 years of archive footage in Northern Ireland at digitalfilmarchive.net.