Southsea Cinema to mark fourth anniversary with week of events
Southsea Cinema is celebrating its 4th anniversary in May, with a range of screenings, concerts, and an outdoor cinema night.
The community cinema and multi-purpose venue has unveiled plans to celebrate the anniversary while applying to the council to extend its hours over the weekends.
Celebrations will start with the Green Film Festival, taking place between May 13 and 17, screening films exploring the climate crisis.
May 20 is when the cinema celebrates its fourth anniversary, which will see Latin American dance performances.
The next day, residents can enjoy a free screening of the 1968 classic Oliver! – followed by a meal and a “big fat quiz night”.
The 22nd will see a live music and pottery night, with performances from a local acoustic band.
On the 23rd, Staggeringly Good Brewery will host an outdoor cinema screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
On the 24th, the venue will host international DJ Ant TC1 for a drum and bass evening.
This coincides with a recent application to Portsmouth City Council to extend its opening hours to 2am from Friday to Sunday.
Aysegul Epengin, founder of the cinema and director of the Portsmouth Film Society, said that the cinema has struggled financially over the years and film screenings don’t generate much income “because of the unpredictability of the audience”.
She said that live music and parties had generated more attention and support from residents, and that the current closing time of 11–11:30pm is limiting the venue’s “creative capacity”.
She said that these late-night events were already happening, but that the venue has been submitted temporary event notices every time.
She added that a full sound report has been submitted to the council, and around £3,000 has been spent on soundproofing.
She said she would like to show “midnight movies” where residents can enjoy a cult film, thriller or horror from 11:30pm to give residents an “alternative to going to a bar and having a drink”.
She said the films SC platys are mainly art-house or focus on environmental, social or political themes both home and abroad, but it’s started playing nominated films over the awards season such as Sinners or One Battle After Another.
When asked about the differences between mainstream cinemas, she said that chains already have their finances established and only offer “expected films”.
She said instead, “you can come to the community cinema on your doorstep, have some nice fresh cake, watch a film you like, listen to music you like and talk to people.”