Showroom Cinema, the independent creative arts venue in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, brings northern classics to the big screen, in the build up to its inaugural Sheffield Film Festival.
Coming August 2024, the first festival will feature collaborations with local filmmakers, artists, and experts to showcase and celebrate the city’s unique and substantial contribution to UK film culture. Leading into the festival, Showroom is screening beloved local and global classics, exciting previews, and a world premiere.
On Sunday 2 June, Pride returns to the big screen for a special anniversary screening. Marking 40 years since the miner’s strikes and the 10-year anniversary of the film’s release, the stirring story of solidarity between striking miners and gay activists during the 1980s is followed by a Q&A joined by Mike Jackson.
On Thursday 6 June, Sheffield-set classic ‘Threads’ makes its comeback, 40 years after terrifying the nation. Mick Jackson’s harrowing and sober vision of a nuclear strike on the city is as impactful and relevant as ever. The film is followed by a panel discussion with various Professors, Dylan Barker-Duggan (Yorkshire Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) and Robert Nevitt.
Then, on Monday 10 June, Showroom hosts a preview screening of Wilding in collaboration with the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust. Based on Isabella Tree’s best-selling book of the same name, Wilding is the true story of the radical Knepp Castle Estate Rewilding Project. The screening features a pre-recorded Q&A with Isabella Tree in conversation with Craig Bennett.
On Sunday 30 June, visitors to Millenium Gallery can experience, Mausoleum of the Giants, a blockbuster experience by internationally acclaimed artist Phlegm, in an immersive new way. Showroom is offering a special virtual reality experience, for visitors to enjoy a 360 film of the iconic display, with enormous hand-made models placed in and around a crumbling factory.
As the festival previews move into July, Showroom hosts the world premiere of Mother, Country. Sheffield-based director Pablo Navarrete’s deeply personal documentary covers over 50 years of family history, from his parent’s flight from Pinochet-ruled Chile in 1973, to witnessing a people’s uprising upon their return in 2020. This was also include a post-screening Q&A.
Also in July, Showroom collaborates with local artist Joseph Cutts, to present a special 20th anniversary screening of The Motorcycle Diaries. Joseph lends his curatorial expertise in Latin American cinema and artistic culture, to this profile of Che Guevara. The cinema will also showcase local filmmaking talent at Northern Exposure, in collaboration with Film Hub North.
The full Sheffield Film Festival programme will take over Showroom Cinema for the month of August and full details of the programme will be announced in July 2024.
“This will be an annual showcase of talent throughout the region, a celebration of our collective cultural history and a spotlight for the brilliant artists, filmmakers, creatives and organizations writing its next chapter.” – Ryan Finnigan
