THE Regal Cinema in Fordingbridge is bringing a "fun" festival of films with "something for everyone".
From October 8 to 17, it is a hosting its Feel Good Film Festival.
Launch event
The festival opens with a special screening in which local composer and pianist, Andrew Harrison-King, will be playing live in the cinema his original score written for the silent film The General.
The line-up of films
The programme also includes Mary Poppins Returns and The Greatest Showman as well as Another Round, classic films and new releases more.
During the screening of Mary Poppins Returns children will receive a goodie bag, which has been made possible with the support of All The Cool Stuff.
Cinema-goers heading to watch Another Round will be welcomed to the bar an hour before the screening where cocktails will be on the menu.
A representative from Fordingbridge's The Railway Hotel, will be mixing cocktails to order.
Relaxed screening
The cinema is also hosting its first relaxed screening of The Peanut Butter Falcon for people with learning or physical difficulties, dementia, their carers and families as well as anybody else who would like to join.
In order to create a relaxed environment the cinema will have no trailers/pre-film adverts, the house lights will be on for the duration of the film and the volume will be a little lower than usual levels.
Special offer for young adults
Thanks to funding from the local Film Hub, supported by the National Lottery, the Regal Cinema is offering a special ticket for young adults aged 16 to 30.
Young adult tickets are £5 on all regular screenings throughout the festival.
'Brightening up 2021'
Bridget Mulrooney, the operations and programming manager, said: "After long periods of closure and a slow start to screening again, as people begin to get comfortable with return to cinemas, we are excited to be brightening up everybody’s 2021 with our Feel Good Film Festival.
"We will be showing a selection of fun, wholesome, thought-provoking and, amusing titles that we are sure will appeal to a variety of audiences. The Regal Cinema is pleased to be running its first inclusive/relaxed screening (The Peanut Butter Falcon) with ticket concessions and free tickets for carers as well as running a £5 young adult ticket offer throughout the festival.
"We are also proud to present local pianist Andrew Harrison-King performing the premiere of his original score written expressly for Buster Keaton’s The General (1926) on our opening night of the festival."
Bridget added: "The Regal Cinema’s Feel Good Film Festival features familiar favourites including The Greatest Showman and Mary Poppins Returns, independent titles such as The Peanut Butter Falcon and this year’s Oscar-winning International Film, Another Round. There are also classic titles and some recent releases from 2021. There really is something for everyone."
Challenging time for cinema
"Although cinemas are back open almost “as normal”, cinemas are not out of the woods yet with many of us still experiencing barely a third of our previous total attendees," said Bridget.
"As a non-profit, community cinema this is especially challenging and we really hope that our local community will rally around us, pick something they’d love to see and come along to enjoy the festival."
How to get tickets
Visit: theregalcinema.org
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