Curzon launches pop-up cinema scheme in UK regions

Curzon Cinemas is launching Curzon At, a pop up cinema scheme for UK regional arts venues. Momentum, StudioCanal, Soda Pictures and the BFI are amongst distributors to have signed up to the initiative, which will see Curzon install projectors, a screen, sound, and a specially designed servers at regional arts venues.

The Watermark in Ivybridge, Devon, and Bridport Arts Centre in Dorset are the first venues to host the scheme, with The Mill in Banbury expected to launch in May and a further 6-8 venues expected to host cinemas by the end of the year.

We Need to Talk About Kevin[pictured], Wuthering Heights, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Bridesmaids and Melancholia are amongst the titles travelling to the arts centres.

Films will play at Blu-Ray quality via a digital file format with the independent cinema chain splitting revenues with the hosts.

Philip Knatchbull, chief executive of Curzon Artificial Eye, commented: “This is an important and exciting first step in developing what will become a nationwide network of part time Curzon cinemas which will reach out to a wider and more diverse audience than ever before including more local and remote areas of the UK. This is a key plank in our long term strategy of building loyal Curzon customers who can watch high quality independent films when, where and how they want.”

Ben Metcalf, Curzon At manager, said: “I’m thrilled to be heading up a project that is taking independent films to traditionally under served areas of the UK. The advent of digital technology means that arts centres and theatres across the country can enjoy the latest art house films closer than ever to release date.”