The much-loved Hebden Bridge Picture House celebrates its centenary in style.
Hebden Bridge Picture House, the historic cinema at the heart of the Calder Valley’s film community, first opened its doors to audiences on 12 July 1921. A near full century later on 28 June 2021, the venue was reopening its doors after a painful period of closure – not the first in the cinema’s storied, and sometimes tumultuous, history.
But now the Picture House, which in recent years has now braved floods and a pandemic, was back. And just in time for the start of its 100th birthday celebrations.
The Picture House is marking the occasion in style with a programme of special events running from July 2021 celebrating the past, present and future of cinemagoing in Hebden Bridge. Support for the centenary programme comes from National Lottery funding through Film Hub North’s Film Exhibition Fund.
So much of what we do here has not changed in the century we’ve been running, and I hope that this glorious building and the institution of the cinema will be at the heart of our community for many decades to come. – Rebekah Fozard, Hebden Bridge Picture House
The centenary programme starts, appropriately enough, at the beginning – going all the way back to 1921 for a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s then-contemporary hit, The Kid.
Elsewhere in the line-up, the Picture House explores the history of movie-making with a celebration of Louis Le Prince – Yorkshire’s claim to early cinema fame – and female film pioneer Alice Guy-Blaché. The magic and romance of cinemagoing is showcased in screenings of The Smallest Show on Earth and Cinema Paradiso. And local stories are put in the spotlight with the reprisal of hometown favourites like Brassed Off and a day of archive footage as Yorkshire Film Archive presents Calderdale on Film.
Additional funding will help the Picture House develop Calderdale’s next generation of cinephiles with the introduction of a new 16-25 ticketing offer, partnerships with local schools and youth groups, and a commitment to screening the new releases young cinemagoers want to see.
Many happy returns to the Picture House, and many more.
Hebden Bridge Picture House’s centenary programme is supported by National Lottery funding through our Film Exhibition Fund. For more information on how we can help your next project, contact our team or visit our Exhibition Funding landing page.
