Local cinema gets recognised at Film Society

A cinema club in Pitshanger has been awarded a Distinction for the Best Community Event of 2015 at the Film Society of The Year Awards.

Pitshanger Pictures was praised for its World War 1 Commemoration Event held at St Barnabas Church, Pitshanger Lane on the 4th August 2014.

The centrepiece was screening of Lewis Milestone’s award-winning 1930 American epic All Quiet on the Western Front (winner of two Oscars).

The audience heard poetry and diary accounts written by local soldiers who fought in Flanders and on the Somme. The church building was laid out cabaret-style and food served replicated what soldiers ate in the trenches.

Pitshanger Pictures has become an established community cinema in the Millennium Halls alongside St Barnabas church in Pitshanger Lane. Between January 2010 when Pitshanger Pictures launched and 30th June 2015, a total of 6,764 people have attended screenings. Most come from within walking distance.

Alongside the screening of films Pitshanger Pictures shows live TV broadcasts of popular events such as the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony or the Royal Wedding.

Next year is the centenary of St Barnabas Church and Pitshanger Pictures are planning a bonanza of fun and film over a two week period at the end of July/August, alongside many other events to appeal to all sectors of the community of Pitshanger Lane.

There are over 650 other Community Cinemas nationwide who are members of Cinema for All (formerly the British Federation of Film Societies).