Neighbourhood Cinema

TAPE Community Music and Film launched a new cinema project called ‘Neighbourhood Cinema’ for communities across North Wales in 2023, with support from Film Hub Wales.

Specialising in creative inclusion, TAPE ‘co-created’ the project in collaboration with their Media Club – a safe and supportive space which offers hands on experiences to a cohort of people from across the local community.

The project initially tested screenings and workshops in Llanwrst, in partnership with the Family Centre and had exploratory conversations with communities across North Wales. Four communities went on to deliver activities:

  • Ynys Môn (Anglesey) – Working with the local authority and Mencap Môn, films screened at Oriel Môn in Llangefni, where audiences could explore the gallery and museum before watching the film. The project screened in several other locations across the island, reaching out to support adults with learning disabilities and their families, who wanted greater access to cinema.
  • Llanfairfechan – The community developed screenings in the town’s original cinema, ‘The Luxor’. Having sought funding to install a new projector, the cinema brought films back to local audiences after 50 years. They had a grand opening with ‘The Sound of Music’, which had been due to play at the time of the cinema’s closure in 1964. A programme of monthly followed.
  • Llangoed Village Hall- Working with TAPE, the team at Llangoed purchased a 4K laser Epson projector. With their new stereo sound system and large-format cinema screen, they regularly create a truly cinematic experience as well as hosting NT Live.
  • Colwyn Bay – TAPE co-create screenings at their base and amidst the wider community in partnership with the Media Club, aiming to engage socially isolated audiences. As a result, the Cinema Paradiso and Friday Film Clubs were established.

Screenings included workshops, guests, masterclasses and for some – the chance to participate in the development of TAPE’s next feature film project, Below the Waves, which is funded by the Arts Council of Wales. Venues were supported by TAPE and FHW to learn new skills, such as how to set up and run the cinema kit, along with the process of programming and marketing films in each space, whilst also making friends and growing their professional networks.

For more information on future screenings, please visit the individual venue’s membership pages below.

Neighbourhood Cinema Testimonials

Neighbourhood Cinema is a hugely exciting project for several reasons. It builds on the film programming work the group has done and the wide range of screenings and events they’ve hosted. It also moves this work into communities across North Wales and connects people in new ways through the workshops running alongside.

Steve Swindon, Creative Director of TAPE

There’s so much innovation taking place across North Wales but we know that communities aren’t always able to access events, whether this is due to the cost of living crisis, poor transport links or lack of local services. Neighbourhood Watch is driven by the community itself, creating an appetite for film on their own doorsteps.

Hana Lewis, Head of Film Hub Wales

Through the project, we have been introduced to community partners, local groups, and services that share similar goals around inclusion, creativity, and supporting adults with learning disabilities. These new relationships have already led to useful conversations, shared ideas, and potential future collaborations. Spotlight has also raised awareness of what we do, helping other organisations see the value of our film club and opening the door to joint activities, venue sharing, and information exchange.

Mencap Môn

Coming into this project with very little knowledge of cinemas. The opportunity to set-up a cinema in a building with cinematic history has been a wonderful project. Learning about audiences and programming has helped us develop this project and gives us the confidence to continue the Luxor Cinema

The Luxor, Llanfairfechan

Spotlight support has helped us to establish a flourishing community cinema. Our programme has been well received, and our audience continues to expand. Our cinema is now well established, and I am sure it will continue for many years.

Llangoed Village Hall

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