Located on the infamous Brudenell Road, Hyde Park Picture House is a favourite amongst film fanatics and hungover freshers alike.

It has witnessed over a century of independent cinema since it first opened in 1914. The only remaining gas-lit cinema is housed in a quirky Grade II listed building, complete with ornate balcony. These beautiful, original features are about to be restored thanks to a £2.4 million investment from The Heritage Lottery Fund which hopes to inject a new lease of life into the much-loved venue.

Hyde Park Picture House succeeds by carefully curating an eclectic film calendar of both cult films and new releases. Award-winning documentaries, international hits, arthouse flicks and the occasional huge blockbuster all have a place on the cinema’s creative roster. The Picture House also hosts regular film series. ‘Creatures of the Night’ is perfect for that late-night horror fix, ‘Hyde & Seek’ offer family friendly screenings and ‘Philosophy & Film’ is a series that works in partnership with University of Leeds to explore the philosophical dilemmas behind our favourite films. Like many of Hyde Park’s other popular haunts, there’s even a special BYOB event – you can Bring Your Own Baby to these screenings!

Upcoming events include:

26th September: Notes From Another India: Sutapa Biswas & Pratibha Parmar – event exploring alternative representations of India

27th September: FREE Freshers’ screening of La La Land (3pm)

28th September: Blade Runner- The Final Cut screening (one night only)

28th September: Black Sabbath: The End of the End (8:30pm)

5th October: Special preview screening of Denis Villeneuve’s much anticipated Blade Runner 2049

If you can resist the pull of the corporate multiplex or the promise of pricey pizza at the Everyman Cinema, Hyde Park Picture House is affordable, accessible and a crucial part of the Leeds experience.

Lucy Milburn

(Image courtesy of BBC)