EAST
Close-Up, Shoreditch, E1: Close-up runs a film programme aimed at making film culture and history accessible to everyone. Exploring such topics as the film of Ingmar Bergman and Surrealism and Cinema, the programmes are truly international and educational. They aim to show films that have shaped the art of cinema and have events featuring filmmakers discussing their work. They also run a film festival in November. The venue also has a cafe and bar.
Indieflicks Short Film Screening, Brick Lane, E1: Meeting on the 1st Wednesday of every month, they bring a selection of shorts from around the globe. IndieFlicks runs the same programme of films across all their cities (Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield) creating a large national audience. You can vote for your favourite film on the night and have questions answered by special guests. With drink available from the bar all night, it’s a chance to network with fellow creatives.
London Documentary Films Group: Last Frame is a film club in Walthamstow. It screens films and holds workshops twice a month, mostly in central E17, just a few minutes walk from Walthamstow Central Station. They screen award winning documentaries from across the globe, focusing on films that have been made by and about under-represented groups and communities. They encourage people to head to the pub afterwards to carry on the chat.
Rainbow Film Society, Whitechapel, E1: A charity based in Whitechapel committed to advancing the education of the public in the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the arts, particularly those of film. They promote the study and appreciation of cinema with lectures, discussions and exhibitions. They also publish a film magazine “Fade In” and organise film festivals.
NORTH
Belsize Park Film Society, NW3: The film society screens a wide and diverse range of films including world cinema, documentaries and forgotten classics. Meeting on a fortnightly basis on a Tuesday evening, they aim to enrich the cultural opportunities of their local area.
Camden Cinema Club, N1: A club for people who enjoy films on the big screen and who also would like to meet new people who share their interest in films. They mainly meet at the Odeon in Camden during the week (Monday-Thursday) to make the most of off-peak ticket prices. They try to host a couple of meetings a month and are always open to suggestions from members as to what they’d like to see. The films tend to be mainstream (so those interested in indie, arthouse or foreign films might find other clubs more conducive to their taste) but everyone is invited to join.
Tufnell Park Film Club, NW5: Showing great movies every Tuesday (8pm) at The Lord Palmerston in NW5, their main aim is ‘not to bore’. They show Hollywood classics as well as forgotten gems and cult favourites. The interesting twist is that every fortnight the film is linked to the one a fortnight before. They select three films that are somehow connected to the night’s screening and the audience select which one should be shown next. On other weeks they show something connected to a recent event or as part of a festival.