Chichester Cinema at New Park

Chichester Cinema at New Park is an independent cinema based in Chichester, West Sussex, England. It began as a film society, holding its inaugural screening — Woody Allen's 'Love and Death' — on 20 September 1979. Over the following decades it grew into a nationally acclaimed and locally loved independent cinema, screening films from around the world, hosting an annual film festival, and presenting live performance events. The cinema's own figures describe roughly 520 films and talks per year, about 75,000 visitors annually, and around 2,000 community film experiences. The cinema operates a membership programme with tiered benefits and discounted tickets, sells gift vouchers, and runs a donation-supported model under the banner of supporting local independent film culture. Its programming spans new releases, repertory and classic titles, film talks, and live or recorded performance events. The organisation also promotes environmental initiatives, such as its 'A Greener Screen' programme. Chichester Cinema at New Park is closely associated with the Chichester International Film Festival, described as the South Coast's premier film festival. The festival was launched in 1992 as the representation of the art of film at the Festival of Chichester, a summer arts programme in the city. Under long-serving programmer Roger Gibson, who programmed every edition from its inception until 2023, the festival grew from 29 films in one location to 150 films across seven locations. Venues and formats have included open-air screenings in Priory Park, classic silent films with live musical accompaniment in the gothic St John's Chapel, 35mm screenings at Slindon Cinema, special screenings at Chichester Cathedral, and drive-in screenings in the city centre. In 2024 Walter Francisco, previously the festival's General Manager for 20 years and programmer of the cinema's seasonal programmes, took the helm as Head of Programming. The 2026 edition was announced for 7–23 August 2026. The cinema positions itself as a community-focused, independent alternative within the UK exhibition landscape, emphasising access to global cinema, educational and community film experiences, and support from members and donors. It is not part of a large multiplex chain; its identity rests on local ownership, curation, and festival programming.

Chichester Cinema at New Park traces its origins to a film society that held its inaugural screening on 20 September 1979, showing Woody Allen's 'Love and Death'. From that starting point it developed into a full independent cinema in Chichester, West Sussex, and became a fixture of the city's cultural life. Its own account describes it as having 'blossomed into a nationally acclaimed and locally loved independent cinema', screening the best in film from around the world, hosting an annual film festival, and presenting live performance events. A defining strand of its history is the Chichester International Film Festival, launched in 1992 as the representation of the art of film at the Festival of Chichester, a summer programme of the arts in the city. Roger Gibson programmed every edition from the festival's inception until 2023, presiding over its growth from 29 films in one location to 150 films in seven locations. The festival's formats and venues expanded accordingly, including open-air screenings in Priory Park, classic silent films with live musical accompaniment in the gothic St John's Chapel, 35mm screenings at Slindon Cinema, special screenings at Chichester Cathedral, and drive-in screenings in the city centre. Over the years the festival hosted film directors, actors, writers, composers and critics who gave talks, including figures such as Sir Alec Guinness, Kathleen Turner, Ken Russell, Mike Leigh, Daniel Brühl, Elaine Paige, Michael Winterbottom, John Lithgow, Derek Jacobi, Timothy Spall and Ralph Fiennes. In 2024 Walter Francisco took the helm as Head of Programming, following 20 years as the festival's General Manager and as programmer of the cinema's seasonal programmes. The cinema continues to operate a year-round programme of films, talks and live performance events, alongside membership, gift voucher and donation schemes. Its stated scale is approximately 520 films and talks per year, 75,000 visitors per year, and 2,000 community film experiences. It also promotes environmental programming under the 'A Greener Screen' banner. The 2026 edition of the Chichester International Film Festival was announced for 7–23 August 2026.

• Inaugural screening of Woody Allen's 'Love and Death' as a film society

• Chichester International Film Festival launched as part of the Festival of Chichester

• Roger Gibson's final year programming the festival after every edition since inception

• Walter Francisco becomes Head of Programming

• 2026 Chichester International Film Festival begins (7–23 August 2026)

A nationally acclaimed, locally loved independent cinema and community film hub on the South Coast of England, known for curated world cinema and its international film festival.

• Year-round film programme

  Screenings of films from around the world, including new releases and repertory titles.

• Film talks

  Talks and discussions accompanying the film programme.

• Live performance events

  Live or recorded performance events screened at the cinema.

• Memberships

  Tiered membership options with improved benefits and discounted tickets.

• Gift vouchers

  Vouchers sold in various denominations.

• Chichester International Film Festival

  Annual festival described as the South Coast's premier film festival.

1. 1Chichester Cinema at New Park — official websitechichestercinema.org
2. 2Film Festival — Chichester Cinema at New Parkchichestercinema.org
3. 3Chichester Cinema — Wikidatawikidata.org