Small Cinema
57-59 Victoria Street,
Liverpool,
L1 6DE
57-59 Victoria Street,
Liverpool,
L1 6DE
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Located in Liverpool city centre, the Small Cinema was founded by Sam Meech, an audio-visual artist originally from Huddersfield, but based in Liverpool since 2001.
His inspiration came from a trip to Berlin, where he visited many of the small cinemas in that city and wondered why there wasn’t anything similar in Liverpool.
In January 2015 he convened a meeting in the 1886-built Crown Buildings, former home to the city’s magistrates' courts, setting out his vision. Assistance in setting up the cinema came from, amongst others, the Plaza, Stockport, which provided the seats. The auditorium occupies what used to be (and is still signposted as) Court 8!
Small Cinema was launched on Thursday 19th March 2015, and has continuing funding from BFI Film Hub North West Central. The launch programme included a Short Film Night the following day, “Concerning Violence” (2014), from Liverpool Radical Film Fest, on the Saturday, and Food For Real presented “The Gleaners and I” (2000) on the Sunday.
The cinema is volunteer-run, and the staff are encouraged to suggest film titles and introduce their films. When I visited, in May 2016, I was delighted to see “The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane”, starring Jodie Foster and Martin Sheen, that I hadn’t seen since its first release in 1976.
The auditorium is on the ground floor, alongside a café (under separate management). I was given a very warm welcome, and I wish this venture every success. It was closed on 30th April 2017 with “Together”. The building has been put up ‘For Sale’ for redevelopment.
Contributed by
David Simpson
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Small Cinema sadly closed on Sunday 30th April 2017, following an announcement that Crown Buildings were to be put up for sale for redevelopment. The cinema went out on a high, with a full weekend programme that culminated with “Together” (2000), directed by Lucas Moodysson, which was followed by a Grand Closing Party. According to its website, it has welcomed over 8,000 people to 270 screenings in its relatively short life.
Thankfully, the future of Small Cinema is being discussed by its volunteer team. I certainly hope that alternative premises can be found, and that this wonderful independent can be resurrected.