Bristol's much-loved independent cinema is set to re-open next week after closing five months ago amid the Covid-19 lockdown.
The Watershed will be throwing open the doors to its cafe and theatre on September 1, launching with a season of ‘Films That Love the Cinema’.
To limit the spread of infection, a new one-way systems has been introduced, there'll be reduced capacity and hand sanitising stations have been dotted throughout.
While in the café and bar, customers are advised to book a table in advance and table service has been introduced, meaning visitors can now order food on their phone, laptop or tablet.
Suhaib Gasmelbari's documentary Talking About Trees, Mati Diop’s award-winning Atlantics, Diao Yinan’s The Wild Goose Lake are the first films to be shown in September.
Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove said: “Cinemas, like everywhere else, have been closed for the longest time in their history generating for some (well me) something of an existential crisis.
"Thinking about what our reopening programme would be, I wanted to present films which have at their very core the essence of the cinematic - that unique intense experience shared in the darkened auditorium.”
Clare Reddington, Watershed CEO, said lockdown has enabled the company to develop new ways of engaging with remote audiences.
"We will continue to work with distributors to present films online where available, and our Studio Lunchtime talks will also continue online for now," she said.
"We are also beginning research into how we produce accessible hybrid events - designed for audiences both in venue and online.
"There aren't many examples of how this might work - so bear with us as we explore the potential and we will be sure to let you know what we discover."
Opening times
The venue will be open from Tuesday through to Sunday each week, and the cinema programme will run from Thursdays to Sundays.
Find out more here.
