“Cinema is for the people” say three South Wales venues who are shining a light on the social impact of cinema.
Cinemagoers, staff and volunteers at Gwyn Hall, Taliesin Arts Centre and Maesteg Town Hall have come together to share the places they love and they’re inviting the public to fall in love with them too.
This follows a series of reports, including the UK Culture, Media and Sport Committee and a Welsh Parliament Committee report on A Decade of Cuts, which recommend increased Government funding for cinemas, to recognise the vital role they play at the heart of communities, as well as investment into wider cultural spending in Wales.
As part of a new Film Hub Wales project, funded by the BFI via the National Lottery, each venue is implementing a series of new marketing initiatives that encourage local people to make the most of these community spaces. A social media campaign has been released to give audiences a chance to hear from other cinemagoers about how their local cinema changes their lives for the better, improving wellbeing, reducing loneliness and breathing life into their local high streets.
The BFI recently revealed each local UK cinema generates around £600,000 in added social value every year. At Neath’s Gwyn Hall, three state-of-the-art cinema screens showcase a huge range of films for the community daily — from the big screen and children’s favourites to indie gems and special events such as their renowned film quiz nights, live theatre and opera broadcasts. Its Phoenix Film Club membership offers discounts, a range of conference facilities and a much-loved café, called The Place. In June, there’s something for everyone, from blockbuster hits like F1, to a live performance from West End star Lee Mead and band, as well as their hugely popular Comic Book Movies quiz.
Regular visitor Carol Powrie shares what the venue means to her:
“Everyone at the Gwyn Hall makes you feel so at home – even if I come here by myself, I never feel like I'm on my own. It’s such a lovely community feel. If I had to summarise The Gwyn Hall in one sentence, it's for the people.”
Gwyn Hall’s Assistant Manager Lyn Lewis adds:
“I really think if the Gwyn Hall was to close again, I don't know what else there would be to do around here. People come to the café, to watch a show and to talk. We wouldn't be open without our customers and they would have nothing to do without us. It's a partnership. We listen to them and I love hearing their stories.”
Meanwhile, in the heart of the Llynfi Valley near Bridgend, the newly refurbished Maesteg Town Hall boasts a 74-seat cinema, ‘Y Bocs Oren,’ alongside a café, library, local history and heritage centre, glass atrium, and theatre. Part of Awen Cultural Trust, which operates several sites across Bridgend County, the venue offers state-of-the-art facilities and has already become a vibrant hub in the community.
Aled Williams, Marketing & Communications Assistant at Maesteg Town Hall, said:
“Having a purpose-built cinema in Maesteg Town Hall is a boost to community cohesion: it’s something that belongs to all of us. It’s something special that’s right on our doorstep and means we don’t have to travel to Bridgend or Cardiff to watch a film. It’s a wonderful asset to our community and I would encourage everyone to come and take a look.”
Upcoming screenings at Y Bocs Oren Sinema in June include The Last Showgirl, Conclave and the epic 2005 love story, Brokeback Mountain.
Shirley Edwards, who lives in Maesteg, adds:
“I visit the town hall because I have coffee most mornings. I find it really lovely and I also use the cinema. I love the cinema, it’s beautiful. I want to support the town hall in everything because I think we are so lucky to have what we have in Maesteg and I wish everybody believed that.”
Nestled in Swansea University's Singleton Campus, the Taliesin Arts Centre is a cultural beacon that brings together students, locals, and visitors with a dynamic programme of film, live performance, and creative events. With a 366-seat auditorium, the venue hosts everything from contemporary dance and world music to independent cinema and Met Opera broadcasts. Across the coming months, audiences can catch films such as a dazzling 4K restoration of Hanging at Picnic Rock for its 50th anniversary and Oscar nominated animation Flow. Beyond the screen and stage, Taliesin offers welcoming spaces such as its café/bar and the Taliesin Create area which is designed to spark creativity and connection.
Young Audiences and Engagement Coordinator Harvey Sayer explains:
“One of the best things about Taliesin is seeing people embrace culture – going to the cinema is a joyous occasion and it’s nice to see people coming out, being together. It feels like an extension of home.”
The three venues are collaborating on the project until July 2025, which aims to strengthen ties between local cinemas and their communities.
Hana Lewis, Head of Film Hub Wales, explains:
“It’s been a challenging time for cinema, with many organisations still trying to reconnect with audiences post Brexit, Covid, and then during a cost-of-living crisis. Cinema marketing teams are often under-resourced. This is why projects such as this, that promote the existence of the venue itself amongst the community, are so important. The BFI and Creative PEC’s report which measured the economic value of cinema venues, showed that each local UK cinema generates around £600,000 in added social value every year. We can’t afford to lose these vital spaces.”
This project is supported by Film Hub Wales, part of the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN), using funds from the National Lottery to ensure the widest choice of cinema is available to everyone across the UK. In Wales, these funds are administered by Film Hub Wales via Chaper, as the Film Hub Lead Organisation.
Every week, more than £30 million is raised for good causes across the UK by National Lottery players — helping to fund vital community initiatives like this one.