World Cup 2018 – coming to a cinema near you

This summer’s month long beach cinema event will include key matches from the 2018 World Cup, the city council announced today.

Along with the latest blockbuster movies, screen lovers will be able to watch the world’s most widely viewed sporting occasion while soaking up the seaside atmosphere.

The event, taking place from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, July 15, will be run by Luna Beach Cinema, which has secured the contract for the next three years after winning a rigorous tendering process.

Cllr Alan Robins, chair of the tourism, development and culture committee, said: “This is fantastic news for the council, our residents and businesses, plus the tens of thousands of tourists who come to the city during June and July.
 
“Our famous beach will be host to dozens of blockbuster movies, plus screenings of key World Cup games from Russia – all presented by the UK’s largest open air cinema producer on the highest definition LED screen in the country.”

The opportunity to operate a Screen on the Beach was advertised, with applicants having to fulfil a tough criteria process. The criteria included the history of the business, experience, proposed event programme, local economic impact and licence fee.

Luna, has also committed to screening short movies by local filmmakers and aspiring directors, and employ local people where possible.

Cllr Robins added: “Last year, the council was approached by several companies to screen the World Cup matches on the beach and run the annual screen on the beach event.
 
“We decided the fairest and only way was to hold a clear and robust process and offer the event to the applicant who could best fulfil the criteria. That company was Luna.”

He said: “I understand how disappointed the businesses which were not chosen will be, but we had a duty to choose the company who we believe will provide the best event possible for our residents, businesses and tourists.”

George Wood, Managing Director of The Luna Cinema, said: “We are delighted to be operating the Screen on the Beach this year and for the next two years, and will work tirelessly to ensure a fantastic event for the city. 

“Our intention is for Luna Beach Cinema to be a celebration of the local community, offering an inclusive cultural experience in a truly iconic setting, but also encouraging local film makers and aspiring directors with regular screenings of locally made short films. 

“Alongside this, the cinema will offer employment for local people with a policy of recruitment of front of house personnel from the local community where possible.”

The Luna Cinema’s experience includes staging more than 150 screenings each year across many of the country’s most prestigious settings including Hampton Court Palace, Warwick Castle, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Cardiff Castle, Leeds Castle, Blenheim Palace and Kensington, plus Camber Sands and unusual sites like open-air lidos, theatres, racecourses and rooftops.