Reading Film Theatre celebrates its 50th birthday
Tuesday, 28 January 2020
In 2020 Reading Film Theatre (RFT) will be celebrating 50 years of bringing independent cinema to Reading.
Based in the Palmer Building in the heart of Whiteknights RFT shows the best films from around the world, many of which would not be seen in the town centre cinemas. The film programme includes many foreign language films, independent or small budget films as well as a few mainstream blockbusters. Our programme also includes occasional special events including Q&A sessions with directors and recently hosted the award winning film director Fernando Meirelles, in collaboration with the UoR The Centre for Film Aesthetics and Cultures. Films are screened mainly on Tuesdays and Thursdays and all are welcome.
Reading Film Theatre (RFT) was established in 1970 with some financial support from the British Film Institute, Southern Arts, Reading Borough Council and the University of Reading, but over the years the financial support has dried up. By 1990 RFT became totally self-financing – relying on the valuable support of a team of around 50 very enthusiastic and committed volunteers, ticket sales and a little bit of advertising revenue - to keep the programme going.
Throughout 2020 the RTF will be holding a series of celebratory events. It is especially grateful to the Vice Chancellor for awarding us a grant to enable us to offer free film screenings of the top voted RFT films over the last 50 years. We anticipate that these will be popular and will be available on a first come first served basis. Visit our website to vote for your favourite: www.readingfilmtheatre.co.uk.