The 16th PFS AGM Group Photo with Board Members
Portsmouth Film Society is proud to celebrate the 4th Anniversary of Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre, marking four incredible years of creativity, resilience, and community impact. Join us for a packed programme of events from 20–24 May 2026:
Birthday Week Programme
Wednesday 20 May – 7:00 PM
Learn to Dance with Bailando with Sally and Alex (@bailandowithsally)
- Screening of our students’ short films
Thursday 21 May
- 2:00 PM – Free screening of Oliver! as part of our Reel Memories session
(plus fundraising collection at the front of the venue) - 7:00 PM – Community Food Sharing Evening & Big Fat Cinema Quiz Night hosted by our incredible volunteers
Friday 22 May – 7:00 PM
Live Music with Dead Calm & Poetry Night
Dead Calm are a four-piece local band performing an acoustic mix of original songs and Americana-inspired covers. For our 4th anniversary, they will be joined by musical friends who share their passion. Previous shows have sold out, so early booking is recommended for what promises to be a memorable journey through timeless sounds.
The evening will also include an open mic for budding poets with Southsea Arts Poetry Collective.
Saturday 23 May – 8:30 PM
Outdoor Cinema Screening: The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Staggeringly Good Brewery
Come in your best costume — prizes will be awarded!
This is a fully interactive screening, with audience participation encouraged and materials provided.
Sunday 24 May – 3:00 PM
DnB Exclusive Bank Holiday Party
Featuring international Drum & Bass DJ ANT TC1 (Dispatch Recording/Metalheadz) live at our venue.
More info: https://southseacinema.co.uk/bank-holiday-xl-mode-activated/
A Growing Legacy
We are incredibly proud of what we have built together over the past four years.
What started as a grassroots initiative has now become a well-established, multi-purpose cultural venue, serving a wide and diverse community.
Community & Individual Impact
-1,979 annual ticket sales (average 164 per month)
-20+ participants in filmmaking courses
-5 short films produced and premiered
-Increased engagement with recovery-focused and environmental film programmes
-Strong partnerships across arts, health, and community sectors
-Safe, inclusive spaces for individuals to connect and share their stories
Students progressing into volunteering, opportunity to work experience (30 in a year) for the students and wider community involvement
Thank You to Our Supporters
This journey would not have been possible without the support of our partners and collaborators, including:
University of Portsmouth • Staggeringly Good Brewery • Portsmouth Cricket Club • The National Lottery • Priory School • Gig Buddies Portsmouth • The Society of St James • Savoy System • The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth • Altitude Film Distribution • Portsmouth Climate Collective • Portsmouth Greenpeace • Shaping Portsmouth • Portsmouth Underground Radio • Portsmouth Bookfest • Portsmouth City Council/ Public Health • Portsmouth Hive • Portsmouth Climate Action Group • Portsmouth Holmes Fest • Portsmouth College • Lookup Portsmouth • Goldsmith Productions • Southsea Cinema DnB Heads Local DJs • Local Artists • Portsmouth Creates
Chris Martin, Director of Portsmouth Film Society CIC, highlights the remarkable growth of the Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre over the past four years.
“The venue has developed a diverse programme including film screenings, live music, poetry, exhibitions, workshops, yoga, family activities, and markets, while also supporting filmmaker training. Its festivals—such as the Green Film Festival, Recovery Festival, LGBT+ Festival, Short Cuts Film Festival, and contributions to Bookfest—continue to grow in success. Regular events like Film Nights with Pizza and monthly international screenings have helped engage wider audiences.
The centre also offers classic film screenings, independent and award-nominated films, filmmaker Q&As, and outdoor cinema events in summer.
Overall, the venue has become a vibrant, community-driven cultural hub, with strong local involvement and support from musicians, artists, and audiences.”
Aysegul Epengin, Director and Venue Manager, said:
“Four years of survival mode for our venue feels like a true achievement. In that time, we proved that something magical can grow from an intimate space — creating powerful, meaningful events and leaving lasting memories with so many people.
This journey has changed me. It’s strengthened me in ways I never expected. I worked incredibly hard, and I don’t regret a single moment. Even the difficult times taught me something valuable and helped shape what we’ve built. Thank you to everyone who trusted us and believed in our venue. These four years have flown by — it almost feels like a dream.
To keep going, we evolved. What began as a small cinema became a vibrant, multi-purpose space, young people love it and feel it belongs to them. while still holding a special place for older generations to reconnect through classic films. We’ve had the privilege of welcoming both local and international artists, giving them a platform to share their work and connect with our community. None of this would have been possible without our incredible volunteers. Their dedication, passion, and hard work have been at the heart of everything we’ve achieved. Together, we created something truly special — an inclusive, inspiring space that brought people together. And that’s something I will always be proud of.”
Portsmouth Film Society continues to grow its legacy as a community-led cultural hub, committed to accessibility, creativity, and connection.
Join us as we celebrate four years — and the many more to come.
2026 Outdoor cinema Programme announced:
Other important events at the Southsea CInema & Arts Centre:
PFS Green Film Festival: https://www.portsmouthfilmsociety.org.uk/green-film-festival-2026/
A New Art Exhibition: “Infinite Blue” Hennessy Designs
https://southseacinema.co.uk/art-exhibition-infinite-blue/
Theatre Show in May:
https://southseacinema.co.uk/the-party-guest/
Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre Photo Album
For more information, visit:
🌐 portsmouthfilmsociety.org.uk
🌐 southseacinema.co.uk
Follow us:
📷 Facebook: @pompeyfilms @Southseacinema
Insta: Twitter: @portsmouthfilms @southseacinema