Tyneside Cinema and Crowne Plaza Hotel Newcastle Announce Independent Film Partnership
Tyneside Cinema, the Home of Independent Cinema in the North East, has linked up with the Crowne Plaza Newcastle in the first of a series of strategic partnerships for the venue.
Over the next 12 months, Tyneside Cinema will host a series of exclusive Q&A events, championing independent filmmakers and bringing some of the UK and global cinema’s best international talent to the North East.
The Crowne Plaza Hotel Newcastle will support the cinema by providing premium accommodation for its guests, giving the Tyneside the ability to invite filmmakers to Newcastle for events and helping the venue deliver on its plans for ambitious programmes highlighting emerging screen talent from the UK & Ireland and beyond.
The first Q&A Screening supported by Crowne Plaza Newcastle saw a sold-out Tyneside welcome director Daniel Kokotajlo to discuss his highly acclaimed folk-horror film Starve Acre, based on the acclaimed novel by Andrew Michael Hurley and starring former Doctor Who star Matt Smith.
The next event in the series takes place on October 3 and features acclaimed DJ and filmmaker Don Letts, alongside Britain’s first reggae band, The Cimarons, for the Newcastle Premiere of Harder Than the Rock, a documentary about the band and their enduring influence on the UK reggae scene.
This will then be followed by a visit from acclaimed British actor-director Alice Lowe for a screening of her critically lauded time travel black comedy, Timestalker, later in the month. Further details on these events can be found at https://tynesidecinema.co.uk/whats-on/.
Nic Greenan, CEO of Tyneside Cinema, said: “Q&As at The Tyneside are such unique, memorable experiences, which people just can’t get anywhere else.
“Having the Crown Plaza as our Q&A sponsor supporting what’s going to be an exciting season of guests, allows us as a charity to offer a unique stay and experience to filmmakers whilst visiting. This means that more writers, directors and producers can visit Newcastle.
“Our partners are so important to helping us continue to offer the unique experience of the Tyneside to guests and our audiences, and we’re very grateful to Crowne Plaza Newcastle for their support.”
Paul Borg, General Manager of the Crowne Plaza in Newcastle, said: “We are thrilled to engage in this partnership with Tyneside Cinema, a beloved cornerstone of the Newcastle community.
“Supporting local businesses is a core value for us, and Tyneside Cinema holds a special place in the hearts of many, including myself. We’re excited to collaborate with them and contribute to the vibrant cultural landscape of our city.”
The Q&A Screenings supported by Crowne Plaza Newcastle is the first in a series of planned tie-ups between the Tyneside and business supporters as the cinema pursues its plans to bring even more cultural events to the city.
Earlier this year, the Tyneside announced it had secured a £700,000 loan from the North East Social Investment Fund, managed by Northstar Ventures, to fund a major turnaround plan for the Grade II listed venue.
That was followed in July by news received a further investment of £545,000 in National Lottery grants from the British Film Institute (BFI) and The National Lottery Heritage Fund to further secure its future.
The Tyneside is now looking to bolster its revenues and expand its wide range of programmes by working with business supporters and by maximising the unique spaces in its Grade II listed building on Pilgrim Street in the city. Many of these are available for hire and an increasing number of people, businesses and organisations are hiring out spaces at the Tyneside for events including business breakfasts, film premieres and networking events.
More information on venue hire can be found at tynesidecinema.co.uk/event-hire/.
Image: Question time: director Daniel Kokotajlo takes part in the first Q&A supported by Crowne Plaza Newcastle at the Tyneside Cinema
