Historic film formats, beloved classics, and rarely seen gems will feature in a long cinema weekend set to return to Bradford this year.
Widescreen Weekend will run from September 25 to 29.
The 29th edition of the festival will take place at Pictureville, at the National Science and Media Museum, where the venue’s world-class projection facilities will bring out the best of films in various formats – including 70mm and three-strip Cinerama.
(Image: Science Museum Group)
A highlight of this year’s festival will be the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Todd-AO 70mm film format: there will be screenings of such films as John Wayne’s The Alamo (1960) and David Lynch’s Dune (1984) in a rare 70mm print presentation.
The IMAX screen will host a double bill of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part One (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024), as well as an all-night Batman marathon featuring back-to-back screenings of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005, 2008, 2012).
Cinerama fans can look forward to two authentic three-strip screenings: This is Cinerama (1952) and The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1963), as well as a digital restoration of Cinerama Holiday (1955).
The festival will also spotlight Korean widescreen cinema through a partnership with the Korean Film Archive.
Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy (2003), on 35mm, and 4k restorations of dark occult classic The Hut (1981) and Kim Ki-young’s Goryeojang (1963), will be screened as part of the partnership.
Among other things, there will be celebrations to mark the centenary of the birth of Hollywood icon Jack Lemmon; and a look at Julie Andrews’ career beyond The Sound of Music during the week of her birthday.
Sally Folkard, head of screen and cultural engagement, said: “We’re delighted to welcome audiences back to Pictureville for the 29th edition of Widescreen Weekend.
“This year’s programme is a true celebration of cinematic innovation and global storytelling – from the pioneering spectacle of Todd-AO on its 70th anniversary to our special partnership with the Korean Film Archive, showcasing Korean cinema to our audiences.
“We are extremely proud to continue to celebrate film on film, and our world-class projection facilities, including our ability to keep Cinerama alive – offering multiple chances to experience the format over the festival, as the only remaining venue regularly screening Cinerama to the public.”
The full programme and passes are available on the National Science and Media Museum website at scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/cinema/widescreen-weekend.
