Aldeburgh Cinema

Welcome to the Aldeburgh Cinema Website

Aldeburgh Cinema has a fascinating history: it has been screening films continuously since 1919 when the auditorium was built onto the back of a 19th Century shop. The auditorium retains a number of original features, including art deco lights. For many years the cinema was privately run but in the mid 1960s was in danger of closing. A group of local people, led by Lettie Gifford (whose contribution is recognised by plaques in the Foyer & also the delightful walled garden at the rear) and including the composer Benjamin Britten & his partner Peter Pears, banded together to buy the cinema and run it on behalf of the local community.

Since then the cinema has gone from strength to strength. Grants from the National Lottery have enabled the foyer to be transformed and the auditorium to be refurnished to a very high standard, including Quinette seating, acknowledged as the best in the world. The cinema was a founder member of the UK Film Council's Digital Screen Network and is equiped with a 2K High Definition projector, enabling it to broaden its programme and screen films in pristine condition, in addition to a pair of 35mm projectors. The cinema also boasts Digital Dolby Stereo, a PA  system and a Bechstein grand piano.

In 1995 the cinema started the Aldeburgh Documentary Film Festival which has welcomed many of the best documentary filmmakers in the UK over the years to introduce their work to sell out audiences. In 2009, the 15th Festival hosted sessions from JPaul Greengrass, Sue Bourne, Hugh Fearnley-Whitingstall, Adam Nicholson & Claire Whalley. The next Documentary festival takes place 26th – 28th November.

The cinema also hosts a Children’s Film Festival in October and numerous special events, including live opera & ballet from the New York Met & the Royal Opera House.