Strand Arts Centre brings film fun to Newcastle

Strand Arts Centre is teaming up with Newcastle Community Cinema and Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive to screen special cinematic events as part of the BFI Britain on Film – Coast and Sea project.

Comprising archive footage, screenings and events celebrating the UK’s coastal and maritime heritage, the project is funded by BFI Film Audience Network.

The ballroom of the Slieve Donard Hotel is the perfect backdrop for a screening of Roald Dahl’s classic family film, The Witches (30th July). Starring Anjelica Huston, the film is set in a hotel that is hosting a convention of witches.

The Grand High Witch reveals a plan to turn all children into mice through a magical formula. When they find that one of the young guests staying at the hotel has overheard, the witches test the formula on him. Kids are encouraged to dress up as a witch (or a mouse) and the event begins with a mask-making workshop run by Down Community Arts followed by a chocolate mice hunt in the hotel! 

THE WITCHES MOVIE & MOUSE HUNT, THE SLIEVE DONARD HOTEL, SUNDAY 30 JULY, 2:30PM

Later that evening, things turn even darker (over 15s only) with the British comedy Hotel Splendide in which the Slieve Donard features. Before the screening, catch some archive footage of the Slieve Donard including Gloria Hunniford performing in the ballroom! Special cocktails will be on sale and audiences might like to dress as characters from the film.

Set on a remote island off the coast, Hotel Splendide follows Ronald Blanche (Daniel Craig) and his family’s attempt to revitalise this dark and dreary spa hotel following the death of Ronald's mother, the family matriarch. After receiving an anonymous letter informing her of the death, former sous chef Kath (Toni Collette) returns to the hotel to transform it with her cooking. 

HOTEL SPLENDIDE, THE SLIEVE DONARD HOTEL, SUNDAY 30 JULY, 8:00PM