Curzon Cinema to open in New Cross
A pioneering partnership between Goldsmiths, University of London and Curzon Cinemas is to bring full-time cinema to Lewisham after a gap of 15 years.
Curzon Goldsmiths will show films to the public on weekday evenings and all day at weekends. The cinema on the university’s New Cross campus is due to open at the end of January 2016.
It is the first such partnership between a university and cinema company and gives Goldsmiths one of the country’s best campus cinemas in the country. Curzon Goldsmiths is part of the Curzon Connect initiative that includes screens at Arthouse Crouch End, Curzon Mondrian London and Pinewood Cinema.
The move also means Lewisham now has a full-time cinema and is no longer the only London borough without such a facility. Lewisham lost its last full-time cinema when the Cannon in Catford closed in 2001.
Patrick Loughrey, Warden of Goldsmiths, University of London said: “Cinema has always been a vital part of Goldsmiths. From Oscar-winners to the use of film in research and teaching across the university, we have a rich screen heritage.
“Film has always brought people together, and this partnership with Curzon will helps us share our love of cinema with the local community, London and the wider world.”
Mel Alcock, COO of Curzon has said: “We are delighted to be working together with Goldsmiths to bring diverse, high-quality independent film programming to the local community.
“Through the Curzon Connect programme, we pride ourselves in working with likeminded organisations and look forward to seeing this new screen work in tandem with upcoming educational strands and courses presented at the campus.”
Ticket prices at Curzon Goldsmiths range from £6 to £12 with all students paying £7.
The revamped cinema includes a Sony 4k projector and 7.1 sound. The facilities also include a hearing support system which delivers descriptive narration for the visually impaired and amplified sound for the hearing impaired.
The exciting development builds on Goldsmiths’ film and cinema heritage. Our alumni include Oscar-winners Steve McQueen and Colin Welland, Sam Taylor-Johnson and the Bollywood actress Kalki Koechlin.
Sir Alfred Hitchcock is also said to have attended Goldsmiths, studying on a series of art courses during the first half of the 20th century.
The next generation of film-makers is also being shaped at the world-leading Screen School, based in the Department of Media and Communications.
More details of the cinema including the public opening date are due to follow shortly. Ticket prices are as follows: Adults £12, Seniors £8, All students £7, Child £6
So one week into the year, one of my 2016 predictions has come to pass. Admittedly, I had some inside knowledge thanks to my involvement with Goldsmiths, but it's one thing hearing about these plans, it's another seeing them materialise.
As well as being incredibly exciting in its own right, this announcement is another step in the development of the Goldsmiths campus, which, together with a new gallery, workspaces and projects yet to come, will slowly transform the heart of New Cross for the better.
