Experience World Exclusive Three-Strip Cinerama, Only At The National Science And Media Museum’s Pictureville Cinema

On Sunday 16 March 2025, the National Science and Media Museum’s Pictureville Cinema will be hosting a rare screening of This Is Cinerama (1952) presented in its original three-strip Cinerama format. As the only public venue in the world showcasing this unique experience, Pictureville Cinema offers an unmissable opportunity to experience one of cinema’s most pioneering achievements as it was intended to be seen.

This Is Cinerama (1952), directed by Mike Todd, introduced audiences to the revolutionary Cinerama process. Cinerama uses three synchronised projectors on a curved screen to expand the film’s aspect ratio, engaging the audience’s peripheral vision for a more immersive experience. The film features breathtaking scenes of locations such as Venice and Niagara Falls, showcasing this incredible, and now rarely experienced, technology.

After the screening, attendees are invited to stay for an exclusive tour of Pictureville’s world-class projection facilities to discover more about the ground-breaking, now rarely-seen, process. The event, led by the cinema’s team of highly skilled projectionists, is a unique opportunity to discover more about film technology at such a close level, as well as the history of Pictureville cinema itself. Situated in the heart of Bradford, UNESCO City of Film, Pictureville is the the largest independent cinema in Yorkshire, as well as the home of Europe’s first IMAX screen. As an integral piece of cinema history, it remains a must-visit destination for film enthusiasts and visitors to the region.

The cinema’s annual Widescreen Weekend film festival will also be returning later in the year for its 29th edition, running from 25 – 29 September. The festival celebrates large-screen formats, championing big and bold cinema experiences through specially curated programming and events. Tickets and programme announcements are still to come for the festival, with more details revealed on the museum’s website and social media channels in the coming months.