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Cinema in the City

Cinema in the City brings independent cinema to unexpected locations across Liverpool, creating unique film experiences in some of the city’s most iconic and hidden spaces. From rooftops to warehouses, museums to historic landmarks, Cinema in the City presents bold, thought-provoking films in immersive settings — celebrating the power of cinema to bring people together.

At the heart of Cinema in the City is a passion for showcasing the very best in independent film — from critically acclaimed features and cult classics to underrepresented voices and emerging talent. Each screening is carefully curated and often accompanied by food and drink from local traders, making for a memorable social and cultural experience.

Upcoming Films

Want to know what’s coming up? Check the latest screenings here or join our mailing list.

Previous Screenings

Every screening is a cinematic experience shaped by its setting. Since launching in 2021, Cinema in the City has hosted a wide range of screenings in distinctive venues across Liverpool, some recent highlights include:

  • Ammonite (dir. Francis Lee) — a tender period romance exploring the life and love of 19th-century palaeontologist Mary Anning. Screened beneath the stars on the rooftop of the Cotton Exchange, the evening combined city views with a hauntingly beautiful story of forbidden desire.
  • Harold and Maude (dir. Hal Ashby) — a darkly comic cult classic about a young man obsessed with death who falls in love with a life-affirming older woman. Shown as a Valentine’s Weekend special in the atmospheric setting of the Ullet Road Church, the screening was both irreverent and heartwarming.
  • But I'm a Cheerleader (dir. Jamie Babbit) — a satirical queer comedy about a teenager sent to a conversion therapy camp, rich in camp visuals and heartfelt rebellion. Screened from VHS at VideOdyssey in Toxteth — one of the UK’s last remaining video rental shops — this event paid homage to retro formats and queer cinema history.
  • Pete’s Dragon (2016, dir. David Lowery) — a magical family adventure about a young boy and his dragon companion, blending live-action with heartfelt fantasy. This family-friendly matinee took place in a converted Victorian warehouse, offering a relaxed and welcoming space for audiences of all ages.
  • Dust and Metal (dir. Esther Johnson) — a lyrical, experimental documentary exploring Vietnam’s relationship with cinema, motorbikes and memory. Part of Star Nhà Ease: Vietnamese Cinema, a UK-wide touring festival, the film was presented at Pagoda Arts with a live electronic music score, blending archive footage with live sound to stunning effect.
  • Iris Prize ‘Best of Fest’ Short Films — a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ cinema, presented in collaboration with The Iris Prize, an international festival that champions diverse queer storytelling. This curated selection of award-winning shorts from the Iris Prize Film Festival was screened at Exchange Station, located in the heart of Liverpool’s Pride Quarter.

FACT presents

Cinema in the City: Monica [15]

Co-written and directed by Andrea Pallaoro, 'Monica' is an intimate portrait of a woman who returns home after a long absence to confront the wounds of her past.

  • Running time: 113 mins
  • Genre: Drama
  • Fri, 16 Feb
  • 19:00

FACT presents

Cinema in the City: Queendom [15]

Director Agniia Galdanova’s 'Queendom' follows the remarkable story of Gena Marvin, an artist from a small town in Russia who dresses in otherworldly costumes and protests on the streets of Moscow.

  • Running time: 98 mins
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Sat, 17 Feb
  • 19:00

FACT presents

Cinema in the City: Ran Dong (The Breaking Ice) [15]

Directed by Anthony Chen, Ran Dong (The Breaking Ice) follows the blossoming relationship among three young adults in their twenties, set over a few short days in the winter snow.

  • Running time: 97 mins
  • Genre: Drama
  • Thu, 16 May
  • 18:00

FACT presents

Cinema in the City: The Little Girl of Hanoi [15]

Directed by Hải Ninh, this compelling drama will be complemented by an original live musical response from London-based music producer and DJ, Nammy Wams.

  • Running time: 90 mins
  • Genre: Drama
  • Fri, 17 May
  • 18:00

FACT presents

Cinema in the City: Ping Pong [PG]

Join us for a special screening of Leong Po Chih’s 1986 mystery-comedy, Ping Pong, screened for the very first time in high-definition thanks to a recent re-release.

  • Running time: 100 mins
  • Genre: Comedy-Drama
  • Sat, 18 May
  • 18:00

FACT presents

Cinema in the City: Dust & Metal [15]

This special screening of director Esther Johnson’s archive essay film is transformed into a unique and immersive experience with an accompanying live score from Xo Xinh.

  • Running time: 82 mins
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Sun, 19 May
  • 18:00

FACT's Cinema in the City presents

Harold and Maude [15]

SOLD OUT. Director Hal Ashby’s darkly comic love story defies all expectations. Harold and Maude (1971) follows a death-obsessed 20-year-old and a vibrant 79-year-old who share an unlikely connection.

  • Running time: 91 mins
  • Genre: Romance / Comedy
  • Fri, 14 Feb
  • 19:00

FACT's Cinema in the City presents

Bones and All [18]

Love blossoms between a young woman (Taylor Russell) on the margins of society and a disenfranchised drifter (Timothée Chalamet) as they embark on a 3,000-mile odyssey through the backroads of America.

  • Running time: 130 mins
  • Genre: Drama
  • Sat, 15 Feb
  • 15:00

FACT's Cinema in the City presents

Solo [15]

Watch ahead of theatrical release, Solo (2025) tells the story of Simon, a rising star of Montreal’s drag queen scene dealing with two impossible loves: a passionate yet destructive romance and a difficult relationship with...

  • Running time: 101 mins
  • Genre: Romance / Drama
  • Sat, 15 Feb
  • 19:00

FACT's Cinema in the City presents

The Blue Caftan [12]

Halim and Mina run a traditional caftan store in one of Morocco's oldest medinas. In order to keep up with the commands of the demanding customers, they hire Youssef. Slowly Mina realizes how much her...

  • Running time: 122 mins
  • Genre: Romance / Drama
  • Sun, 16 Feb
  • 19:00

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