Bristol’s Forgotten IMAX: A Cinema’s Revival Story
BRISTOL — May 2, 2025 — The Bristol Megascreen, a landmark cinema in Bristol, awaits the light of its revival.A new documentary is shedding light on efforts to reinvigorate the now-shuttered IMAX theater, previously closed in 2007 due to high operating costs. The film underscores the struggles and triumphs of the community’s ambition to restore the cinema’s place in Bristol’s cultural landscape. To learn more about the upcoming premiere, read on.
Bristol’s Forgotten IMAX: A Cinema’s Revival Story
Bristol, a UNESCO city of film, is witnessing a remarkable resurgence of one of its cinematic gems. A new documentary, The Big Picture
, by local filmmaker Arthur Cauty, shines a light on the city center IMAX theater, now known as Bristol Megascreen, which shuttered its doors in 2007 due to high running costs adn dwindling attendance.
The Underdog Story
The film captures the underdog story
of this forgotten
cinema, now being lovingly revived by a dedicated group of film enthusiasts. While the venue has primarily served as a space for corporate events as its closure, a passionate team is breathing new life into it, envisioning a future where it operates as a community-run cinema.
Did You Know?
Bristol was designated a UNESCO City of Film in 2017, recognizing its rich cinematic history and vibrant film culture.
A Community’s Dream
Timon Singh, a key figure in this revival, expressed his desire to bring the overwhelming
IMAX experience back to the public. He emphasizes the meaning of having such a venue in Bristol, a city celebrated for its contributions to the film industry.
The Challenges and the Current Setup
The original IMAX projector, described as being about the size of a car
, remains in the venue.However, its operation presents meaningful challenges. The reels and equipment weigh nearly half a ton, requiring specialized equipment like a forklift for handling. Singh noted that running the IMAX projector could cost around £100,000 a year.
Currently, the Forbidden Worlds Film festival, organized by Singh and Dave Taylor, owner of Bristol video shop 20th Century Flicks, utilizes a 2K Christie projector for their events.
Hope for the Future
Singh hopes that public support for the cinema will grow, especially in the face of increasing cinema closures. He points out that for most people in the country, watching films on an IMAX screen means going to London.
the revival of Bristol Megascreen could provide a valuable alternative.
Filmmaker’s Perspective
Arthur Cauty’s motivation for creating the film stemmed from his surprise at not having heard about the cinema despite working in the Bristol film industry for a decade. He observed that a lot of people had just forgotten it was there.
Cauty also noted the challenges faced by the cinema in its early years, stating, In the early 2000s, I think it was kind of doomed to fail – IMAX is quite a challenging format and its popularity dropped off.
Premiere at Forbidden Worlds Film Festival
The Big Picture
premiered at the Forbidden Worlds Film Festival at Bristol Megascreen on May 28.The film offers a poignant look at the past, present, and potential future of this unique cinematic venue.
