About

Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre - home to Portsmouth Film Society - is where you can see great films in a social environment. Meet like-minded film fans, chat about the latest releases and watch great movies that you might not otherwise get a chance to see.

Southsea Cinema Café is open from 12pm to 7pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Annual membership rates are available, allowing you to see films at a great price-per-film, and gives members the chance to suggest the films that will be shown in the future.

Southsea Cinema and Portsmouth Film Society are not-for-profit, and all money from membership fees goes towards promoting the society and booking films and events for members to enjoy.

For a full programme of Southsea Cinema's events and upcoming screenings see the what's on guide.

You can also find out how to become a member on the Southsea Cinema website.

As well as its cinema in Southsea, Portsmouth Film Society also brings the best in brand new cinema, cult movies, and classic films to venues across the city. Don't miss the Outdoor Screenings, held at amazing venues throughout Portsmouth. Previous Outdoor Screening venues have included Victoria Park, Southsea Castle and the gardens of Cumberland House Natural History Museum.

The cinema also hosts regular exhibitions from local and national artists. The programme is ever-changing so be sure to keep an eye on the Southsea Cinema website to see what's on display now and what is coming up soon.

Freya Perry: Passion for Color Exhibition
3D and Mixed Media Artist. Writer.
1st - 30th April 2024 at Southsea Cinema and Arts Centre

Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre's latest exhibition features work by Freya Perry, a renowned 3D and mixed media artist and writer. Titled "Passion for Color" this exhibition will run from 1 to 30 April, showcasing Perry's vibrant and emotionally resonant artworks.

Perry's journey with colour began in childhood, where she found solace and expression in the hues of her clothing and surroundings. Despite early setbacks, her passion for colour persisted, leading her to explore its psychological and healing dimensions in adulthood. Perry's deep connection to colour is reflected in her artwork, which serves as both a personal expression and a means of healing.

A pivotal moment in Perry's life came in 2014 when she experienced a head injury. This incident propelled her towards art as a form of self-expression and healing. Through mixed media art using acrylics, Perry found solace and purpose, with her artwork gaining international recognition. Alongside her visual art, Perry's writing also flourished, with stories and poems centered around colour and the senses.

In 2024, Perry revisits her childhood passion for storytelling by resurrecting children's stories and fairytales, alongside creating 3D artwork for the main characters. Additionally, she embraces performance art, delighting audiences with colourful storytelling sessions.

As part of the exhibition, Perry will also be participating in the Pompey Poetry Party event at Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre on 1 April. Her mixed media paintings will serve as the backdrop for the evening, where she will share lighthearted and enchanting poems.

The exhibition opens with a reception on 1 April at 5pm, followed by the Poetry evening at 6pm, featuring performances by talented poets. Visitors are encouraged to attend and experience the enchanting world of Freya Perry's art and storytelling.

PFS Green Film Festival
22 - 26 May

Portsmouth Film Society hosts a Green Film Festival, showcasing a selection of thought-provoking films and engaging events centered around environmental issues and sustainability.

Programme Highlights:

Wednesday, May 22nd

1pm: The Oil Machine (PG)
Free screening for school children. This film delves into the North Sea oil industry, exploring its environmental and economic impact.

7pm: Wilding
Witness a dying landscape that defies the odds, healing and thriving in remarkable ways, in this UK documentary directed by David Allen.

Thursday, May 23rd

6.30pm: Portsmouth Climate Choir
Join in for an evening of inspiring melodies.

7pm: Six Inches of Soil (PG)
A documentary highlighting the efforts of three British farmers striving to revolutionize food production. Six Inches of Soil tells the story of remarkable farmers, communities, small businesses, chefs and entrepreneurs who are leading the way to transform how our food is produced and consumed.
Stay for a post-film discussion led by the Climate Justice Coalition SE Hants Hub.

Saturday, May 25th

1pm: Climate Change of The Facts Workshops
Dive deep into the facts of climate change with workshops hosted by Portsmouth Climate Action (donations £5).
What do we need to do to stop climate breakdown- and how can you help? This workshop uses interactive exercises to shine a light on how our way of life is fuelling extreme weather and what changes in diet, travel and consumption would make the most difference. The facilitator, Nick Sebley, co-wrote the Climate Emergency Declaration that led to the City of Portsmouth having a 2030 net zero target, and was the lead advisor for the University of Portsmouth's Climate Positive Policy. 

7pm: Wilding
Encore screening with a guest speaker sharing insights and perspectives. (2nd screening)

Sunday, May 26th

2pm: Greenpeace Portsmouth Films
Enjoy a collection of films by Greenpeace Portsmouth (free entry).

3pm: The Oil Machine (PG)
The Oil Machine explores our economic, historical and emotional entanglement with oil by looking at the conflicting imperatives around North Sea oil. This invisible machine at the core of our economy and society now faces an uncertain future as activists and investors demand change. Is this the end of oil? By highlighting the complexities of how oil is embedded in our society - from high finance to cheap consumer goods - The Oil Machine brings together a wide range of voices from young activists, oil company executives, economists to pension fund managers and considers how this machine can be tamed, dismantled, or repurposed. We have five to ten years to control our oil addiction, and yet the licensing of new oil fields is seen to be in direct contradiction with the Paris Climate Agreement. The drama of global climate action is playing out in the fight over North Sea oil.

6pm: How to Blow up a Pipeline
A crew of young environmental activists execute a daring mission to sabotage an oil pipeline, in Daniel Goldhaber's taut and timely thriller that is part high-stakes heist, part radical exploration of the climate crisis. Based on the controversial book by Andreas Malm. An explosive adaptation of Andreas Malm's treatise, How to Blow Up a Pipeline delivers a high-stakes eco-thriller ignited by riveting and complex antiheroes.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to engage with important environmental issues through the power of film and community discussion.