ALL OF US STRANGERS at Upper Norwood Library
A New Chapter for Cinema in Crystal Palace
On Friday 9 October, Crystal Palace Community Cinema officially opened its doors with a special screening of Andrew Haigh’s ALL OF US STRANGERS at Upper Norwood Library.
It was a wonderful evening that brought local film lovers together to celebrate cinema, community and the beginning of an exciting new venture for Crystal Palace.
For our very first event, we chose Andrew Haigh’s beautiful and deeply moving South London love story, starring Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Claire Foy and Jamie Bell. A film about love, loneliness, memory and human connection, it felt like a fitting choice for a community cinema that hopes to bring people together through a shared love of film.
We sold 70 tickets for our launch screening, welcoming 56 attendees to the Burgundy Room at Upper Norwood Library. Seeing so many people come out to support a new community initiative was incredibly encouraging, and a reminder of just how much appetite there is for local cultural events.
Bringing Cinema Back to the Community
Crystal Palace Community Cinema was founded with a simple ambition: to bring people together through film.
We're a volunteer-run, not-for-profit initiative dedicated to making cinema affordable, accessible and sociable, while showcasing an adventurous mix of independent, international, documentary and classic films alongside much-loved favourites.
Our launch was an important first step towards that ambition. Beyond the film itself, the evening was an opportunity for neighbours to meet, discover a new local event and experience the magic of watching a great film together.
The positive feedback we've received since the event has been especially heartening, and we're already looking ahead to what comes next.
A Huge Thank You
Our first screening wouldn't have been possible without the generosity and enthusiasm of some brilliant local organisations and individuals.
A huge thank you to Upper Norwood Library Hub for welcoming us into their space, Cinema For All and Free Film Festivals for their support, equipment and expertise, and Sweet Child of Mine for helping us provide some delicious cinema treats.
And, of course, thank you to our fantastic team of volunteers, who generously gave their time and energy to make the evening happen.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, came along and supported our very first screening. Community cinema can only thrive when the community gets behind it, and we're so grateful that you did.
What's Next?
This is just the beginning!
We're hoping to build a regular programme of film events across Crystal Palace, working with different local venues and organisations to create welcoming, affordable film experiences for everyone.
As a new volunteer-led initiative, we're learning as we go, but our ambition remains the same: to create a sustainable community cinema shaped by the people and character of Crystal Palace.
Want to join us for our next screening?
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We can't wait to welcome you back to the cinema.
We'll always have Crystal Palace. 💙