By Jerome Whittingham, Stoke Creates
Stoke Film Theatre has marked its 50th anniversary with a special relaunch event at its new home, The Wade Centre in Hartshill. The celebration featured speeches from key figures, including Grace Jordan, Director of the theatre, trustee Jill, and Deputy Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Steve Watkins. The event drew in local supporters, volunteers, and community leaders, emphasising the theatre’s enduring role in North Staffordshire’s cultural landscape.
Grace Jordan opened the event with a warm welcome, acknowledging the absence of the Film Theatre’s Chair, Peter, due to illness. Grace delivered Peter’s prepared remarks, which reflected on the theatre’s journey since its founding in 1974 by the British Film Institute. Initially established to extend the work of the National Film Theatre beyond London, Stoke Film Theatre quickly became a cultural hub for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Over the years, it has showcased nearly 90 films annually from around 20 countries, many of which would not have been screened locally otherwise.
Grace highlighted the theatre’s longstanding commitment to film education, recalling past events such as silent film screenings accompanied by live music and one of the UK’s first showcases of Black British cinema. These initiatives, along with collaborations with mental health charities and a diverse programme of independent and international cinema, have cemented the theatre’s reputation as a cornerstone of the local arts community.
The venue shift to The Wade Centre is seen as a fresh beginning for the Film Theatre. Jordan expressed gratitude to the Medical Institute, which operates the venue, for their partnership and support in facilitating the theatre’s new chapter. She also paid tribute to the many volunteers and staff who have worked tirelessly to keep the theatre afloat, particularly during the challenging last few years marked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Deputy Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Cllr Steve Watkins, shared personal anecdotes about his own connection to the Film Theatre, recalling late-night screenings from his youth that introduced him to iconic films such as Duck Soup by the Marx Brothers. His speech was light-hearted, reflecting the joyful atmosphere of the evening, and he expressed pride in the theatre’s continued impact on the local community.
The relaunch event concluded with a celebratory screening of ‘Lee’, about the life of documentary photographer Lee Miller, in the newly refurbished space, marking the beginning of a new season for Stoke Film Theatre at The Wade Centre.
As the theatre looks to the future, there is a sense of optimism that it will continue to thrive, engaging new generations of film lovers while maintaining its commitment to showcasing diverse and independent cinema.