Rural Reels

The Home of Community Cinema in Worcestershire

More Than a Movie

Connecting 18 Worcestershire village communities through film, friendship, and fantastic cinema. Rural Reels is a partnership of 18 local village halls across Worcestershire. We are a collective, volunteer-led movement that transforms these local spaces into high-quality, temporary movie theatres. Our mission is to combat rural isolation and bring a diverse, affordable programme of films—from classics to independent features—right to the heart of your community. It's cinema for our rural villages, run entirely by dedicated local volunteers.

The Power of Local Screens

Click on any card to discover the unique benefits that Rural Reels brings to our member halls and villages.

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Social Hub

Fights isolation & builds connections

Building Connections

These events provide a relaxed, friendly setting for neighbours to meet and socialise, helping to reduce loneliness and strengthen the fabric of the community.

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Accessible & Local

Entertainment on your doorstep

Right Around the Corner

By using local village halls, Rural Reels makes film accessible to those who may face transport or mobility challenges, ensuring everyone can enjoy a night at the movies.

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Film Diversity

Beyond the blockbusters

A World of Cinema

We offer curated programmes that include independent, foreign, classic, and documentary films, broadening cultural horizons and providing a richer cinematic experience.

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Affordable Night Out

Great value entertainment

Value for Everyone

As non-profit ventures, tickets are priced affordably, making cinema an accessible cultural activity for all members of the community, regardless of income.

How Does Rural Reels Work?

The strength of Rural Reels lies in our network and simple, dedicated volunteer efforts.

Passionate Volunteers

Each of the 18 village halls has its own local team of volunteers. They choose the films, manage bookings, and promote the screenings specifically for their community.

Shared Resources & Rights

Our Support Partner Arts Alive secure film licenses centrally, which makes it easier and more affordable for all 18 halls to show a vast catalogue of films publicly.

Pop-Up Perfection

Using modern, high-definition projectors, screens, and sound systems, volunteers transform their hall into an immersive cinema for the evening.

The Community Event

Locals enjoy the film, often with a glass of wine or homemade refreshments. Ticket sales and refreshment profits go directly back to sustaining the local hall and the Rural Reels network.

Our History

10 Years of Community Cinema

The Beginning (2011)

The Rural Reels story started back in 2011, when Malvern Hills District Council, with a budget of £10,000, initiated a project to bring widescreen, surround sound cinema to local communities. The aim was to improve the quality of life for people in rural locations who had limited access to services and transport.

In the Malvern Hills district, 46% of small rural communities at that time, were in the worst 10% nationally, for geographical barriers to services (Rural Strategy for the Malvern Hills 2011). Not only were such rural communities disadvantaged by not having access to high streets, retail parks, entertainment (both live and as spectators) but also a lack of public transport to reach those facilities. At that time the cost of a trip to the cinema was estimated to be £8 per ticket, plus petrol, parking and refreshment costs. This made access prohibitive, particularly for the elderly, young, people on low incomes and those with no access to a vehicle who were totally reliant on inadequate public transport.

10 Years of Success

810 Films Shown

Over 33,000 audience members

Most Popular Film

Fisherman's Friends (13 screenings, avg 40 audience)

10th Anniversary Celebration

On 6th September 2023, Rural Reels celebrated its 10th Anniversary. In celebration, most venues showed Steven Spielberg's 2022 film, "The Fabelmans" during the month.

Our Venues

Community Cinema Locations Across Worcestershire

Rural Reels Partner Venues

Support Partner

Arts Alive as Support Partner

Arts Alive is a key partner for Rural Reels that provides licences for all of the films shown as well as advice on new films, and films that have been popular at other venues. Their expertise and support has been instrumental in helping us bring quality cinema to rural communities across Worcestershire.

How to Book

Your Guide to Attending Rural Reels Screenings

Booking Information

Important Note

You need to book directly with each venue - not with Rural Reels centrally. Each venue manages their own bookings and ticket sales.

Just Turn Up

For most screenings, you can simply arrive on the night and pay at the door. Tickets are typically £5 and payment is usually cash, though some venues also accept contactless payments.

Most venues operate on a first-come, first-served basis
Pre-Booking Required

Some special events require advance booking, especially those that include food with the film. These events often have limited capacity and may sell out.

Look for booking details in the event information
Online Booking

Many of our venues now offer online booking through their websites. This is particularly convenient for special events or if you want to guarantee your seat.

Tip: Check the venue listings above - many include links to their websites where you can find booking information and contact details.

How to Book:

  1. Check the Event Details
    Look at the "Information for audiences" section for each screening to see if booking is required and for any special instructions.
  2. Visit the Venue Website
    Use the links in our Venues section to visit the hall's website for booking information, directions, and contact details.
  3. Contact the Venue
    If online booking isn't available, call or email the venue directly using the contact information on their website.
  4. Arrive Early
    Whether you've booked or not, arrive 15-30 minutes before the show starts to get settled and perhaps enjoy a drink from the bar.
Pro Tips
  • Many venues open their bars 30 minutes before the film starts
  • Bring cash as not all venues accept card payments
  • Check if the venue offers interval refreshments - it's part of the community cinema experience!
  • Some venues have limited parking, so check directions on their website

Fans Group

Join Our Community of Cinema Enthusiasts

Rural Reels Friends and Fans Group

Connect with fellow cinema lovers across Worcestershire! Our Facebook group is the heart of our community, where film enthusiasts come together to share their passion for movies.

Stay Updated

Get the latest information about Rural Reels events, new venue announcements, and special screenings.

Share Your Experience

Tell us about the films you've enjoyed at our venues and help other community members discover great cinema.

Suggest Films

Have a film you'd love to see at your local venue? Share your suggestions and help shape our future programming.

What You'll Find in Our Group
  • Latest announcements about upcoming screenings
  • Behind-the-scenes stories from our volunteer teams
  • Film recommendations and reviews from community members
  • Discussions about classic and contemporary cinema
  • Updates on new venues joining the Rural Reels network
  • Special events and celebrations

Ready to Join the Conversation?

Whether you're a regular attendee at our screenings or just discovering Rural Reels, our Facebook group welcomes all lovers of community cinema in Worcestershire.

Join Rural Reels Friends and Fans Group
You'll need a Facebook account to join our group. The group is moderated to ensure a friendly, welcoming environment for all members.

What's On

Upcoming Film Showings

Find Us on Facebook

For the most up-to-date information on upcoming events and film showings, visit our Facebook page.

Visit Our Facebook Page