Strand Cinema

The Strand Arts Centre is an independent four-screen cinema in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is one of the two remaining independent cinemas in Belfast, alongside the Queen's Film Theatre. It is located on the Holywood Road. It has long been acclaimed for being one of the cheapest cinemas in Belfast.[1]

The Strand Arts Centre

Opened in 1935, the cinema's art-deco design was influenced by its proximity to the nearby shipyard of Harland & Wolff, featuring curved walls and portholed foyer. The cinema underwent various unsympathetic renovations throughout the 1960s and 1970s. From 1984 to 1987, The Strand was re-opened as a live concert venue by local businessman, Ronnie Rutherford.[2] In 1999, the building was restored to its original Streamline Moderne style, and remains a landmark in east Belfast. Following its restoration, the Strand won a RIBA Architecture Award.[2]

The Strand originally built for an English Unions Cinema chain, and consisted of a single screen. The first film to be shown in the theatre was Bright Eyes featuring Shirley Temple.[2]

The Strand is one of the venues for the Belfast Film Festival, during which it screens classic films.[3] During the 2005 festival the cinema celebrated its 70th birthday by screening A Night to Remember, the 1958 film about the sinking of RMS Titanic, built by Harland & Wolff.

In 2012, The Strand once again offered live theatre as it did in the past, beginning with The Strand Star search, a talent show to find new acts for its new variety nights.