INTRODUCTION
Launched on 26 September 2012, FILMBOX is a community cinema club open to all. We usually have two film nights each month during term time with a double bill (two films showing) whenever possible.
Films are shown on our large screens in Studio 609, a dedicated studio theatre space with HD projection, stereo sound and comfortable tiered upholstered seating (120 seats, 96 with excellent viewing) and in the Performance Hall (418 seats for films, 500+ for theatre and concerts).
We are based at the amazing state-of-the art 2011 development, Langley Park Centre for the Performing Arts (LPCPA) created for Langley Park School for Boys, in Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BP (UK).
 Langley Park Centre for the Performing Arts at Langley Park School for Boys with ample free off-street parking |
 Our Screen 2, Studio 609, seats up to 120 |
FILMBOX offers a friendly, great value, social cinema for grown-ups (and younger patrons, where appropriate). There is no other sizeable independent cinema in the whole of the London Borough of Bromley, so we want a cinema that gives us a wider and more diverse range of films to enjoy on the big screen with a great audience, on our doorstep.
Want to see a film and meet up with friends for a social drink?
Missed what you really wanted to see at the local cinema – again?!
Want to enjoy your favourite film on the BIG screen?
Too tired and busy to go up to London to see a film?
Spent all your money on the (grand-)children?
Slumped at home on the sofa in front of the TV?
Then FILMBOX Community Cinema is for YOU!
All local residents and visitors welcome – you don’t have to be a member to come and watch films here.
STATUS
FILMBOX Community Cinema is a fully-constituted members’ cinema club but most of our screenings are also open to the public. It is a ‘not-for-profit’ self-funded venture, until a few years ago co-run independently by staff, parents and volunteers from the Langley Park School for Boys, together with local residents in the London Borough of Bromley and south east London. More recently there is less direct involvement of staff and students volunteers, but the relationship between cinema and school remains strong.
We are informally associated with, but not administered or funded by, Langley Park School for Boys and are very grateful for the support and encouragement provided by the School community. We pay venue/ equipment/ duty manager hire to Langley Park Centre for the Performing Arts for all of our events.
Our surplus funds go to further FILMBOX’s aims as well as occasionally to national and local charities. We have a committee, a constitution, are registered with HMRC and our accounts are independently verified. We also pay licences to screen our films, to film distribution companies, such as Filmbank Distribution, Cinema for All and MPLC, and we abide by BBFC classification.
HISTORY
FILMBOX was a twinkle in the eye of Vivienne Clark (a Film Studies teacher at LPSB and writer on film/media) when the new school building programme was announced, and grew into a bright projector beam when she first saw the theatre in Studio 609 in March 2012. She was very fortunate to have had the help of Sarah Niblock (who stepped down from the committee in March 2019) since the very start and they are both very grateful to all who have helped to create and run FILMBOX, past and present.
We started with one film per month and went to two films per month from September 2013. In 2016 we introduced our double bills with two films showing on most film nights. The Covid Pandemic severely disrupted arrangements but we have been re-building our membership ever since and now offer a double bill on film nights whenever practicable.
We launched with a free screening of The Artist, kindly facilitated by a grant from Bromley Arts Council, on 26 September 2012. The main film was preceded by a Buster Keaton short film, Backstage, accompanied live by Laurence Panter on the grand piano. Over 330 people attended and we haven’t looked back since.
 At our launch 2012 |
 Laurence Panter |
 FILMBOX at the BFI winning a Highly Commended award for Best New Community Cinema in 2013 from Cinema for All |
FILMBOX ASSOCIATES
FILMBOX is a member of Cinema for All (formerly the British Federation of Film Societies), Bromley Arts Council (BAC) as well as part of Film Hub London. We follow the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) guidelines.
MEET THE TEAM
FILMBOX Committee and Management Team – all are voluntary posts
Chair – Jill Webb (C)
Treasurer – Deirdre Linehan (C)
Committee Secretary – Elizabeth Harris (C)
Membership Secretary & Venue Box Office – Anthony Jenkins (C)
Online Box Office Manager – Gary Critten
Programme Notes & Tasters – Mike Darbon & David Fowler (C co-optees)
Volunteer Organiser – Jill Webb (C)
Bar & Concessions Purchaser – Anthony Jenkins (C)
Website Development and Maintenance – Paul Tanner (C)
Marketing Lead – Paul Tanner (C)
Instagram & Facebook Development & Maintenance – David Fowler (C) & Paul Tanner (C)
Poster/Leaflet Design and Production – David Fowler (C) & Paul Tanner (C)
Social Team – Jill Webb, Dave & Helen Shepherd, Anthony Jenkins (C)
Bar/Café Manager – Karen Smithson & Dave Shepherd (C)
The Langley Park Centre for the Performing Arts (LPCPA) theatre team, who are employed by LPCPA and whose facilities we hire:
Theatre Manager – TBC
Duty Managers – Katie Gregory & TBC
Projectionist – Monty Morris
MORE INFO
FILMBOX runs on a regular (usually fortnightly) basis during Term time (so not in August when we are closed).
Our FILMBOX fully licensed bar and venue box office open at 7pm and the film programmes typically start at 7.30pm and 7.45pm. If a film is longer than usual, it may start at 7:15pm. There are sometimes introductions and other features, such as live music, which precede the film, which will then start later than the programme start time. Free film notes on each film are provided.
Click HERE TO SEE WHAT’S ON AND TO BOOK TICKETS.
Tickets are bookable in advance online and usually available on the door from 7pm on a film night.
FILMBOX operates as a members’ club and offers Annual Membership for regular film-goers who’d like to save money.
NON-MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!
See our other web pages for plenty more info or visit our INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK pages.