To coincide with the launch of Entertainment One’s The BFG and the Roald Dahl 100, Film Hub Wales and Chapter launch a major season of film across 49 unique locations.
Fans of all ages will be able to relive their most magical memories later this summer, as Roald Dahl’s films are being brought to life across 165 confirmed screenings and special events with many more to announce.
To celebrate Roald Dahl 100 – the centenary year of Roald Dahl’s birth, Film Hub Wales and Chapter as Film Hub Lead Organisation, have developed a family-friendly film programme that will celebrate the world’s number one storyteller, who was born in Cardiff in 1916.
The season runs from July up until the end of September, including Roald Dahl Day on the 13th September – 100 years since Dahl’s birth.
The programme will appeal to audiences of all ages, featuring his best-loved classics like James and the Giant Peach and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Lesser-known screenplays such as the cult classic Gremlins, which was inspired by Gremlin Gus and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang are also being shown, giving us the chance to relive one of our scariest childhood moments with the ‘child catcher’, the character Roald Dahl added into Ian Fleming’s original story.
Venues across Wales and the UK are putting on far from average events, including everything from interactive ‘Scratch ‘n Sniff’ screenings of Matilda to celebrate the film’s 20th year anniversary and chocolate tasting classes, to Q&A sessions with original cast members and animation workshops for the whole family. The season will also cater to an adult audience, with films such as Night Digger and episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, which captivated us when we really should have been in bed, with darker dinner events for grown-ups.
Cinemas will have access to a host of resources from an innovative online game to share with audiences, which doubles up as a fun evaluation tool, in addition to specially commissioned programme notes for adults, Stinky Flicks workshop templates for ages 9-13 and education packs for family audiences. Audiences will also be able to rate their film experiences using Roald Dahl ‘Gobblefunk’ language, to win 5 official Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionaries, thanks to a social media challenge in partnership with the Oxford University Press.
Hana Lewis of Film Hub Wales, said: “We are extremely proud to be leading the UK’s national celebration of Roald Dahl on Film and are looking forward to working with our partners across all nine BFI Film Audience Network regions.
“We were all inevitably inspired by Roald Dahl as children and as we grow into adults, his stories remain with us. The season offers a rare opportunity for parents to enjoy his films together with their children, on the big screen.”
John Collins, Brand Marketing Director at The Roald Dahl Literary Estate, said: “Roald Dahl had an incredible talent for creating stories and characters that not only leap off the page, but leap too onto the big screen so naturally and so memorably. We’re delighted that Film Hub Wales and Chapter are celebrating these amazing movies through Roald Dahl on Film during his centenary year.”
Ben Luxford, the BFI’s Head of UK-wide Audiences, said “Roald Dahl’s stories have inspired generations of young people and have become part of our film heritage. Enabling the BFI Film Audience Network to bring these classic stories to new and familiar audiences reflects our aims to give audiences everywhere the opportunity to enjoy and experience a wide range of films including family titles.”
The project is taking place with the support of the BFI (British Film Institute), which has awarded National Lottery funding, and in collaboration with the Roald Dahl Estate, which is marking the centenary with the Roald Dahl 100, a year packed full of exciting surprises and treats.
Full listings and details of screenings and events are now available in our What’s On section.
Some highlights from the season include:
Matilda: Scratch ‘n Sniff
12th, 13th & 14th August, ticket prices vary
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the family favourite at the ‘Scratch ‘n’ Sniff’ event; fully immerse yourself, awake the senses and smell along with the movie
The BFG (2016)
Tuesday 22nd-31st July (various times) ticket prices vary £3-7.90
As the new BFG motion picture strides into cinemas across the UK, Chapter is putting on extra special school screenings and workshops too.
You Only Live Twice
Sunday 4 (5pm) and Tuesday 6 September (2.30pm)
Did you know Dahl wrote the screenplay for the 1967 movie? Catch the Bond classic on the big screen once again.
For chapter’s full listings visit: http://chapter.org/season/roald-dahl-film
James and the Giant Peach
Saturday 13 August
Dive into the world of James and friends; if you’re feeling inspired then you can try your hand at computer animation in a workshop afterwards.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Saturday 20 August
Watch the family favourite, then get arty in a drawing and making workshop afterwards for the whole family.
For Broadway’s full listings visit: http://www.broadway.org.uk/events
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Strand Arts Centre, Saturday 3 September
Following the screening audiences will be invited to attend a Q&A session with special guest; actress Julie Dawn Cole, aka Veruca Salt.
The Witches
Queens Film Theatre, Saturday 24 September
Families are invited to stick around following the screening for a special peek into Dahl’s livelihood with a storyboarding and character design workshop.
For Cinemagic’s full listings visit: www.wegottickets.com, www.strandartscentre.com FAN BFI a www.queensfilmtheatre.com
Special pop up screenings of Fantastic Mr Fox and Moonrise Kingdom
Norwegian Church, Saturday 6th August
Roald Dahl’s family regularly worshipped at the Norwegian Church where he and his siblings were baptised!
For Darkened Rooms’ full listings visit: www.darkenedrooms.com
Matilda, Highbury Hall
Saturday 30 September, 12 & 2pm (£3 screening, workshop is free)
Celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary in style, then send the little ones to a fun and interactive workshop with Ben Semp.
James and the Giant Peach
The Mac, Cannon Hill Park, Wednesday 27 July, 3pm (£6-£8 screening, workshop is free)
Follow the special screening of the movie with another workshop for children guaranteed to get their creative cogs turning.
For mac birmingham’s full listings visit: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/whats-on
Fantastic Mr Fox
Greenwich, Stratford, Exeter and other locations, Saturday 3 September
Join Mr Fox and his furry friends for a screening and flipbook making session at a Picturehouse cinema near you – don’t forget your animal costume!
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Hackney, Clapham, The Phoenix and other locations, Saturday 17 September
Sweet tooth? Step into the shoes of Willy Wonka with an exciting chocolate tasting session after the film has ended.
For Picturehouse Cinemas’ full listings visit: https://www.picturehouses.com/
The Witches
Lancaster Library, Saturday 10 August
Join everyone at Lancaster Library for another interactive children’s workshop after the screening – this one used to scare us silly!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Lancaster Library, Saturday 24 August
Settle down to watch this truly scrumptious family favourite – did you know Dahl worked on the screenplay?
For Metamorphosis Open Cinema’s full listings visit: https://www.facebook.com/opencinemalancashire/
Esio Trot
Showroom Workstation, Friday 26 August – Sunday 4 September (TBC)
Watch the heart-warming tale unfold on the big screen – who’s got the popcorn?
Danny the Champion of the World
Showroom Workstation, Friday 12 – Thursday 18 August (TBC)
Settle down and immerse yourself in Danny’s world as Showroom presents the long-standing crowd pleaser.
For Showroom’s full listings visit: http://www.showroomworkstation.org.uk/cinema/
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Chester Roman Gardens and other locations, Sunday 24 July, Tuesday 26 July, Thursday 4 August & Wednesday 8 August
Watch the all-time classic al fresco in one of Storyhouse’s Moonlight Flicks Outdoor Screenings, with a picnic of course!
Gremlins
Chester Roman Gardens, Monday 25 August
Watch the cult classic under the stars in another Outdoor Screening from Storyhouse.
For Storyhouse’s full listings visit: https://uk.patronbase.com/_Storyhouse/Productions
Matilda
Ysgol Bryn Elian, Tuesday 13 September
Hosted in the school grounds on a blow-up cinema screen, this showing of the family favourite promises to delight the whole family.
For TAPE’s full listings visit: www.tapemusicandfilm.co.uk/roald-dahl-on-film
Matilda
The Dukes, Saturday 3 September
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the family favourite at the Scratch ‘n’ Sniff event; fully immerse yourself, awaken the senses and smell along with the movie.
For The Dukes’ full listings visit: http://dukes-lancaster.org/dahl/
Lamb to the Slaughter
The Watermark, Wednesday 14 September
An evening of the unexpected for the adults looking for something a bit darker; featuring a screening, evening meal and murder mystery quiz.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
The Watermark, Friday 16 September
All children taking part in the summer reading challenge are invited to come and join in the fun and games at this free screening.
For The Watermark’s full listings visit: http://www.ivybridgewatermark.co.uk/roalddahlonfilm
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Watershed, Sunday 28 August (TBC)
Settle down to watch this truly scrumptious family favourite – did you know Dahl worked on the screenplay?
Gremlins
Watershed, Sunday 21 August
Sit back and enjoy a screening of the cult classic.
For Watershed’s full listings visit: http://www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/coming-soon
Matilda
Bodelwyddan Castle, Thursday 22 September
Celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary and get stuck in to a workshop in the impressive surroundings of Bodelwyddan Castle.
For Wicked 16’s full listings visit: http://wicked.wales/
HOME, Manchester
Matilda
HOME, Sunday 14 August
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the family favourite at the Scratch ‘n’ Sniff event; fully immerse yourself, awaken the senses and smell along with the movie.
For HOME’s full listings visit: http://homemcr.org/cinema/
To find out more about what’s on in your area and how to buy tickets, visit: www.filmhubwales.org/roalddahlonfilm neu https://www.facebook.com/roalddahlonfilm/
Enter the world of Roald Dahl and play the game online at www.roalddahlonfilm.com
