Cheap(er) London cinema: essential budget tips
Image Credit: Daniel Hewitt
Despite the extortionate cost of living in this city, no student should spend a week’s worth of travel on a cinema ticket. Here’s your essential guide to movies on the cheap.
STEP ONE: MAKE THE BFI YOUR SECOND HOME
On your next trip to South Bank, take a moment to check what’s on at the British Film Institute. £3 tickets to regular BFI screenings, as well as the LGBT Flare Festival, are an underrated blessing. Rush tickets will also be available for the upcoming London Film Festival, a major event in the global film calendar. As long as you’re prepared to queue at least 45 minutes before a showing, 16-25 year olds will pay just £5 on a first come, first served basis. Between international cinema, exciting projects across the genres and the latest work from today’s most talked-about stars and directors, a night out at LFF is one of London’s best cultural offerings.
STEP TWO: BOOKMARK, BOOKMARK, BOOKMARK
Plenty of helpful websites can keep you in the loop on all things film. The Independent Cinema Office lists volunteering and internship opportunities within the industry, while Radiant Circus curates a daily roundup of independent and alternative screenings across London. To avoid missing out on the occasional free screening, too, it’s worth keeping your eye on the Deeper Into Movies team, who can be found at popular venues including the Ace Hotel, MOTH CLUB and Peckham Levels.
STEP THREE: Student journalists have more fun
The only thing better than a cheap ticket is a press ticket. The Pi Media team can often secure press passes for cultural events throughout the year, meaning our writers can gain free or discounted entry, usually prior to a public opening. This month, we have an accredited team of student writers covering the London Film Festival (I’m sitting in the BFI cafe as I type this). If you’re interested in trying your hand at film criticism, getting involved with Pi is the perfect way to make the most of what’s on your doorstep. A little self-promo: come and say hello at our Welcome Meeting on the 30th!
STEP FOUR: Your time is money
A member of Underwire’s 2019 volunteering team
Another way into free screenings is via volunteering. The East End London Film Festival and the Raindance Film Festival are just two popular events which regularly recruit helpers, while pop-up cinemas like the Nomad may want a hand in the summer. Underwire Festival, which celebrates female talent in the film industry, also needs volunteers every year; the team assists with various tasks, including distributing tickets, microphone running during Q&As and drafting posts for social media. Not only will you attend screenings for free, you’re bound to finally meet people you can debate awards season with.
STEP FIVE: It’s a case of the Mondays
Many cinemas cut ticket prices on Mondays, so congratulations if that’s your day off. Selected Vue cinemas, including the Piccadilly and Shepherds Bush branches, offer ‘Super Monday’ tickets for £4.99 – you’ll just need to sign up for a promo code over at their website. The deal is also available at Vue’s Islington branch (a half hour walk from UCL), as long as you book online. If you’d rather avoid the chains, the Rio is an independent, art deco cinema with lots of character; students can grab £6 tickets on Mondays and £7 tickets before 5pm on other weekdays.
8 budget-FRIENDLY INDEPENDENT cinemaS
Fortunately, the Rio isn’t the only independent cinema which won’t drain your weekly budget.
1. Peckhamplex
Billed as London’s “most successful independent cinema”, this Peckham favourite may be a little far from UCL, but the relatively low prices make up for your travel time. Tickets are £4.99 for everyone, every day, so there’s no need to waste money at the ODEON on Tottenham Court Road. As always, it’s best to visit during work and school hours to avoid any crowds.
2. Genesis Cinema
Many film fans would agree that this East London-based, family-run mainstay should be high on your list. The comfy armchairs make for a cosy alternative to the pricier Electric Cinema, while the neon signs and brick walls are prime Instagram story material. Most importantly, though, tickets are only £5.50 through Monday to Wednesday.
For young people, the Barbican is one of London’s more affordable cultural hubs. Credit: Max Colson
3. Barbican Cinema
One important check on your freshers to-do list should be signing up to Young Barbican, a free scheme for 14-25 year olds that comes with heavy discounts on theatre, exhibitions and film. With your ID to hand, you can pick up tickets for £5 at the Barbican, a beautiful, brutalist culture hub and my personal favourite place in the whole of London.
4. The Prince Charles Cinema
Based near Leicester Square, cult favourite Prince Charles is a preferable alternative to the more famous chain cinemas around the corner. A £10 annual membership will grant you access to £5 matinees on weekdays as well as the occasional £1 showing. Often the host of interactive events and sing-alongs, Prince Charles recently screened the now iconic The Room with special guest Tommy Wiseau in attendance.
5. Lexi Cinema
If you’re looking to pair your love for film with social good, you can sign up for volunteer shifts at the Lexi, an independent cinema supporting South African charity The Sustainability Institute. In exchange for three hours of your time, you’ll be gifted two free cinema tickets. Monday is also the Lexi’s ‘Community Day’, where all tickets are reduced to £7.
6. Ciné Lumière
Running a similar scheme to Young Barbican, it’s free to sign up for £5 tickets at the Kensington-based, art deco Ciné Lumière. As well as screening French classics and other international films, the latest English language releases can be found here too.
7. Rich Mix
Just down the road from Shoreditch’s bustling Boxpark is Rich Mix, a charity, arts centre and cinema in one. The ‘Rich Mix Six’ deal – all-day £6 tickets when booked online – goes live on Mondays, and you’ll be supporting community-led arts and culture with your purchase.
8. CLOSE-UP Cinema
Not too far from Rich Mix is the much smaller, monochrome CLOSE-UP, a home base for all fans of arthouse cinema. CLOSE-UP prides itself on making film history accessible, and claims to be “the most comprehensive independent film resource in London”: a £10 membership grants access to their Mediatheque, which promises over 20,000 films, books and other resources available for loan, as well as a 40% discount on their cinema tickets.