Francesca Lombardo on the vision behind Film Nights at The Source and upcoming cinematic attractions

A still from How to Have Sex — How to Have Sex

In a time when screens are small and solitary, and films are consumed in isolation, a quiet cultural revolution is happening in East London. Stratford’s newly revitalised arts venue, The Source, is bringing people back into the cinema — not just to watch, but to connect.

Launched this June, Film Nights at The Source is more than a film series — it’s a mission to reclaim the collective, emotional, and reflective experience of cinema. Every Tuesday evening, for just £5, audiences gather in Stratford to share stories, provoke thought, and enjoy the buzz of being part of something local, yet reaching far beyond.

Thanks to Stratford’s superb transport links — including the Elizabeth Line, Jubilee Line, Central Line, DLR and Overground — The Source is accessible to the whole of London. As traditional venues like Picturehouse East close their doors, Film Nights is stepping in, offering a vibrant alternative for film lovers from Hackney to Hammersmith.

In cities like London, where many independent cinemas have closed or ticket prices have soared, community cinemas offer an inclusive, affordable cultural experience that can draw people from across the city. What defines them isn’t their audience, but their ethos: rooted in accessibility, curation, and conversation. A community cinema might emerge from a neighbourhood — but its doors, its stories, and its spirit are open to everyone across the city.

“Cinematic storytelling is a powerful tool,” says Kritee Gower, Executive Director of The Source and the YES Partnership at the University of East London (UEL). “It’s not just about entertainment — it’s about creating shared moments of understanding, building awareness, and encouraging empathy. Especially for our community, we see cinema as a way to both relax and engage deeply with the world around us.”

That spirit was evident from the very first screening on 3rd June — the visually stunning and critically acclaimed Flow — which set the tone for what’s to come: films that speak to social realities, human vulnerability, and untold stories.

The July programme continues this momentum, opening with Molly Manning Walker’s arresting debut, How to Have Sex (Tuesday 1st July), a bold coming-of-age tale that follows three teenage girls on a summer holiday in Crete. As they flirt with freedom and rebellion, the film navigates the murky terrain of consent and sexual pressure — a story that hits home for many young people across the city.

The following week, on Tuesday 8th July, comes To a Land Unknown by Mahdi Fleifel — a haunting, compassionate portrait of two Palestinian refugees navigating addiction, despair and brotherhood in Athens. For curator Francesca Lombardo, this kind of storytelling is at the heart of community cinema. “It’s about cultural democracy. It creates a space where people from all walks of life can encounter powerful stories and feel seen — or be challenged. Community cinema offers more than a screen — it creates connection.”

That connection continues with Bird (Tuesday 15th July), a raw and atmospheric film set in Kent, where a teenage girl lives with her brother and their emotionally absent father in a squat. Searching for love and direction, she finds herself drawn into a world of risk and resilience. The film’s unflinching honesty makes it a perfect fit for a programme that doesn’t shy away from complexity.

Then, on Tuesday 22nd July, audiences are invited to dive into the natural world with Ocean, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. This visually rich documentary brings urgent attention to the health of our oceans and the possibilities of marine recovery — a moment of wonder and wake-up for viewers of all ages.

Closing the month on Tuesday 29th July is The Last Showgirl, a tender, humorous portrait of a seasoned performer whose 30-year career comes to a sudden end. As she wrestles with what comes next, the film offers a touching meditation on identity, ageing, and reinvention.

But Film Nights isn’t just about what’s on screen — it’s about what happens before and after. Doors open at 6:00 PM, and the film begins at 6:30 PM, but many arrive early to soak in the atmosphere of The Source Café, where popcorn, sandwiches, and drinks are served alongside conversation and connection.

And The Source is far more than just a cinema. It is a full-scale cultural venue designed to serve Stratford’s vibrant, diverse community as well as the wider city. The building houses a 300-seat auditorium for large-scale performances, a 120-seat studio theatre for more intimate productions, and a dance and rehearsal studio that supports both emerging talent and professional companies. The lively café and social space creates an informal setting for discussion, relaxation, and exchange, while the Youth Zone — a dedicated space for ages 10 to 25 — hosts workshops, activities, and creative development programmes that ensure younger generations feel seen, supported, and inspired.

As part of its broader mission, The Source regularly presents performances by UEL theatre students and welcomes a variety of guest companies, ensuring that the building is alive with drama, dance, debate, and discovery throughout the week.

Film Nights is generously supported by FILM LONDON, the capital’s screen agency, which champions emerging filmmaking talent and invests in a vibrant, inclusive film culture for all Londoners. With their support, this initiative not only strengthens Stratford’s cultural landscape — it contributes to a wider vision of a creative, connected, and diverse city.

Whether you live five minutes away or five Tube stops across town, The Source is your cinema too.

Film Nights at The Source

The Source, Theatre Square, Stratford, London

Every Tuesday | Doors: 6 PM | Screening: 6:30 PM

£5 Tickets (booking fee £1.33)

Book now at: thesource-stratford.co.uk

Follow @thesource_stratford on Instagram for updates, events, and behind-the-scenes stories.

The Source is a new cultural hub and café based in Stratford, East London, operated in partnership with the University of East London (UEL) and London Borough of Newham’s Youth Empowerment Service.

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