Celia Imrie surprises visitors and staff at Warwick Arts Centre with National Lottery funding!

British actress and national treasure Celia Imrie surprised film club enthusiasts at Warwick Arts Centre by making an unexpected appearance at a screening of her 1995 classic ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’. As the credits rolled, the actress joined audience members to announce that Warwick Arts Centre is being awarded £10,000 of National Lottery funding from Film Hub Midlands on behalf of BFI’s Film Audience Network.

Thanks to National Lottery players, the funding will enable Warwick Arts Centre to host ‘Handle with Care’, an uplifting themed cinema season exploring how we care for ourselves and each other. Exploring care in its many forms through three programme strands, it includes:

• Cosy Classics – a selection of beloved films with a focus on cinematic self-care where audiences can bring blankets, enjoy hot drinks and engage in discussion
• Care on Screen – contemporary films exploring caregiving roles across different cultures
• Care Behind the Scenes – screenings and workshops on ethical filmmaking, consent, and community care 

The programme will target underrepresented audiences and those less engaged with the venue post-reopening in 2021 and the pandemic, aiming to foster inclusive, reflective, and social experiences through film.

In addition, the funding will be put towards Warwick Arts Centre hosting relaxed film screenings and free artist-led workshops designed especially for neurodiverse and young audiences. The centre has long been a champion of inclusive arts programming, and this funding marks a significant step forward in its mission to make cinema more accessible to all. For the first time, these screenings will be integrated into the centre’s creative workshop offer, opening up new opportunities for children and families to experience film in a welcoming, sensory-friendly environment.

Funding from the National Lottery, distributed by Film Hubs on behalf of BFI FAN, makes initiatives like Handle With Care possible all over the UK, helping organisations welcome new audiences with innovative and inclusive cinema programming.

Actress and National Lottery ambassador Celia Imrie said, “It was such a joy to surprise film club enthusiasts at Warwick Arts Centre and share this wonderful announcement. More locals across the Midlands will be able to enjoy the magic of cinema in a way that feels welcoming and inclusive. These kinds of projects are so important, and I’m thrilled to see film being made more accessible for everyone – and it’s only possible because of you, National Lottery players across the UK.”

Ben Roberts, Chief Executive of the BFI, added:  “We’re delighted Film Hub Midlands – which is part of our nationwide BFI Film Audience Network – has awarded £10,000 of National Lottery Funding to Warwick Arts Centre, and that Celia’s visit to make the announcement was such a special moment for the staff and cinemagoers. Independent cinemas are integral to local communities, and this funding will help Warwick Arts Centre further serve their community to develop a relaxed, safe and communal space for them to engage with culture and will enable them to reach new audiences in the region. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can support independent cinemas across the UK, alongside a range of activity from bringing film into the classroom to inspire young people, through to providing grassroots filmmaking opportunities, which aims to build a community of film enthusiasts and filmmakers, who are shaping the cultural landscape of the UK.”

Since National Lottery funding began in 1994, more than 650,000 projects have been supported, with over £50 billion raised by players. Every week, National Lottery players contribute more than £30 million to good causes across the UK.