Future Cinema offers out Hackney space used for Secret Cinema concept as a pop-up community centre

Secret Cinema actors and cinema fans recreate the Shawshank Redemption at Cardinal Pole school. Photo credit Carlotta Cardana (Image: Archant)

Future Cinema is offering up the space at the old Cardinal Pole School for use as a pop-up community centre until June.

Secret Cinema. Picture: Laura Little (Image: Archant)

The group heads the Secret Cinema concept, which saw 20,000 film enthusiasts turn up at the former Huguenot Hospital in Victoria Park Road between last October and December to watch a film - without knowing which one.

The school - which housed Cardinal Pole lower school until its pupils were relocated to a brand new multi-million pound building in Morning Lane - had been converted into a prison to stage an interactive production of the cult classic, Shawshank Redemption.

Between January and February Future Cinema took over staging the production as fans were made aware which film was screening.

Now the production has ended, the cinema group is offering organisations and individuals the chance to come and explore the idea of using the space for their own projects.

Those already signed up include a group of young Hackney filmmakers who will produce a short drama called ‘Hereafter’.

Shopkeeper Theo Fraser Steele who owns The Deli Downstairs in Victoria Park Road will host a reading of his play ‘Talon’ in the school’s chapel, and during the Fringe! Film Festival in April the building will host screenings, a pop-up café, and talks.

Youth Hackney is planning daytime workshops for disadvantaged local young people to encourage them to access cultural activities, and there are also plans to hole dance classes, yoga classes, theatre and music workshops on the premises.

Anyone interested in using the space should email communities@futurecinema.co.uk