Our Spring Screenings programme is back for March 2025, with hundreds of free cinema screenings taking place in hundreds of cinemas all over the UK. As well the chance to see stunning films on the big screen - for free! - the Spring Screenings programme also features a number of special events, featuring guest speakers, special Q&As, and more!

This year's special events include talks from the BBFC, who will discuss how they arrive at the appropriate certificate to give a film; a special screening of men's mental health documentary Silent Men followed by a Q&A with director Duncan Cowles; a showing of Scottish drama The Outrun, accompanied by the film's hair and make-up designer; and The Black Curriculum giving a special introduction to vital documentary A Story of Bones.

Some of our special events are already fully booked, like our autism-friendly screening of gorgeous animation Kensuke's Kingdom, but for those that are booked up, you can still join the waiting list, in case spaces become available.

Find out more about these events below. And remember, events will book up fast, so be sure to secure your places today. 

Mabinogi-ogi: Dwynwen a Jemima

Date: Tuesday 11 March, 10:00-12:00 and 13:00-14:35

Location: Y Drwm (National Library of Wales), Aberystwyrth

These Welsh-language events provide an opportunity to watch two episodes of popular children's series Mabinogi-ogi, a fun comedy series about Welsh tales, historical icons and mythical characters. 

The screening will be followed by workshops on Dwynwen and Jemima Nicholas (the subjects of the two episodes screened) with the education team from the National Library of Wales.

Note: this event will take place twice on the same day, with one event in the morning, and one in the afternoon.

The Outrun with Hair & Make-up Designer Kat Morgan

Date: Wednesday 12 March, 10:00-12:40

Location: Vue Glasgow, Glasgow

Adapted from Scottish author Amy Liptrot's memoir about alcoholism and recovery, The Outrun is a contemplative and sensitive drama set in the Orkney Islands, off the Northern tip of Scotland.

BIFA-nominated Scottish hair and make-up designer Kat Morgan's career spans a decade and more than 40 screen credits, including television drama This is Going to Hurt, and the films Blue Jean, Limbo, Girl, and Tornado.

Silent Men with Director Duncan Cowles

Date: Tuesday 11 March, 13:00 - 14:50

Location: Marina Theatre, Marina, Lowestoft

AND

Date: Thursday 13 March, 10:00-12:00

Location: Vue Edinburgh Omni, Edinburgh

In this highly accessible Scottish documentary, which beautifully highlights the therapeutic value of filmmaking, humour and honesty work together to tackle an important topic: men's mental health.

Duncan Cowles is a BAFTA Scotland Award winning documentary filmmaker whose short films have screened and won awards at international film festivals. Silent Men is his first feature film and he has also been commissioned to write and direct documentaries for Channel 4, STV, BBC Scotland, and others. Originally from Edinburgh Duncan studied at Edinburgh College of Art and as well being a filmmaker he regularly delivers documentary filmmaking workshops for young people and adults.

My Old Ass with BBFC intro

Date: Tuesday 18 March, 13:00-15:00.

Location: The Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds

Ahead of a screening of heartwarming comedy My Old Ass, the BBFC will give a short talk on the processes they undertake when certifying films in the UK.

Didi with BBFC intro

Date: Friday 21 March, 10:00-12:05

Location: The Castle Cinema, Hackney, London

Set in the summer of 2008, this semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story follows 13-year-old Chris, a first generation Taiwanese-American who lives in California with his sister, mother, and grandmother, each of whom he finds annoying in different ways. Sweet, charming and funny, Dìdi sheds light on the immigrant family experience through beautifully drawn characters and a smart, detailed script.

Ahead of the screening, the BBFC will give a short talk on the processes they undertake when certifying films in the UK.

BBFC Talk: Certifying Action Films

Date: Tuesday 25 March, 10:00-11:10

Location: Regent Street Cinema, London

In this fun, clips-based presentation the British Board of Film Classification will talk through the genre of action films and their approach to certifying them.

A Story of Bones with introduction and Q&A from The Black Curriculum

Date: Tuesday 25 March, 13:00-14:30

Location: The Boathouse Studios, Barking, London

This short documentary is an exploration into the efforts Annina van Neel's work to uncover the neglected history of the remote island of St Helena, after the remains of thousands of formerly enslaved Africans are uncovered there.

This special event will feature an introduction from The Black Curriculum, and we're delighted that we'll be joined by the film's director, Joseph Curran, and composer, Bankey Ojo, for a post-screening Q&A.

North by Northwest with introduction from Cary Comes Home Festival

Date: Thursday 27 March, 10:00-12:40

Location: Bristol Watershed, Bristol

North by Northwest is widely regarded as one of the finest movies in the career of its legendary director, Alfred Hitchcock. A classic chase movie, the film stars Cary Grant as a suave executive who is mistaken for a spy and tirelessly pursued by enemy agents. Professor Charlotte Crofts, the Festival Director Of Cary Comes Home, will introduce the film. 

Cary Comes Home is a biennial festival which aims to celebrate Cary Grant's Bristol roots, develop new audiences for his work, and recreate the golden age of cinema-going. Crofts is a Professor of Cinema Arts at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). She is passionate about both cinema-going and Bristol as a city of film, and has made various projects celebrating local cinema culture.