Newark and Sherwood District Council aim to connect communities with season of award-winning films at National Civil War Centre’s Tudor Hall

A spectacular series of films featuring Oscar winners and lesser-known gems will be screening in Newark.

Organised by Newark and Sherwood District Council and supported by Film Hub Midlands through funds from the National Lottery, the stories will screen at the National Civil War Centre’s Tudor Hall from next week.

The ‘Season of You and Me’ features a programme of stories which explore shared human experiences as well as the ones which make us unique.

The season has been curated with the public’s help. There will be a love story set against the backdrop of the Cold War, a coming-of-age story in Thatcher’s Britain, and a classic musical about a Puerto Rican community in 1957 New York all feature.

These include recent Academy Award winners Belfast (2022) and West Side Story (2021) as well as the Oscar-nominated 20th Century Women which follows a teen growing up in 70s California under the guidance of some strong female characters, and an uplifting British coming-of-age story soundtracked by Bruce Springsteen in Blinded by the Light (2019).

A separate survey was also completed by local Polish residents who have recommended some favourite films in their native tongue.

Four Polish language films with English subtitles feature in the programme, from Best Foreign Language Oscar winner Ida (2013) to nominees Cold War (2018) and Katyn (2007) as well as the critically-lauded A Short Film About Love (1988).

Councillor Rhona Holloway, portfolio holder for economic development and visitors at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “The public have done a great job at helping us to choose a programme as richly diverse and wonderful as our local community.

"I’m excited to explore these stories myself and can’t wait to discover some new favourites, particularly among the Polish films, which I haven’t had the pleasure of watching before.

"I would really encourage residents to come along and enjoy these films which will hopefully help us to connect with the cultures and experiences of our neighbours.”

Tickets are priced at just £3 and are now on sale HERE.

Screenings will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings at the National Civil War Centre’s Tudor Hall beginning February 24.