WHAT'S ON
​
​
Join us for family-friendly film events paired with arts, crafts, and creative play. Each screening comes with opportunities to make, imagine and experiment — from hands-on animation activities to fun creative workshops.
​
For our youngest audience members, the Cinemini programme offers gentle and joyful first cinema experiences, designed especially for children aged 2-6. For older children, our new filmmaking workshops open the door to storytelling and the magic of making films.
​
Whether watching, making, or playing together, every event is designed to spark curiosity, creativity and a love of cinema.
EVENTS
CINEMINI - ON TOUR
At Small World Cinema we know that film has a major influence on how we see ourselves and the world around us. As the early years are so important for development, how can we make film watching more meaningful for our children? To respond to this question we are taking part in the Cinemini network and offer a specially designed film event for young children with short films, free play and activities to inspire creativity and curiosity.
​
New Bromley dates will be announced soon on Instagram, Eventbrite and here. Regular events are also being held at the Depot Cinema in Lewes.
Our Cinemini programme is supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery. www.filmlondon.org.uk/filmhub.
​
​
​
INTO Film Festival | Slapstick with live piano
We are very excited to take part in the Into Film Festival this year, the UK's largest film festival for children. On Monday the 9th of December we are presenting our unique slapstick event with live piano from world renowned silent movie pianist John Sweeney. Before the screening, pupils will learn about early cinema and make their own Victorian optical illusion toys. Experience death defying stunts and classic slapstick gags in Buster Keaton's film 'One Week' in which Buster and his new bride try to build a flat-pack house sabotaged by his enemy.
Schools and home educating families can book tickets via the Into Film website. Please check with your school to find out whether they have secured tickets.
​
​
Games & Family fun with Team Marco
Bring your Grandpa/Grandma to the Cinema! Put down your devices and head over to our inter-generational event at the Depot Cinema in Lewes on Sat 1 November where we encourage you to play some wacky games and bond with family and friends just like our main characters in the warm-hearted film Team Marco.
​
Cine-minibeasts
On Saturday 22 February 2025 we celebrate the creepy crawlies that are so important for life on our planet. Children can investigate insects under the microscope which will be projected onto the screen or make their own beautiful shadow play beetles, bugs and butterflies.
​
From Europe With Love
We fininshed our 2024/2025 programme on Saturday 29 March 2025 with the return of our day-long mini film festival celebrating stories from across Europe.
​
From Europe With Love featured two pragrammes of short animations, lots of craft and animation activities, a delightful film from France and a delicious European tea party with special guest 'Bake-Off' finalist Christiaan de Vries.
SHORT COURSES
Filmmaking for children
Is your child curious about film? Would they like to create their own films and make new friends? In this 6-week course, children explore the building blocks of filmmaking — light, colour, framing, sound, and editing — and use them to craft their own short films.
Each week they’ll take part in hands-on exercises, share their work with the group, and discover how small creative choices can completely change the feel of a story. They’ll begin to see the world through a filmmaker’s eye, noticing details and moments that could spark new ideas.
This course offers a unique opportunity for children to stretch their creative muscles, build confidence, and learn the art of visual storytelling in a fun and encouraging environment.
​
WORKSHOPS
SPEEDY TOTORO DRAWING WORKSHOP
​
Join Lucy McGeown from London Drawing Group as we draw the magnificent Studio Ghibli characters from My Neighbour Totoro. In this class Lucy will be guiding you step by step in drawing the classic scene when Totoro, waiting for the bus in the rain, meets young Satsuki for the first time. We recommend parents join children in these sessions as it is a lovely activity to share together!
​
Duration: 1 min
Recommended ages: 7 -12
MAKE YOUR OWN GIFS​
In this workshop with London-based graphic designer Devi Acharya you will learn the basics of making a 6-frame gif using freely available software online. From simple hand-drawn designs to combining digital graphics and photography, you will create three eye-catching gifs that express your personality perfect for sharing with friends. Workshop templates here.
​
Duration: 5 mins
Recommended ages: 6+
ANIMATE YOUR MER-FRIEND
​
Watch a merman come to life in this short animation and workshop by a Sasha Langford. Join her in Portugal as she reveals the best ways to make a life-sized animation with your friends using stop-motion animation techniques.
​​
Duration: 3 mins
Recommended ages: all ages (with adult supervision)
​
FILM POSTER COLLAGE WORKSHOP
​
Get inspired by Russian film posters such as Man With A Movie Camera (Dziga Vertov, 1929), choose your favourite film and follow this fun workshop video and make your own masterpiece film poster from newspaper and magazine cut-outs! With thanks to Laura Kloss from Lightbox Cinema. Workshop templates here.
​
Pre-Recorded
Recommended ages: 8+
Duration: 3 mins
​
​
