Film

The big story this year is 3D. The film industry is convinced that the new, improved 3D process is the future of cinema, and has been coining it with product ranging from horror to children’s animation. Bristol now has three cinemas with suitable projection equipment installed (Cinema de Lux; Vue) while Bathonians can see 3D flicks at Bath Odeon. You’ll pay a premium for the 3D experience, as you do for the luxury and over-18s-only environment of the plush Director’s Halls at the Cinema de Lux – which has given rival cinemas the opportunity to compete on price. Indeed, Bristol Odeon is the only local cinema to have reduced its admission prices over the past 12 months.

We’re lucky to be served by a good mix of multiplexes, local community cinemas like the Orpheus, and an excellent arthouse circuit (see panel). And the autumn season is always jam-packed with festivals and special events, from Bristol’s world-renowned Encounters Short Film Festival and biennial Wildscreen Festival (wildlife and environmental films) to the ever-excellent Bath Film Festival, which bags plenty of impressive premieres and big-name guests. Bristol Silents does a brilliant job of keeping movies from the silent era alive, with regular events and an annual Slapstick festival fronted by patron Paul Merton.

This is also a world centre of film-making talent, especially in the fields of animation (notably the Aardman and bolexbrothers studios) and natural history (the BBC Natural History Unit, plus many independents), with plenty of opportunities for those who fancy having a crack on a low-/no-budget basis (see, for example, www.depict.org). Whether you want to get involved or just sit back and watch, you’ve come to the right place.

Bath

Little Theatre Cinema
St Michael’s Place. Tel: 01225 466822. Web: www.picturehouses.co.uk/site/cinemas/bath • See panel. Student £5.70/£5 (Mon-Fri before 6pm).

Odeon
Kingsmead Leisure Complex, James St West. Tel: 0871 224 4007. Web: www.odeon.co.uk • Student admission £6.20 (£7.20 for a ‘premier seat’). Go before 2pm Mon-Fri and save a further 20p. Bath’s one and only multiplex: eight screens, 1,560 seats

Bristol

Arnolfini
16 Narrow Quay. Tel: 0117 917 2300. Web: www.arnolfini.org.uk • See panel. Students £4.50.

Cinema de Lux
Cabot Circus. Tel: 0871 220 1000. Web: www.cinemadelux.co.uk • Bristol’s newest, plushest multiplex cinema, centrally located and equipped with state-of-the art projection equipment. The two ‘Director’s Halls’ have their own bar and restaurant, plus ultra-comfy seating. One of just three Cinema de Lux multiplexes in the UK

Cineworld
Hengrove Leisure Park, Hengrove Way. Tel: 0871 200 2000. Web: www.cineworld.co.uk • A long haul from the city centre, but this is Bristol’s cheapest multiplex - all the latest releases at bargain prices. Students £4.70; all tickets £4.20 on Tue. The only local cinema to show all the latest Bollywood releases

Cube
Dove St South, Kingsdown. Tel: 0117 907 4190. Web: www.cubecinema.com • See panel. Admission prices vary, but you can get in for as little as £2.

Odeon
Union St, Broadmead. Tel: 0871 224 4007. Web: www.odeon.co.uk • City-centre three-screener showing mainstream fare. Student £3.75, or £4.25 for posh seats. The only local cinema to offer reduced admission to 15-17-year-olds in full-time education

Orpheus
Northumbria Drive, Henleaze. Tel: 0117 962 1644. Web: www.scottcinemas.co.uk • Popular, cosy three-screener with thoughtful programming of the best mainstream releases plus the more popular arthouse stuff. Handy for Bristol University halls of residence. Now under new management, who are making structural improvements while retaining the bargain/quality ethos. Students with valid ID £3 at all times. Bristol’s last remaining community cinema, much loved by multiplex refuseniks

Showcase
Avonmeads, St Philips. Tel: 0871 220 1000. Web: www.showcasecinemas.co.uk • Big, comfortable, mainstream multiplex. Student £5.30. First multiplex cinema to be built in Bristol, and still one of the most popular

Vue (Longwell Green)
Aspects Leisure Park, Longwell Green. Tel: 0871 224 0240. Web: www.myvue.com • Luxurious multiplex, drawing Bath as well as Bristol audiences. Students £5.35; £5.15 Mon-Fri before 5pm.

Vue (Cribbs Causeway)
Cribbs Causeway. Tel: 0871 224 0240. Web: www.myvue.com • Bristol’s most popular multiplex, at the giant Cribbs Causeway out-of-town shopping centre. Students with valid ID £5.45; £5.25 Mon-Fri before 5pm.

Watershed
Canons Rd. Tel: 0117 927 5100. Web: www.watershed.co.uk • See panel. Students £5; £3.50 before 4pm