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/ Course

Cinema & Cinema-going In Leicester 1900-1939 18+

Mondays, 11 May – 8 June, 2pm – 4pm

This 4-week course examines the heady, formative decades of Leicester’s cinemas in terms of the films, the neighbourhood and City Centre picturehouses, following the historical links that lead to Phoenix Cinema today.

/ Film

The Christophers 15

Screening from Fri 15 May

Ian McKellen stars as an acerbic painter who takes on a young assistant and talented forgerer in Steven Soderbergh's supremely enjoyable comedy.

/ Q&A

Shane Embury of Napalm Death – In Conversation 16+

Fri 15 May, 7.30pm

Napalm Death’s longest standing member, Shane Embury comes to Phoenix off the back of the release of his book ‘Life?… and Napalm Death’ for an in-person Q&A.

/ Film

Lord of the Rings: Extended Editions all-dayer 12A

Sat 16 May, 11am

We return once more to Middle-Earth for our annual all-dayer of the extended editions of Peter Jackson’s beloved trilogy.

/ Andrzej Wajda Centenary

The Maids of Wilko (Panny Z Wilka) 18

Sun 17 May, 2.15pm

Wajda’s most lyrical and poetic work marked a shift in pace and tone, allowing him to meditate on questions of passing time, regret and unfulfilled love.

/ Attenborough at 100

Ocean with David Attenborough PG

Sun 17 May, 3.30pm

Ocean with David Attenborough takes viewers on a breathtaking journey, showing there is nowhere more vital for our survival than the ocean.

/ Green Screen

Power Station 12A

Mon 18 May 2026

New documentary depicting a scalable in-your-face prototype of community led power and resilience.

/ Exhibition on Screen

Frida Kahlo 12A

Thu 21 May, 6.30pm | Sun 24 May, 3.30pm

Take a journey through the life of a true icon, discover her art, and uncover the true story of the rebellious, passionate and turbulent life of Frida Kahlo.

/ Film

3000 Lesbians Go to York + Q&A 15

Thu 21 May, 7.30pm

3000 Lesbians Go To York tells the extraordinary true story of how a lesbian bookseller created the largest gathering of LGBTQ+ women in the UK, when the quietly conservative city of York became the unlikely centre of all things lesbian!

/ Film

Romería 15

Screening from Fri 22 May

Orphaned at a young age, 18-year-old Marina travels to Vigo on Spain’s Atlantic coast to meet the family she never knew. A tender family drama from Carla Simón (Alcarràs).

/ Film

Northern Soul: Still Burning TBC

Screening from Fri 22 May

This superb documentary explores the cultural phenomenon that is Northern Soul, and charts how the movement transformed through the decades

/ Film

Mystery Film 18

Fri 22 May, 6.15pm | Fri 19 Jun, 6.15pm | Tickets £6.25 (+£1.25 admin fee for non-members)

Come with us on a journey through the weird, the wonderful, the cult and the long forgotten... into the world of mystery film. Nobody knows what the film will be until the lights drop and the opening titles roll.

Access Cinema

Regular screenings for people with differing access needs, to give all our customers the chance to enjoy a great cinema experience.

Audio described screenings

For our customers who are blind or have slight loss, many films come with audio description, where a recorded narrator describes the on-screen action during gaps in the dialogue. This is broadcast through wireless headsets so only the wearer can hear.

Relaxed environment screenings

Our relaxed environment screening have reduced sound levels, partially raised lighting, no trailers, and freedom to move around and use sensory aids. They are particularly suited to to people with neuro-diversities including autism, ADHD or other sensory processing disorders.

Captioned screenings

For anyone who is deaf or has hearing loss, we show descriptive subtitled versions of the latest English language movies in our main cinema screens.

Phoenix Leicester

Phoenix is Leicester’s centre for independent cinema, art and digital culture. Films and art deserve to be experienced somewhere special – which is why the whole Phoenix team works hard to make Phoenix a place where everyone can feel welcome and inspired.

Following a multi-million pound expansion, Phoenix now boast four state-of-the-art cinema screens, and shows everything from micro-budget independent films to the latest Hollywood blockbusters, plus film festivals and special events. And as an independent venue, the team handpicks Phoenix’s cinema programme specifically for Leicester audiences, so you’ll see things at Phoenix that aren’t screening in any other local cinemas.

With two superb galleries, Phoenix’s digital art programme presents exciting and innovative work by local and international artists; and short courses, workshops and activities provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn about and create their own film and art.

Our newly opened Café Bar offers a stylish and comfortable place to see friends and relax over a meal and drinks, or meet with clients and catch up on some work.

Phoenix believes that film and art have the power to enhance lives, and for many customers Phoenix staff make the difference. With a clear passion for their work, you’ll find many are studying film or art locally, or are involved in the wider creative community Phoenix attracts.

And as a local charity, all earnings go back into developing Phoenix’s creative programmes, enabling them to reach out to more people.

We hope to see you soon.