Art houses: 10 of Britain's best cinema experiences

Bored of multiplexes? Here are 10 of Britain's best film festivals, art-house hubs and pop-up cinemasCornerhouse, ManchesterThis venue is crucial to Manchester's cultural well-being. A lively programme of offbeat, alternative film is augmented by regularly "introduced" screenings, cast and crew Q&As and, for the hardcore, study-courses on German political cinema or Italian neo-realism. This month's highlights include a screening of The Skin I Live In (30 August), preceded by a critical introduction to Pedro Almod�var's work by Dr Nuria Triana Toribio, senior lecturer in Spanish cinema at the University of Manchester. If that sounds too highbrow, head to Screenfields, Manchester's open-air summer cinema (�2, spinningfieldsonline.com), which is showing Ghostbusters (18 August) and Saturday Night Fever (25 August). ? 70 Oxford Street (0161-200 1500 cornerhouse.org). Showroom, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield (0114-275 7727, showroomworkstation.org.uk) The Star & Shadow Cinema, NewcastleIn a galaxy far, far away from the mainstream multiplex experience, the Star twinkles, a one-screen, 66-seater beacon of hope. Volunteer-run, it is both principled (tickets �5/�3.50; UK asylum-seekers free) and determined to offer a quirky, intelligent diet. Recent attractions have included a night of archive film exploring industry in the north-east, a season of vintage UK TV sci-fi/horror and, on 4 September, you can watch King Kong. The original, of course. ? Stepney Bank, Newcastle upon Tyne (0191-261 0066, starandshadow.org.uk)The Electric, BirminghamIt may be Britain's oldest working cinema (established 1909), but the restored Electric should be a template for the future. Its mod cons include big leather sofas and waitress service in the auditoriums, where (praise be) you can have a drink while you watch the film. The programme mixes credible hits with the best indies, alongside festivals and late-night one-offs.? 47-49 Station Street, Birmingham, (0121-643 7879, theelectric.co.uk)Various festivals, LondonYou want niche? We got it, as the London Surf/Film Festival, a celebration of "waveriding's most exciting creatives" debuts this autumn at Hammersmith's Riverside Studios (13-15 October). Before that, those looking for fresh stimulation may enjoy the ultra-local, highly eclectic Hackney Film Festival (15-18 September). Hurry, and you might just make the submissions deadline of 12 August. The Portobello Film Festival (1-18 September), is a much larger platform for exciting new London film-makers, which this year uses the Portobello Pop-Up ? a punky, non-profit digital microplex ? as one of its venues.? London Surf/Film Festival, Riverside Studios W6 (londonsurffilmfestival.com). Hackney Film Festival (hackneyfilmfestival.com). Portobello Film Festival (portobellofilmfestival.com). Portobello Pop-Up, 3 Acklam Road W10 (portobellopopup.com) Glasgow Film Theatre, GlasgowAugust is a typically diverse month at Glasgow Film Theatre. The often-harrowing Play Poland season continues, while, for light relief, you can catch late-night screenings of Jackass 3D (12 August) and The Breakfast Club (26 August), then join the after-party at Sauchiehall Street's Nice N Sleazy. GFT's Glasgow Film Festival runs from 16-26 February 2012, with films screened in anything from caravans to swimming pools. ? 12 Rose Street (0141-332 6535, glasgowfilm.org)3rd Festival of British Cinema, Hay-on-Wye, WalesThis may be a small event ? run by the local film society, and accommodating just 250 films across three screens from 23-25 September ? but the organisers' enthusiasm and Hay's cultural allure mean that it attracts interesting guests. This year's include Patagonia director Marc Evans. There is a Welsh focus to the archive and silent film strands this year, while the "classics" schedule is themed around "maverick directors" such as Peter Greenaway. ? Various venues, entry �5 (filmfestivalhay.co.uk)Umit & Son, LondonA reader's Been there tip-off (thank you, Tersha) first alerted Travel to Umit Mesut's remarkable shop. "Digital's alright, but it's not for me," says the man who, for more than 50 years, has been collecting, restoring and selling 19th-century projectors to 1950s 3D film stock, to the delight of customers such as film-maker Terry Gilliam. "It's full of interesting films, posters, cameras and thousands of old features," says Tersha. "The owner will even come to your home to show a film." ? Private screening, �200. 35 Lower Clapton Road E5 (020-8985 1766)Nomad, southern EnglandThere is no shortage of movie-going novelty in London. But for those who feel that fancy-dress fandango Secret Cinema (secretcinema.org), just isn't secret enough anymore, or fear seasickness at the Floating Cinema (floatingcinema.info), then roving outdoor event Nomad may be just the ticket. The films shown are generally crowd-pleasers, old and new. You are unlikely to be challenged, cinematically. You can, however, take your own booze, snacks, chairs and blankets. August is a busy month, with dates across London and Kent and at Lulworth Castle, Dorset. Those craving something meatier than Mamma Mia!, should wait for Pan's Labyrinth in Brompton cemetery (8 September). ? �8-�18.50 (whereisthenomad.com)The Cube, BristolA self-styled "microplex" which serves its own cola, the Cube has been resisting multiplex conformity since 1998. With screenings hosted by Bristol Animal Rights Collective, queer cinema club Beacons, Icons & Dykons, via late-night reruns of bizarre cult classics and edgy world cinema, you are very much not in your local Odeon. Bluescreen is a notable night where non-professional film-makers can get their work shown. ? Dove Street South (0117-907 4190, cubecinema.com)Queen of Hoxton, LondonThis popular venue has a rooftop cinema club this summer. DJ Lauren Laverne has curated an Italian-inspired series in conjunction with Italian liqueur Disaronno. Win a place at the opening night (11 August, showing Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet) by clicking Like on the Facebook page (disaronnofacebook.com/filmseries). Then there's Roman Holiday, Life is Beautiful and Bicycle Thieves on consecutive nights. Online tickets are sold out but get there early for tickets on the door (�9 including a cocktail).? 1-5 Curtain Road, 020-422 0958, thequeenofhoxton.co.ukCultural tripsLiverpoolBirminghamUnited KingdomLondonManchesterNewcastleBristolTony Naylorguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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