Cinema news

Latest news, updates and statements from James Hannaway

Download the September brochure (including investment options), visit the Odyssey website, Facebook and Twitter pages.
Listen to an interview with James Hannaway from BBC R4's Film Programme on 9 July 2010 (interview starts 12m 50s in).
See Russell McGovern's photos from the second viewing day.

December 2011 Update

Our December Update from your local Odyssey Cinema, under restoration!

Fundraising: The Odyssey team is launching a fresh wave to the fundraising campaign, with a different strategy and new fundraising techniques. While the public support campaign is still ongoing, we realise that the local community has been very generous and we still need some big chunks of money to return your cinema to you. We are now focusing more on loans and investments, the great and the good. With the promise of match-funding from banks, we need to raise a mere £500,000 in order to access that money. This is great news, but still means lots of time, energy and hard work. Have faith! We’re determined to get there. In addition, we’re doing some unique merchandising and using every small amount that we have to get on with some preliminary work on the building. We don’t need vast amounts to get on with the ground work and comply with regulations. Watch our for real, albeit apparently small - progress in the new year in front of your very eyes!

New Website: The site was redesigned in response to you all saying that you wanted more regular updates and a greater sense of what was happening. This site is based on a blogging model, so we’ll more easily, and more regularly, be able to update you all on what’s happening. The gallery is easier to manage and upload photos to, so you’ll see the way that the building is changing and if you can’t personally get inside the building, maybe our photographers can! Go to www.odysseypictures.co.uk

Odeon Journey: Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, St Albans Civic Society will collect, record, re-create and permanently store the magic of cinematic memories from the old Odeon cinema. Odeon Journey is supported by the Museum of St Albans, St Albans Arts Sport and Health and the Odyssey Cinema. Memories will be collected, filmed, recorded or recreated by anyone who wants to share them; in spring 2012, there will be an exhibition to celebrate the memories at the Museum of St Albans. It will also include two local schools and up to 60 primary school children will dramatise past memories and create their own wishes for the future of the cinema. Find out more about future events, including dramatisation and art workshops at www.odeonjourney.org.uk, email the project at info@odeonjourney.org.uk to tell us your story, or sign up to get involved.

Want to know more? Anyone interested in discussing Odyssey financing or sponsorship can get in touch via the website, or call James Hannaway on 01442 877999 To get in touch about any other issues, visit the website. For any marketing and press enquiries please email Denise@odysseypictures.co.uk.

Photos from the cinema open day in July - see more on Flickr by Simone SW, Jay P, John N, Matthew R and Donald L.