East Dulwich Picturehouse officially opens its doors on 23 April, following a number of special members’ screenings, and us mere mortals aren’t the only ones who are excited about it…

Richard Ayoade (The Gadget Man and film director extraordinaire), his wife Lydia Fox (part of the Fox family acting dynasty) and Iain Glen (currently starring as Ser Jorah Mormont in Game of Thrones), have all paid a visit in the last week to lend their support. The actors, who all live in the Dulwich area, are obviously keen to see the new cinema succeed.

East Dulwich Picturehouse cinema opens with screenings of fantasy film Avengers: Age Of Ultron, While We’re Young and Wild Tales on Thursday 23 April, and from Friday 24 April their regular programme of special events and screenings swings int action, including Big Scream (for parents and carers of those under one, every Wednesday), Vintage Sundays (where classics head back to the big screen), Discover Tuesdays (for art-house, documentary and classic films), Silver Screen (special, discounted showings for the over 60s), Toddler Time (introducing preschoolers to the big screen on Mondays and Tuesdays), Kids Club (every Saturday) and Slackers Club (free monthly screenings for students in conjunction with E4), as well as autism-friendly and subtitled screenings.

The Resident: Iain Glen at East Dulwich PicturehouseIain Glen at East Dulwich Picturehouse

You’ve also got Far From the Maddening Crowd, a new adaption of Thomas Hardy’s most famous novel, starring Carey Mulligan and Michael Sheen, to look forward to from 1 May. Plus, from 30 April-28 May, Studio Ghibli season celebrates the much-loved Japanese animation film studio’s new release, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, with a look back at some past favourites including Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle.

The Resident: Lydia Fox & Richard Ayoade at East Dulwich PicturehouseLydia Fox & Richard Ayoade at East Dulwich Picturehouse

The food and drink serving has been carefully put together too, with great coffee, specially selected wines and a seasonal menu that features charcuterie from Cannon & Cannon in Borough Market, gourmet burgers, herbs grown on their own roof garden, bread from The Artisan Bakery and meats from local butchers W Bunting in Peckham Rye and William Rose in East Dulwich.

WERE YOU THERE? CHECK OUT OUR OPENING NIGHT GALLERY…