Tag: free cinema tickets

Escapes returns to a cinema near you!

Grab FREE tickets to watch Nicolas Cage thriller The Surfer ahead of its official release date

• Free preview screenings of The Surfer in over 100 cinemas across the UK ahead of its official release. Part of Escapes, encouraging all to experience the beauty of their local independent cinema 

• Escapes is now offering screenings over two dates  The Surfer preview on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 April 

• Over 110,000 free cinema tickets have been claimed to date through the Escapes initiative, which began in February 2024

Escapes, supported by the BFI awarding National Lottery Funding, continues its mission to bring independent cinema to audiences across the UK with its next major screening event over two dates in April.

Following the success of previous free screenings, Escapes is excited to announce The Surfer, starring Academy Award-winner Nicolas Cage, as its highly anticipated next film, with free previews available nationwide on Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th April ahead of its official release in the UK (UK release date 09.05.25).

Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, The Surfer tells the gripping story of a man who returns to the sun-drenched beach of his childhood, hoping to share the joy of surfing with his son.

However, his visit takes a dark turn when he is confronted and humiliated by a group of powerful locals. As tensions rise with the searing heat of the summer, he is drawn into an escalating conflict that will push him to the very edge.

Featuring an intense lead performance by Nicolas Cage, alongside Julian McMahon as the formidable antagonist, The Surfer is a psychological thriller packed with sun, surf, and suspense.

Escapes is shining a spotlight on the charm and uniqueness of independent cinema, and has provided over 110,000 free cinema tickets across the UK since it launched in February 2024.

From Nottingham’s Savoy Cinema, the only pre-Second World War cinema still standing in the city, to Whitley Bay’s Jam Jar, Glasgow’s Omniplex, and many more, Escapes will be screening The Surfer at over 100 cinemas nationwide on both Monday 28 April and Tuesday 29 April.

Whether you’re looking to share a memorable experience with loved ones or simply enjoy a feel-good film, this screening promises to be a fantastic evening of entertainment, celebrating the magic of independent films and cinemas across the UK.

With past successful screenings including heartwarming dramedy The Penguin Lessons with Steve Coogan, family friendly favourite The Sloth Lane, and inspiring biopic Mr. Burton, Escapes continues to spotlight the power of independent storytelling. Whether you’re a longtime Nicolas Cage fan or simply looking for an unforgettable night at the movies, this screening promises to be an electrifying cinematic event.

Tickets for The Surfer are FREE and available now at: https://escapes.cinematik.app/

Escapes confirmed locations

England
Acton, Ambleside, Barnstaple, Battersea, Bethnal Green, Birmingham, Blackburn, Bodmin, Bolton, Borehamwood, Boston, Bridgwater, Bristol, Burnham On Crouch, Burnley, Bury St Edmunds, Burgess Hill, Catterick, Chippenham, Chorley, Cleethorpes, Coleford, Corby, Croydon, Doncaster, East Dereham, East Finchley, East Riding, Elland, Fakenham, Fareham, Farnham, Folkestone, Gloucester, Goole, Grantham, Hayes, Helston, Herne Bay, High Wycombe, Hull, Ilfracombe, Ipswich, King’s Lynn, Kingsbridge, Leeds, London, Louth, Lytham St Annes, Mablethorpe, Malvern, Manchester, Mile End, Morecambe, New Brighton, Nottingham, Okehampton, Penrith, Plymouth, Redcar, Richmond, Rochdale, Romford, Sheffield, St Austell, St Ives, Stowmarket, Sunderland, Sutton, Tiverton, Torquay, Truro, Ulverston, Uttoxeter, Wakefield, Wellington, Weston-Super-Mare, Weymouth, Whitley Bay, Widnes, Wisbech, Woking, Woodhall Spa, Workington, Worthing, Wotton, Worksop

Scotland
Aberfeldy, Annan, Ayr, Bo’ness, Clydebank, Cumbernauld, Dumfries, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Greenock, Kirkwall, Montrose, Portree, Stirling, Thurso

Wales
Aberystwyth, Barry, Brynamman, Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Neath, Port Talbot, Prestatyn.

Northern Ireland
Derry, Dundonald, Newry, Omagh.

The National Lottery Cinema Day 25th August – Free cinema tickets!

  • New research reveals which characters the British public most relate to on screen;
  • the people Brits most enjoy visiting their nearest multiplex or independent cinema with;
  • and our most annoying pet peeves when it comes to displays of questionable cinema etiquette.

The research, released as part of The National Lottery’s 25th Birthday Celebrations, surveyed over 2,000 British adults, ahead of National Lottery Cinema Day, this Sunday, in partnership with the BFI. 

In Scotland, the research revealed our top film companions, depending on the genre of the film we’re seeing. Dads have been voted the ideal film buddy to watch classic films with, closely followed by best mates.

Girlfriends are the top choice when it comes to romantic comedies or horror films, yet most like to go to the cinema with their best mates to watch comic book films and action films. 

It also revealed that people talking through films is the number one pet peeve for 74% of cinema lovers in Scotland. Whilst 64% of people find other people on their phones and phones going off during the film as their biggest annoyance. 50% don’t like it when others consume food and drink, with such gusto, it ruins the ambience of the cinema.

Meanwhile, almost a third 36% complain about the fact they must move when others walk past them to go to the bathroom part-way through the film, for similar reasons. 

The character we’re most likely to relate to in the films we watch in Scotland is the wise old man/ woman, and the underdog. 

However, our quirky relationship with film and playful pet peeves only serve to show how passionate we are, as a nation, about film and cinema. 

To celebrate this passion, and as a big thank you to National Lottery players for their vital contribution to film (without whom some truly great UK films, including hits like The King’s Speech, Bend it Like Beckham and Pride may never have been made) National Lottery Cinema Day, in partnership with the BFI, returns for its second year THIS Sunday (25th August 2019) with over 500,000 free tickets available to over 250 cinemas across the UK. 

Players can simply use their ticket for the Lotto Double Prize Event Draw on 24th August to claim a free cinema ticket at participating cinemas. (In the special Lotto Double Prize Event all prizes from Match 3 to Match 5 plus the Bonus Ball will be doubled). 

Bend It Like Beckham and new film Blinded by the Light Director, Gurinder Chadha, comments: “It’s very important not to underestimate the power of buying a National Lottery ticket. Money from each ticket goes to fund incredibly good causes, including the BFI which gives much needed opportunities to people with creative talent across the UK film industry.

“I couldn’t have made ‘Bend It like Beckham’ without BFI funding and as The National Lottery turns 25, I look forward to seeing young directors flourish with the same support. Thank-you to all National Lottery players!

In fact, through the BFI, the National Lottery has funded the making of more than 500 films, winning 15 Oscars®, 100 BAFTAs and 29 Cannes awards, which have been enjoyed by audiences at home and around the world.

Thanks to the money raised by The National Lottery for good causes, the BFI invests over £50 million a year in the future success of film in the UK by nurturing and supporting new voices and fresh ideas from filmmakers all over the UK, that enrich independent film culture for UK audiences.

And there’s something for everyone to see on National Cinema Day; from UK independent films like Gurinder Chadha’s Blinded by The Light that you can take your dad to see, Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans and Asif Kapadia’s Maradona, to blockbusters like The Lion King, Toy Story 4 as well as Tarantino’s latest Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. 

The 25th birthday is a moment to celebrate the extraordinary impact the National Lottery has had on the UK, and to say thank you to National Lottery players for contributing around £30 million to good causes every week.

Players of all National Lottery games must be aged 16 or over.

Find out more at www.CinemaDay.co.uk.