Pearl & Dean Partners with Searchlight Pictures for Special Preview Screenings of “Empire of Light”

Pearl & Dean and Searchlight Pictures are hosting preview screenings of "Empire of Light" at select independent cinemas on New Year’s Day
London, UK ( December 21, 2022 ) -

Pearl & Dean, the UK's best-known cinema advertising contractor, has partnered with Searchlight Pictures to host preview screenings of “Empire of Light” at selected independent cinemas on New Year’s Day, ahead of its launch in cinemas nationwide on Monday 9th January 2023.

Pearl & Dean, which celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2023, will be featured in the upcoming film, with its iconic Pearl & Dean ‘Asteroid’ theme tune making a cameo. Searchlight has also created a 90” content piece running exclusively in Pearl & Dean cinemas and across Pearl & Dean social channels in support of the partnership to pay homage to the new film and the iconic music.

From Academy Award-winning director and writer Sam Mendes, “Empire of Light” is a moving drama about the power of human connection during turbulent times. Set in and around a faded old cinema in an English coastal town in the early 1980s, it follows Hilary (Olivia Colman) a cinema manager struggling with her mental health, and Stephen (Micheal Ward), a new employee who longs to escape this provincial town in which he faces daily adversity. Both Hilary and Stephen find a sense of belonging through their unlikely and tender relationship and come to experience the healing power of music, cinema, and community.

Pearl & Dean will host preview screenings of “Empire of Light” at the below selected independent cinemas in association with Searchlight Pictures. Customers will also receive a free popcorn and postcard set:

Sunday, 1st January:

  • Edinburgh Dominion – 5.45pm
  • Felixtowe Palace – 8pm
  • Gorleston Palace – 8.20pm
  • Folkestone Silver Screen – 7.30pm
  • Leiston Film Theatre – 3pm
  • Sidmouth Radway – 6pm
  • Wadebridge Regal – 6pm
  • Truro Plaza – 6pm

    • Monday, 2nd January:

  • Great Yarmouth Arc – 7.45pm
  • Richmond The Station Cinema – 7.30pm
  • Broadstairs Palace – 7.30pm
  • Sandwich Empire – 7.45pm
  • Herne Bay Cavanagh – 8pm
  • Berkhamsted Rex – 7.30pm
  • St Andrews New Picture House – time TBC

    • Kathryn Jacob OBE, CEO at Pearl & Dean, said: “In 2023 we will be marking Pearl & Dean’s 70th anniversary, and we are honoured to have the unique opportunity to kick off the year with a feature in this new film from Sam Mendes. “Empire of Light” is a wonderful film that truly celebrates cinema and its role in our lives and the local community. In homage to the film itself, we couldn’t think of a better way than to celebrate its release and the start of our 70th year with many of our independent cinema partners so that we can all share in the magic of the silver screen.”

    About Pearl & Dean
    Pearl & Dean is the UK’s best-known cinema advertising contractor. Representing a wide range of cinemas, with multiplex chains offering landmark locations throughout the UK & Ireland including Showcase, Empire, Movie House, and Omniplex sites. Its iconic theme tune, Asteroid, evokes an instant aroma of popcorn and fun.

    Pearl & Dean also represents the majority of the independent exhibition sector, with a portfolio of quality circuits such as Everyman, The Light Cinemas, Scott Cinemas, Northern Morris and WTW Cinemas as well as independently operated cinemas, drive-in cinemas and outdoor experience cinemas like The Luna Cinema, each offering individuality and often a specialist audience.

    Pearl & Dean’s cinemas offer a varied schedule of programming – from the latest blockbusters through to classic and art-house movies to alternative content such as live opera or concerts. All of this enables Pearl & Dean to offer advertisers precise targeting of either specific demographics or the population as a whole, in an environment where advertisers can showcase brands to a relaxed and captive audience. www.pearlanddean.com.

    About Searchlight Pictures
    Searchlight Pictures is a global specialty film and television company that develops, produces, finances and acquires motion pictures for both worldwide theatrical and streaming releases. It has its own marketing and distribution operations, and is part of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company. Founded in 1994 as Fox Searchlight Pictures, the company’s titles have grossed over $5 billion worldwide, amassing 46 Academy Awards including five Best Picture winners since 2009:?”Slumdog Millionaire”, “12 Years a Slave”, “Birdman”, “The Shape of Water”, and “Nomadland”; 51 BAFTA Awards, 28 Golden Globe Awards, and 10 Grammy Awards. Searchlight Television, the division which develops and produces series for streaming, network, and cable partners, earned 6 Primetime Emmy Award nominations for its first production “The Dropout”; from Elizabeth Meriwether, in partnership with Hulu and 20th Studios. Searchlight recently released Tom George’s “See How They Run”, Quinn Shephard’s “Not Okay”; Sophie Hyde’s “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”; Andrew Ahn’s “Fire Island”; Guillermo del Toro’s Academy Award-nominated?”Nightmare Alley”; and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s Oscar-winning documentary feature “Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” with Hulu and in partnership with Disney’s Onyx Collective, Martin McDonagh’s “The Banshees of Inisherin” and Mark Mylod’s “The Menu”. Upcoming releases include Sam Mendes’ “Empire of Light”; Taika Waititi’s “Next Goal Wins”; Stephen Williams’ “Chevalier”; and Eva Longoria’s “Flamin’ Hot”.