The National Science and Media Museum’s annual celebration of widescreen cinema returns from the 25 – 29 September. The festival celebrates 70 years of Todd-AO with 70mm screenings of “Baraka” (1992) and visionary early work from the late David Lynch, “Dune” (1984), Other highlights include a special spotlight on Korean widescreen Cinema, in partnership with the Korean Film Archive, and a centenary tribute to Hollywood legend Jack Lemmon. Pictureville remains the only public cinema in the world capable of screening Cinerama, with three screenings included in this year’s programme.
Widescreen Weekend returns to the National Science and Media Museum’s Pictureville this September, for five days of large-format cinema, uniting historic film formats, beloved classics and rarely seen gems. Taking place from 25 – 29 September 2025, the 29th edition of Widescreen Weekend continues to champion film on film, showcasing Pictureville’s world-class projection facilities across formats – from 70mm epics to incredible, and rare, three-strip Cinerama. Set in the heart of Bradford, UNESCO’s first City of Film and UK City of Culture 2025, the festival invites audiences to experience cinema as it was intended to be seen.
At the heart of this year’s festival is a celebration of the 70th anniversary of Todd-AO. This groundbreaking 70mm film format was developed in the mid-1950s as a high-fidelity alternative to CinemaScope, designed to encourage audiences to return to cinemas following the rise of television in the home. Widescreen Weekend 2025 programme honours both the format and its legacy, featuring screenings of John Wayne’s “The Alamo” (1960) and “Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines” (1965) alongside later revivals, such as the anamorphic Todd AO 35 lenses seen in “Baraka” (1992) and David Lynch’s “Dune” (1984), in a rare 70mm print presentation.
In addition to Lynch’s “Dune,” the festival will also be looking at more contemporary approaches to immersive cinema technologies with a double bill of Denis Villeneuve’s recent adaptations, “Dune: Part One” (2021) and “Dune: Part Two” (2024). Both will be screened on the museum’s iconic IMAX screen for a truly immersive cinema experience. Widescreen Weekend’s IMAX takeover continues with an all night “Batman” marathon, celebrating 20 years of “Batman Begins” (2005) with back-to-back screenings of Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Trilogy” (2005, 2008, 2012).
Uniquely placed within the only remaining public Cinerama venue in the world, Widescreen Weekend also offers multiple opportunities to enjoy the groundbreaking 1950’s cinema technology that is thought have inspired Todd-AO, to ensure this now rare format can continue to be enjoyed by all. Two authentic 3-strip Cinerama screenings will take place over the festival, “This is Cinerama” (1952) and “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm” (U) (1963), as well as a digital restoration of “Cinerama Holiday” (1955).
Following previous celebrations of Japanese and Italian widescreen cinema, Widescreen Weekend continues its global focus by shining a spotlight on Korean widescreen cinema, in a special partnership with the Korean Film Archive. Championing both classic and contemporary Korean cinema, audiences will have the chance to see Park Chan-wook’s genre-defining neo-noir “Oldboy” (2003) on 35mm, as well as stunning 4k restorations of dark occult classic “The Hut” (1981) and Kim Ki-young’s “Goryeojang” [“Burying Old Alive”] (1963), the first – and likely only – Korean feature film shot in the ultrawide 2.76:1 aspect ratio.
With 2025 also marking the centenary of the birth of Hollywood icon Jack Lemmon, this year’s Widescreen Weekend will feature a specially curated selection of titles, particuarly focusing on his comedies, celebrating the enduring legacy of one of cinema’s greats. Included in the strand are Billy Wilder’s tender satire “Irma La Douce” (1963), shot in vivid Metrocolor and CinemaScope, and, paying tribute to the earlier days of Lemmon’s career, off-kilter musical “My Sister Eileen” (1955). “A Twist of Lemmon” will also pay tribute to Lemmon’s legendary on-screen partnership with Walter Matthau, with screenings of “The Odd Couple” (1968) and “The Front Page” (1974).
Continuing to look to legends of the big screen, “Twentieth Century Diva: Julie Andrews at 90” looks to Andrews’ career beyond The Sound of Music during the week of her birthday. Co-curated by Dominic Broomfield McHugh, Professor of Musicology at the University of Sheffield, the three screenings shine a light on her range as a performer, including Golden Globe performance winning “Victor Victoria” (1982) and Alfred Hitchcock’s “Cold War thriller Torn Curtain” (1966). The strand also includes a special edition of Pictureville’s ongoing Cine Spotlights film education series, with a screening of rarely shown drama “Duet for One” (1986). Led by McHugh, the event will feature a post-screening discussion surrounding its representation of chronic illness.
Commenting on this year’s programme Sally Folkard, Head of Screen and Cultural Engagement said: “We’re delighted to welcome audiences back to Pictureville for the 29th edition of Widescreen Weekend. This year’s programme is a true celebration of cinematic innovation and global storytelling – from the pioneering spectacle of Todd-AO on its 70th anniversary to our special partnership with the Korean Film Archive, showcasing Korean cinema to our audiences.
Widescreen Weekend 2025 also looks to the enduring legacies of Hollywood legends, honouring the career of Jack Lemmon in his centenary year, and marking Julie Andrews’ 90th birthday with a specially curated strand that highlights her, sometimes overlooked, range.
We are extremely proud to continue to celebrate film on film and our world-class projection facilities, including our ability to keep Cinerama alive – offering multiple chances to experience the format over the festival as the only remaining venue regularly screening Cinerama to the public Widescreen Weekend continues to honour the past, embrace the present, and inspire conversations about the future of film. We can’t wait to welcome new and returning audiences to the festival during Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture.”
The full Widescreen Weekend programme and?passes are available on the National Science and Media Museum website.
About the National Science and Media Museum
The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, West Yorkshire, opened in 1983, and has since become one of the most visited UK museums outside London. It draws on more than three million objects from its national collection to explore the science and culture of image and sound technologies, and their impact on our lives.
The museum creates special exhibitions, interactive galleries and activities for families and adults, and is home to Pictureville, Yorkshire’s biggest independent cinema with three screens including Europe’s first IMAX and the only public Cinerama venue in the world.
As a charity, the museum relies on the generous support of individuals, businesses, and charitable trusts to continue its vital work. Discover how you can add your support: https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/support-museum
The National Science and Media Museum reopened on 8 January 2025, following a £6m once in a generation transformation. The museum is open seven days a week, from 10:00 – 17:00. For more information and to book tickets, please visit our website.