Our Story

20th September 1979 - A Cinema is Born:

Chichester Cinema at New Park was created by Roger Gibson (Artistic Consultant & Festival Director) at Chichester College as the ‘Chichester College Adult Education Film Society’ on the 20th September 1979. Films were shown on 16mm one evening a week for 24 weeks of the year. It quickly grew a loyal and cult following locally.

Over the next 40-plus years, what began as a solution to the closure of Chichester’s only cinema at the time (The Granada, where New Look now sits on East Street), has blossomed into a nationally acclaimed and locally loved independent cinema.

Not only do we screen a high-quality programme of films from all over the world, but we are a registered charity committed to supporting the young; improving the wellbeing of the vulnerable; and providing fulfilling employment and volunteering opportunities – always keeping the art and enjoyment of film front and centre.

Click HERE for the NEW PARK CINEMA TIMELINE

Our charitable status

To advance the education of the public in the knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the art of film.

The charity's main objective is to advance the education of the public in the knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the art of film. It achieves this through the screening of films from all over the world, including classic and popular films; and by delivering an outreach and education programme working with and supporting the local area through community support and study programmes.

Charitable Aims

High quality programme

To screen a high-quality programme of films from all over the world, including classic and popular films that engage diverse audiences and promote the enjoyment of film.

Support young people

To support young people through a curriculum and industry led outreach and education programme.

Building a community

Improve wellbeing and stronger local community links by supporting vulnerable people, and those unable to access cinemas, through our community support and study programmes.

Meaningful Opportunities

To create fulfilling employment and volunteering opportunities and deliver a sustainable future for the cinema, contributing to the wider local community and economy.

Support our aims

Our Team

With approximately 175 years combined Chichester Cinema at New Park experience, your team below is made up of dedicated film and cinema personnel, hoping to making your visit comfortable, memorable and enlightening.

Walter Francisco

Cinema Director & Programmer

Favourite Film

City of God

Roger Gibson

Cinema President, Film Festival Artistic Director and Event Cinema Consultant

Favourite Film

North by Northwest

Richard Warburton

Operations Manager

Favourite Film

Double Indemnity

Ninian MacGuffie

Box Office Assistant

Favourite Film

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

Eleanor Witcomb

Box Office Assistant

Favourite Film

Spirited Away

Mark Hoare

Operations Assistant

Favourite Film

Some Like It Hot

Eva Busquier

Accounts Officer

Favourite Film

Sixth Sense

James Stokes

Senior Projectionist

Favourite Film

Paint Your Wagon

Abi Exelby

Box Office Assistant

Favourite Film

Top Gun

Paul Gainford

Operations Assistant

Favourite Film

Stalker

Paul Stanley

Relief Projectionist

Favourite Film

Dumbo (1941)

Bob Bregazzi

Relief Projectionist

Favourite Film

Heat

20th September 1979 - A Cinema is Born:

Our charitable status

Charitable Aims

High quality programme

Support young people

Building a community

Meaningful Opportunities

Our Team

Our volunteers

Support Us

Film Education