TAUNTON's alternative movie venue has opened at the CICCIC.

The high-quality community cinema space means film fans can experience big screen entertainment at low cost.

The project is a community-led initiative by CICCIC and people from the local community. It will upgrade existing facilities within the Paul Street centre to create a modern and adaptable space that will serve as a social hub for the whole community. The screening resource and associated café is designed to attract people into Taunton, raise its profile and aid its regeneration.

CICCIC director Andrew Knutt said: "As well as screening weekly films and documentaries that you may not see at your local multiplex, movie goers can lounge in our sofas, grab a drink at the bar, even nominate movies for us to screen and hire private movie screenings or movie parties".

Tim Cagney, Deputy CEO of the British Film Institute (BFI)which along with a local patron awarded CICCIC funding and equipment added: "We want to encourage people to build a lifelong relationship with film, to boost audiences for a diverse range of films and ensure that film culture can be accessed and enjoyed by everyone, regardless of where they live. Building on the valuable work of the community cinema sector and organisations marks an exciting stage in the roll out of Film Forever further helping communities across the length and breadth of the UK to enjoy the richness of the cinematic experience."

Films scheduled for this year include Northern Soul, English Vinglish, Woodstock, Cinema Paradiso, The Legend of Barney Thomson.