National Treasure Celia Imrie Surprises Warwick Arts Centre with £10,000 National Lottery Funding Boost
- Celia Imrie made a surprise appearance at Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry to announce new National Lottery funding for the venue.
- The National Lottery funding from Film Hub Midlands on behalf of The British Film Institute’s (BFI) Film Audience Network is awarded to the Centre’s Handle with Care cinema programme, alongside supporting inclusive cinema experiences. This funding is being shared as a result of the Film Hub Midlands' second round of Film Exhibition Funding.
- The moment was captured for The National Lottery’s Because of You campaign, fronted by Claudia Winkleman, which celebrates inspiring stories made possible by National Lottery funding.
British actress and national treasure Celia Imrie surprised film club enthusiasts at Warwick Arts Centre by making an unexpected appearance at a screening of her 1995 classic ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’.
As the credits rolled, the actress walked in on the unsuspecting audience members to announce that Warwick Arts Centre is being awarded £10,000 of National Lottery funding from Film Hub Midlands Film Exhibition Fund on behalf of BFI’s Film Audience Network.
Thanks to National Lottery players, the funding will enable Warwick Arts Centre to host ‘Handle with Care’, an uplifting themed cinema season exploring how we care for ourselves and each other. Exploring care in its many forms through three programme strands, it includes:
- Cosy Classics - a selection of beloved films with a focus on cinematic self-care, where audiences can bring blankets, enjoy hot drinks and engage in discussion
- Care on Screen - contemporary films exploring caregiving roles across different cultures
- Care Behind the Scenes - screenings and workshops on ethical filmmaking, consent, and community care
The programme will target underrepresented audiences and those less engaged with the venue post-reopening in 2021 and the pandemic, aiming to foster inclusive, reflective, and social experiences through film.
In addition, the funding will be put towards Warwick Arts Centre hosting relaxed film screenings and free artist-led workshops designed especially for neurodiverse and young audiences. The centre has long been a champion of inclusive arts programming, and this funding marks a significant step forward in its mission to make cinema more accessible to all. For the first time, these screenings will be integrated into the centre’s creative workshop offer, opening up new opportunities for children and families to experience film in a welcoming, sensory-friendly environment.
The heartwarming moment when audience members gasped and cheered at Celia’s surprise appearance as she revealed the news, was captured on film as part of The National Lottery’s Because of You campaign, fronted by Claudia Winkleman, which celebrates the life-changing impact of National Lottery-funded projects across the UK.
Actress and National Lottery ambassador Celia Imrie said, "It was such a joy to surprise film club enthusiasts at Warwick Arts Centre and share this wonderful announcement. More locals across the Midlands will be able to enjoy the magic of cinema in a way that feels welcoming and inclusive. These kinds of projects are so important, and I’m thrilled to see film being made more accessible for everyone – and it’s only possible because of you, National Lottery players across the UK."
Ben Roberts, Chief Executive of the BFI, added: “We’re delighted Film Hub Midlands – which is part of our nationwide BFI Film Audience Network – has awarded £10,000 of National Lottery Funding to Warwick Arts Centre, and that Celia’s visit to make the announcement was such a special moment for the staff and cinemagoers. Independent cinemas are integral to local communities, and this funding will help Warwick Arts Centre further serve their community to develop a relaxed, safe and communal space for them to engage with culture and will enable them to reach new audiences in the region. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can support independent cinemas across the UK, alongside a range of activity from bringing film into the classroom to inspire young people, through to providing grassroots filmmaking opportunities, which aims to build a community of film enthusiasts and filmmakers, who are shaping the cultural landscape of the UK.”
Since National Lottery funding began in 1994, more than 650,000 projects have been supported, with over £50 billion raised by players. Every week, National Lottery players contribute more than £30 million to good causes across the UK.
Film Exhibition Fund
The Film Exhibition Fund aims to support the independent film exhibition sector by developing cultural organisations across the Midlands.
The Film Exhibition Fund supports BFI Film Audience Network members to engage a broad and diverse audience with cultural film. Connecting people with British, independent and international films and broader screen experiences in their local communities in line with one or more of the BFI and FAN priority outcomes. Activity supported by The Film Exhibition Fund can vary in length, scale and format.