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Theater Productions, Public Sector Banks, Movie Theaters, Auditoriums, Festivals

BFI Southbank

BFI Southbank is a London-based company that specializes in culture, entertainment, and events. They offer a range of services, including auditoriums, film production companies, home cinema installations, Imax theaters, national parks, outdoor movie theaters, public sector banks, theater productions, and movie theaters. They also provide services in building and construction, electronics, public sector and society, and financial services. BFI Southbank is dedicated to providing high-quality entertainment and cultural experiences for their customers.

Introduction to BFI Southbank

BFI Southbank is a cultural institution located in London, England. The company was founded in 1933 and is a part of the British Film Institute, which is responsible for promoting and preserving film and television in the UK. BFI Southbank's purpose is to showcase the best of British and international cinema, host film festivals and events, and provide educational opportunities for film enthusiasts. What makes this company unique is its historic building, which was previously known as the National Film Theatre, and its commitment to preserving film heritage.

Services & products

BFI Southbank offers a range of services and products related to film and cinema. Customers can buy tickets to screenings of classic and contemporary films in one of its three auditoriums, including the largest cinema screen in the UK. The company also hosts film festivals throughout the year, such as the London Film Festival and the BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival. In addition, BFI Southbank offers educational opportunities for film enthusiasts, including talks, workshops, and courses.

Location

BFI Southbank is located in the heart of London, on Belvedere Road. The area surrounding the company is known for its cultural institutions, including the National Theatre and the Southbank Centre. Customers can expect to find a variety of restaurants and cafes in the area, as well as shops and galleries. The closest public transportation options are Waterloo Station (0.3 miles), Embankment Station (0.4 miles), and Charing Cross Station (0.7 miles).

Benefits

Customers should choose BFI Southbank because of its commitment to showcasing the best of British and international cinema, its historic building, and its educational opportunities for film enthusiasts. The company's film festivals and events are also a unique and exciting way to experience cinema.

Good to know

Customers should be aware that BFI Southbank is a popular destination for film enthusiasts and can get very busy, especially during film festivals and events. It is recommended to book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Reviews

Customers have praised BFI Southbank for its unique and historic building, its diverse range of films and events, and its educational opportunities. Many customers also appreciate the company's commitment to preserving film heritage. However, some customers have noted that the company can be quite busy and that ticket prices can be high.

FAQ

What festivals do you organize and what is unique about them?

We organize several film festivals throughout the year, including the London Film Festival and the BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Our festivals showcase a diverse range of films from around the world and offer unique opportunities to interact with filmmakers and industry professionals.

Are there any restrictions on the type of events that can be held in the auditorium?

We do have some restrictions on the type of events that can be held in our auditorium, but they are generally related to content and ensuring that it aligns with our values as an organization. We are happy to discuss any specific event needs and work with organizers to ensure a successful event.

What is the park's policy on camping and overnight stays?

We are not a national park, nor do we have any policy on camping or overnight stays. We are a film production company and theater located in London.

Do you offer any discounts or special promotions for tickets or concessions?

We do offer discounts for certain groups, such as students and seniors, as well as special promotions for members of our organization. We also occasionally have limited-time offers for tickets and concessions, which can be found on our website or social media channels.

What measures does the park take to protect wildlife and natural resources?

As previously mentioned, we are not a national park and do not have any measures in place to protect wildlife and natural resources. However, we are committed to sustainability and minimizing our impact on the environment through various initiatives such as recycling and reducing waste.

Reviews

  • William Mason

    16-06-2023
  • jose obiang

    15-06-2023
  • Locutus Borg

    Shabby and worn out, the screens here are terrible, as is their snobby clientele. I have been here on numerous occasions, for special screenings or film seasons. One time, I was there with a friend and we had purchased crisps from the foyer, which we were allowed to take in. The film hadn’t started yet, and a woman, with a young boy, sat next to me. She told me “excuse me, but you can’t eat in here during the screening”. I wasn’t eating, and hadn’t even opened the packet of crisps. I had purchased it to consume after the screening ended because I know people attending BFI screenings don’t eat during the film. Even so, I politely reminded her that the programmes had not started and was not going to for at least another 20 minutes, and plenty of people there have refreshments before the lights go out. The funny thing was that during the movie’s intermission, the lady went out with the child, and they came back in, and ate crisps. Looks like this snobby person just wanted to make sure I did not break the sanctity of the NFT by eating, assuming I had not been there before. When I am at the BFI I don’t eat anything when the lights go down, but the general rule to not eat popcorn during the screening is very daft anyway. Eating popcorn and refreshments during a film is part of the enjoyment of seeing films, and is also part of the cinema-going experience. I love having some popcorn when I watch movies. It is not like the films being viewed are so sacred that munching popcorn would be disrespectful to the art form, or even the audience. Most people who go to the cinema are used to hearing people eat popcorn so I doubt it would bother them. The BFI should get over itself. Anyway, apart from that, most of the screens are small, and the theatres, in spite of refurbishments still have a very run down look about them, and hardly seem equipped to celebrate cinema. NFT1 is the only half decent screen there, and even that is just about good enough. NFT3 is a tiny theatre with a screen that barely provides a better experience than a decent tv. The BFI/NFT sounds better than it is, and the whole experience of being there is extremely underwhelming due to the outdated design of the buildings, small screens and poor use of floor space. The location by the Southbank is quite good, but the BFI buildings are a hideous eyesore. They should close for a period, tear down the old sites, and rebuild it from scratch, but this time with a clearer idea of what they want this place to be. The site should be like a film museum, but I think they can actually improve its exhibition spaces and turn it into a proper museum, a luxurious building that celebrates the history of cinema and also shows movies. While they might be doing that at present, the building layout is poor and no one would just walk in here unless they had tickets to see a film. Most people probably miss the poorly laid out exhibits inside the building. I think a future BFI should be a multi-storey building with all its screens on the ground floor, and the upper floors could be used to exhibit film technology, costumes, prints, and even have special interactive areas showing how films were made in different times. Children could come in and learn about film production, and there could be changing exhibitions showcasing famous film makers, actors, and movies. They do this to an extent but not very well. I think they need to re-conceptualise the whole thing. If these are the buildings that celebrate global cinema, they should look the part, and audiences should not be encouraged to be so conservative. Cinema is about fun, relaxation, enlightenment and entertainment, not some boring exercise in edification. Furthermore, if this is the satire that celebrates cinema, they need to have the best screens and theatres, and equipment. If vintage films look better on your tv, there is little point in going to see them here.

    14-06-2023
  • Martin Baron

    Well organised event

    13-06-2023
  • Abhishek Datta

    12-06-2023
  • Christopher Scott

    11-06-2023
  • Ela Kazdal

    11-06-2023
  • Zainab Elmi

    Got to see my best friend on the big screen. Absolute quality

    10-06-2023
  • David

    Cool caffe and great venue

    10-06-2023
  • Pamela Kalman

    10-06-2023