HippFest

24/10/2026

Saturday morning reading: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ for Faust (1926) from Peter Bradshaw!

'Murnau’s Faust is (obviously) concerned with and animated by evil, and there are echoes of his Nosferatu, made four years previously. In this film, Faust, having struck his bargain on a provisional 24-hour basis with Mephisto, finds that he is scared of a crucifix, like a vampire. It is also very much a film of Weimar Germany with its mad energy and streaks of garish satire and black comedy...'

📰 Read in full, courtesy of The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/oct/15/faust-review-centenary-mubi
🎟️ Screening tonight, doors at 6:30PM: https://www.hippodromecinema.co.uk/whats-on/taste-of-silents-faust-1926/

The 1926 film of Goethe’s tragic tale of a man who sells his soul to the devil remains a spectacular feat of German expressionism

23/10/2026

A sneak-peek of the themed cocktails available for tomorrow's screening of Faust (1926) - last chance to book! 👹🍸

We will be opening the doors at 6:30PM for some pre-screening fun, featuring an audience confession box designed by our HippFest Young Programmers. Murnau’s Faust made a deal with the devil to save a city. The Fausts of folklore bargained for power, fortune, and non-earthly knowledge. But what would tempt you to sign away your soul? Eternal youth? A four-day working week? Or perhaps a HippFest Five-day Festival Pass... Share your anonymous answers in our Confession Box before the screening. We’ll reveal a selection of your most devilish wagers before the lights go down...

🎟️ https://www.hippodromecinema.co.uk/whats-on/taste-of-silents-faust-1926/
▶️ Video made by Helen Jockel

22/10/2026

20/10/2026

New podcast alert - Postcards from Pordenone 💌

As we crank up our heating and gaze outside at the rain, it's hard to believe just over a week ago Le Giornate del Cinema Muto was in full swing. This year, thanks to Creative Scotland's Expanded Festivals Fund, Digital Content Manager Christina Webber was able to visit, and wanted to convey something of the post-screening-posta film chatter. Thus, HippCast Episode 39 was born! Featuring 11 fabulous filmophile guests: Serge Bromberg, Kate Saccone (Women Film Pioneers Project), Bryony Dixon (BFI), Daan van den Hurk, Laura Horak (Cinema's First Nasty Women), Pamela Hutchinson, Stacey Wisnia (San Francisco Silent Film Festival), Alison Strauss (Hippodrome Cinema/ HippFest, of course), Joel Archer, Melanie Selfe, and Ben Palmer.

Think of it as a kind of audio cicchetti...

🎧️ Listen to the show: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7JWPaTeBzcXycFVm1pXm6Q?si=_Y4W1q8USFa_4a9EZpfRow
🖥️ Read the blog/transcript: https://hippfest.wordpress.com/2026/10/20/hippcast-episode-39/

Relishing the buzz in the square surrounding Teatro Verdi, for HippCast Episode 39 we were excited to capture some of the delicious Pordenone silent film chatter on ‘tape’…

19/10/2026

Coming up on Saturday 24 October: Faust (1926) 😈 What deal is worth your soul?

Regarded as one of the pinnacles of German Expressionist cinema, Faust was the final German production of F. W. Murnau (Nosferatu; Sunrise). Drawing on centuries of enduring folk tale, Murnau transforms the metaphysical morality tale of Faust into an atmospheric drama, where shadows loom and supernatural spectacles inspire awe... I.e the perfect spooky season silent!

Join us at Hippodrome Cinema to experience this iconic film on the big screen, with live musical accompaniment from Jane Gardner and Hazel Morrison, themed cocktails, and audience confession box...

🎟️ Tickets: https://www.hippodromecinema.co.uk/whats-on/taste-of-silents-faust-1926/
🎞️ Screening material courtesy of the Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung in Wiesbaden.

14/10/2026

Hooray for Harold Lloyd! 🎶 Who else remembers the theme tune from the 70s/80s BBC 2 series of silents?

We couldn't resist clipping this audio from our most recent podcast episode with Hazel Morrison (singing!) and Jane Gardner, who are accompanying FAUST (1926) later in the Taste of Silents season. But before FAUST, we have Harold Lloyd in SPEEDY(1928), coming up this Saturday 17 October at 2:30PM, with live musical accompaniment from Mike Nolan. We'll see you there!

🎟️ Upcoming Taste of Silents titles: https://www.hippodromecinema.co.uk/hippfest/taste-of-silents/
📻️ Listen to HippCast here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/hippcast/episodes/This-kind-of-magic-telepathy-in-conversation-with-Jane-Gardner-and-Hazel-Morrison-e3pkgqk
🙏 And of course thanks to Ste for magic-ing up the poster!

13/10/2026

The best news to start a Tuesday morning! Congratulations Team Hippodrome! 🥳🥳🥳

SMALL CINEMA. BIG NEWS!

Our little cinema is making a BIG impression.

The Hippodrome has been longlisted for BIFA Cinema of the Year 2026.

One of just 15 cinemas across the UK.

We are bursting with pride and would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who supports our beautiful cinema.

Now, fingers crossed for the final five!

10/10/2026

Only 1 week to go! We are gearing up for the second title in our Taste of Silents season, featuring none other than comedy genius Harold Lloyd.

Join us at Hippodrome Cinema to experience all the magic of silent film, live musical accompaniment, and the total joy of a full cinema laughing out loud. Featuring a show-stopping and hilarious chase scene, Lloyd's last silent film is packed with personality and great gags. Look out for some gorgeous on-location shots from around New York and a major cameo from baseball legend Babe Ruth!

🍿 More info: https://www.hippodromecinema.co.uk/whats-on/taste-of-silents-speedy-1928/
🎞️ Screening material courtesy of Park Circus / Janus Films
🎶 Live musical accompaniment: Mike Nolan

09/10/2026

See if you can spot Christina! 😁