Opening in stages between 1993-8, the Showroom has grown to become one of the most significant independent cinema venues in the world. Committed to presenting quality filmmaking through curated and tailored offerings, we strive to bring all types of cinema from across the world to our local audience. Determined to make a difference through film, we hold diversity, originality and artistic excellence up as the hallmarks of our film portfolio. That said, we’re also not averse to the odd cult classic – we’re all about entertaining our audience, and we’re part of Sheffield’s wider community. We don’t exist purely for profit, but to provide a distinctive, exciting and reliable place for our audience to relax, discover and be transported to other worlds.
The Showroom’s parent company is a registered charity which exists to support educational and cultural provision for Sheffield and the surrounding area. Concerned with supporting and developing the independent film sector in the region, the Showroom, along with the Workstation, provides facilities, training opportunities and engagement.
Our cinema has 4 screens, all with luxury seating and high quality flexible projection facilities and sound systems. Screen 1 seats 83, Screen 2 seats 110, both located at ground level. Screen 3 seats 178 and Screen 4 seats 272, both located at basement level. In recent years our cinema screens have been used to offer wider cultural access, using satellite technology to bring world-class theatre, opera and ballet to Sheffield with participation in projects such as NT:Live, Glyndebourne, Globe on Screen and the Bolshoi ballet screenings.
We don’t just show films at the Showroom. We’re also involved in nurturing local talent, developing aspiration among local young people so they might follow a filmic career path and we educate all ages about all aspects of cinema. We host one of the most important documentary festivals on the planet, and have a year-round programme of amazing events, from celebrations of cult horror to live appearances from film directors, producers and actors from around the world.