Chester Film Society

About Us

Who We Are

Chester Film Society is run by volunteers with a Committee and a Film Programming Team supported by other members involved in front of house activities.

The Committee

(Elected by the members and responsible for the administration and governance of the Society)

  • Simon Anderson
  • Rachel Cross
  • David Gill
  • Susanne Hodder
  • Karen Howes
  • David Serrano
  • Jolene Wells

The Film Programming Team

(Appointed by the Committee to select the films to be screened each season)

  • Linda Cloet
  • Matthew Flanagan
  • Krzysztof Grzechowski
  • Anne Ord Sykes
  • Val Shannon
  • Julia Tickridge

Our success is due to the loyalty and enthusiasm of our members. We are always pleased to see our friends returning as members, and we are delighted to welcome new members, of all ages, to the society with its diverse mix of films and film-related social events.

Chester Film Society is a member of Cinema For All, the national organisation which represents and supports the film society movement. The society was started in 1970 by George Mayled, our founder.

What We Are

  • We are a membership society. Anyone over 16 can join.
  • All our season’s films are shown at Chester Picturehouse, usually in Screen 1 at 7:30pm (long films may require an earlier start time).
  • Membership for a full season is just ยฃ10 which allows you to buy a ticket for any of our films for just ยฃ5 from Picturehouse on production of your CFS membership card.
  • Non-members can still attend our screenings but will pay the full standard Picturehouse ticket price
  • Members will get regular emails about the forthcoming films with extra information
  • On film nights, you will be welcomed at the screen door by our volunteers who will give you a film rating slip. We encourage everyone attending to rate the film and, if they wish, leave a comment. We give a short introduction to the film (no trailers or adverts) and feedback the ratings from the previous film.

What We Do

Chester Film Society offers the people of Chester and surrounding areas the chance to see some of the finer films of world cinema in a relaxing and appreciative atmosphere. Our programme provides a selection of new releases and classics with varying themes and genres but always chosen to interest, intrigue and entertain.

  In addition to the film society, we also manage (with our partners) an annual International Film Festival.

Click here to view our constitution.

Annual and Special General Meetings

The 2026 AGM

The 2026 AGM took place on Thursday 23rd April, before the screening of Nouvelle Vague, the final film of the 2025/26 Season. Members received notice by email including a report on the season, the accounts to year end 31st March 2026 and details of the committee to be formally elected. To view the minutes click here.

Minutes from Previous Meetings