*Back by request of RBC projectionist Alex Murray*

To promote Empire of Light its distributor, Searchlight Pictures, and the UK Cinema Association were looking for unsung cinema heroes, those who have dedicated their careers to keeping the magic of the big screen alive for communities up and down the UK. Out of over 1,000 nominations Alex made the final Top 10 list! He didn’t win but was delighted to be recognised by his peers. Alex chose this superb love letter to cinema for screening one more time. Olivia Colman is the duty manager of a seaside cinema struggling with her mental health, who forms a relationship with a new employee. Take his word for it, it is superb.

Hilary (Olivia Colman) is a cinema manager struggling with her mental health, and Stephen (Micheal Ward) is a new employee longing to escape the provincial town where he faces daily adversity. Together they find a sense of belonging and experience the healing power of music, cinema, and community.

Hilary (Olivia Colman) is a cinema manager struggling with her mental health, and Stephen (Micheal Ward) is a new employee longing to escape the provincial town where he faces daily adversity. Together they find a sense of belonging and experience the healing power of music, cinema, and community.

Hilary (Olivia Colman) is a cinema manager struggling with her mental health, and Stephen (Micheal Ward) is a new employee longing to escape the provincial town where he faces daily adversity. Together they find a sense of belonging and experience the healing power of music, cinema, and community.

Hilary (Olivia Colman) is a cinema manager struggling with her mental health, and Stephen (Micheal Ward) is a new employee longing to escape the provincial town where he faces daily adversity. Together they find a sense of belonging and experience the healing power of music, cinema, and community.