The Showroom Cinema in Sheffield is celebrating its 30th anniversary next year, and with its fourth decade comes its most ambitious plans yet.

From a facelift and film festival, to a change of focus and leadership, the South Yorkshire cultural charity is determined to do its bit to ensure Sheffield’s name is up in lights.

The Showroom cinema started in 1995 with just two small screens. It came out of work from independent filmmakers, academics, architects, film enthusiasts and DEED (the Department for Employment and Economic Development) in Sheffield City Council, to engage with and promote the proto-film industry in Sheffield. Later, a National Lottery grant helped remodel the front of the building and add two big screens.

From the very start, it’s been a charity with a unique business model: the Work Station next door rents out spaces to creative workers, and along with the Café Bar they exist to support the cinema and its outreach work.

The plan for the next phase of growth has three main elements: 

1. A hub for future talent 

Establishing the Showroom as a hub for future talent, developing a pipeline of creatives, and encouraging them to remain in our city by supporting the growth of a viable film and television industry. 

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Mark Hilton, said: 

“The Trustees feel that, just like Sheffield, the Showroom is ready for its next phase of growth. That’s why we are seeking to position it at the forefront of the economic and cultural regeneration taking place in our city at the moment. 

We already work in partnership with the British Film Institute to run its highly successful BFI Youth Film Academy; additionally we often collaborate freely with both of Sheffield’s world class universities supporting their formal programmes of work and the growth of the filmmaking talent base in the region. As the hub for the annual DocFest, we attract visitors from around the globe throwing a spotlight on Sheffield within the context of film. We want to grow this, providing a focal point for local, national and international talent looking for opportunities, training and support. 

Learning from the success of Warp Films and other local industry leaders, we want to work with Sheffield City Council and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to grow the film and television industry in Sheffield - embedding this goal in each institution’s cultural strategy.” 

2. A home for local stories 

Ensuring that local voices and stories are recorded and shared. 

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Mark Hilton, said: 

“Sheffield folk have always known how to tell a good story, whether it was at a bus stop or on the big screen. We recognised this with the first-ever Sheffield Film Festival in August, which celebrated the rich film heritage, homegrown talent, and thriving film culture of Sheffield and the surrounding region.  

But we recognise that technology has changed and democratised the creation of the moving image. Drawing on our success with the BFI Youth Film Academy, we want to boost our community engagement work and ensure that Sheffield’s diverse voices make it to the screen. Alongside a potential project with Sheffield Archives, we believe this can ensure that local stories are captured and told - from the Golden Age of cinema through to the advent of TikTok and streaming.” 

3. Ahead of the heritage curve 

Restoring the Showroom’s iconic building and establishing it as a gateway to the city. 

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Mark Hilton, said: 

“Sheffield city centre’s revival may be rooted in the restoration of historic buildings - ensuring we don’t look like every other city - but the Showroom was doing this long before it was a conscious strategy. 

The Showroom’s Art Deco building is more than just a piece of real estate within the Cultural Quarter. Its architecture harks back to the Golden Age of Cinema in the 1920s and 30s, and we want to ensure it reflects the visual style of the time.  

Having reached the next round of a Heritage Lottery Grant application and with the development of an ambitious fundraising strategy, we aim to restore the building to its natural beauty. The Showroom’s new visual identity also reflects and celebrates its Art Deco roots. 

The building’s location means it can act as the gateway to a city that values its heritage, particularly for visitors arriving at the train station. We want to ensure it lives up to this responsibility, and that it becomes a vital landmark and local resource within the new city centre neighbourhoods identified in Sheffield City Council’s Local Plan.” 

Handing over the baton: seeking a new CEO 

Founding CEO, Ian Wild, is moving on after 30 years’ service and the search is on for his successor. 

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Mark Hilton, said: 

“With the current CEO, Ian Wild, moving on after thirty years of dedicated service, it is time for someone else to take on the leadership of this great cultural asset.  

Ian was instrumental in getting the Showroom up and running, and then keeping it going through even the most challenging times - particularly the Covid lockdown. He brought in new funding streams and helped build long-lasting partnerships across the film industry. We are grateful to him for his loyalty, hard work and commitment.  

Now we are seeking someone to build on this solid foundation and lead the Showroom and its staff to even greater success.” 

The CEO vacancy will be advertised in the coming weeks, with the expectation that the new CEO will take up post in January 2025. 

Showroom Cinema and Work Station CEO, Ian Wild, said: 

“Developing and managing the Showroom and Work Station business centre for over 30 years was my dream job come true.  I began to work on the project in 1988 as part of a city council team who had a vision to develop a world class cinema in Sheffield.  I later successfully applied for the job of Director of Showroom, overseeing the fundraising and building programmes and then the opening of the cinema.  I was appointed as Chief Executive in 2001 and have successfully managed both the Showroom and Work Station business centre from that time.

I am immensely proud of our achievements over the last 30 years, not only providing audiences with some amazing cultural programmes though our film curation and festivals, but also helping many companies and small business to get off the ground and to create new employment in Sheffield’s cultural industries.   

“During that time I have been privileged to work with some wonderful and dedicated colleagues who have tirelessly striven to provide world class cultural programs for the people of Sheffield and South Yorkshire. 

 “As the Showroom moves forward to its next phase of development it seems like an appropriate time for me to hand over to someone new.  I will take away many recollections and memories but the fantastic enthusiasm and support of Sheffield’s film audiences over many years will always be at the front of my thoughts.”