Working in conjunction with the BFI, Showroom Cinema is delighted to be hosting one-off screenings programmed and introduced by the BFI Young Programmers as part of their takeover. The group, aged between 18 and 25, meet once a month to contribute towards the curation of the cinema's film programme. Their chosen films have a particular focus on indie titles, particularly British, world cinema, cult films and movie classics.

On Saturday 10 June, Billy Wilder’s 1950 classic Sunset Boulevard screens more than 70 years after its original cinema release. The film follows disillusioned screenwriter Joe Gillis (William Holden), who gets a final chance to chase his dreams after he meets former silent film star Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) in a chance encounter, to later learn the painful lesson of fame. The screening will include an insightful talk about the current state of Hollywood's writers’ industry, the ongoing writers' strike and what it means for the future of the profession.

Audiences will be taken on a 70s spin on Saturday 24 June for a screening of The Nice Guys. The film follows Holland March (Ryan Gosling) as a down-on-his-luck private eye in 1977 Los Angeles, and Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe), a hired enforcer who hurts people for a living. Fate turns them into unlikely partners searching for a young woman (Margaret Qualley) who mysteriously disappears, but is also being tracked down by some dangerous people.

Capturing the style and humour of the 70s perfectly, Shane Black’s film is a throwback to a different era and offers audiences a rare glimpse into the comedic talents of Ryan Gosling (in advance of his role as Ken in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie which we’re excited to screen this summer). The film will be preceded by an insightful in-person introduction. Keep an eye out for some extra fun surprises in the Café Bar and screen before the film begins.

Later in the Young Programmers Takeover, Todd Haynes’ Velvet Goldmine will be screened on Saturday 15 July, starring Ewan McGregor, Toni Collette, and Christian Bale. The 1998 musical drama film follows glam rock star Brian Slade, who predicts his death on stage, and shortly after he announces his prediction, fakes his own death and is exposed as a fraud. A must-see if you love a "misfit" musical movie. The project is supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network.

Tickets for Young Programmers Takeover are on sale now: /young-progs