The Rio is Hackney’s leading independent cinema, screening films at this address since 1909! Established as a community-led charity in 1976, we hold a remarkable archive as well as being a leading light of London’s thriving film culture. By night we are a vital part of London’s independent cinema scene, hosting film festivals, live scores and Q&As with directors and incredible live events. We are also a hub for Hackney’s LQBTQIA+ community. We have a vibrant bar and are the perfect place to meet up in Dalston for a drink.
By day, we deliver multiple community screenings Carers & Babies club, Classic Matinees show for seniors, Family Flicks in the school holidays, screenings for D/deaf families, and Relaxed screenings. Thousands of Hackney school children come through our doors every year.
✔️LGBTQIA+ SAFE SPACE
✔️FAMILY FRIENDLY
✔️COMMITTED TO ACCESSIBILITY
✔️ANTI-RACIST
Who Programmes The Rio?
We do! The Rio film programme is put together with a unique, collaborative approach, reflecting our community-led ethos. Peter Howden is our programmer, and we also have many curators on our team contributing to the RIO’s programme.
Peter Howden - Main features & first run
Andrew Woodyatt - Pink Palace
Molly Miles & Scary Claire - Category H
Zain Gibson - Never Watching Movies
Elisabetta Antonucci & Favorito - At Home with the Ludskis
Rosa Marouane - Dream Emulator
Sarah Chorley, Selina Robertson, Helen de Witt - Rio Feminist Film Programming Group
We are also proud to host some of the UK's best film festivals.
Who We Are
Operations Managers Sylvie Dumont & Gwen Reed lead on the day-to-day running of the RIO. Ror Brown is our Creative and Marketing Manager. Rosie Greatorex is our Executive Director.
Executive Director: Rosie Greatorex
Operations Manager: Sylvie Dumont
Operations Manager: Gwen Reed
Creative and Marketing Manager: Ror Brown
Programme : Peter Howden
Finance: Mike McClure
Projection: Norna Yau
Audiences Manager: Claire Harrison
Bar Manager: Conrad Armstrong
Sound Tech: Wesley Gonzalez
Rio Trustees
Not all heroes wear capes! Since 1975, we’ve had a voluntary committee of local residents serving as trustees, meeting monthly to discuss strategy, pore over our accounts, and generally be on call 24/7 to ensure we remain dedicated to our mission to bring incredible cinema to the people of Hackney.
Special RIO thanks
Thanks to Ching-Li Chew who created our current branding with reference to our archive of graphic designs and print from the 70s to today. Thanks to Solaris Security for keeping our team and customers safe. Thanks to David Mew and Tom See from Savoy Systems, for building this beautiful website and supporting the Rio box office and ticketing!
