RIO FOREVER: LITTLE WHITE LIES PRESENT… A CELLULOID SURPRISE #1 ON 35MM

Come down and celebrate the Rio Forever season by coming to see a mystery film screening – the only thing that we can guarantee to you at this point is that it will be presented on a glorious 35mm film print. Actually, we can guarantee more than that, as the film has been hand-picked by a member of the Little White Lies editorial team, so satisfaction is all but guaranteed. This is the first of a short series of screenings that will take place across the year, all in tandem with the Rio Forever celebrations. Once you’ve scored your ticket, all you need to do is come along and, to quote the coen brothers’ A Serious Man, just “accept the mystery”.

At The Rio, we’re proud to be the UK’s longest-running cinema - a place where films have been screened, shared and loved since 1909. In 2026, we mark 50 years of being run by and for our community, and we’re celebrating with a 6 month-long programme we’re calling RIO FOREVER. Launching in April 2026, RIO FOREVER honours the Rio as a living part of Hackney’s cultural and social history.

We’ll be showcasing what the Rio does best: bold, eclectic programming; archival gems; and gatherings that bring people together. Throughout the year, we’re inviting filmmakers, artists and cultural agitators to dive into our archive of 50 years of cinema programming and choose a title to reintroduce to the public. Each headline screening will act as a fundraiser to help maintain our beautiful, historic building and ensure the Rio remains an inclusive, vibrant, community-run space for generations to come.