The Rio is an independent Art Deco picture palace in Dalston, Hackney. It is a non- profit charity and has been run as a community cinema for over 40 years.
It shows a mixture of art house and mainstream films over two screens, one a full-sized silver screen with 400 seats, the other a more intimate 28 seat screen recently opened following a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign. It is a key venue for several film festivals including the East End Film Festival and often presents live music, talks and special events on stage in the auditorium.
The Rio is run for local Hackney residents with community at the heart of its programming. This includes;
Classic Matinees for Hackney pensioners and beyond.Special Screenings for those who are hard of hearing or suffering from dementia.Family screenings including, holiday matinees and a parents and babies club.Affordable discounted tickets for students, low income and the unemployed. This is alongside Educational School Screenings.
The building is Grade II listed by English Heritage, who admire the 'sweeping curves' of the Rio's 1930s auditorium. To enhance the traditional cinema experience, it has plush red velvet seats, atmospheric music before the show, and long red curtains that swish back before the film starts.
