JAMES BALDWIN at 100. Lights, Camera, Baldwin. Celebrating a century of James Baldwin (1924 – 1987): the brilliant thinker, writer, and activist whose prescient essays, plays, and novels continue to shine a searing light on American racism 35 years after his death.
Each screening will be followed by a post-show audience discussion with Charmaine Simpson, founder of Black History Studies and Hakeem Kazeem, film maker, writer and host of the club and performance night Batty Mama, promoting queer black and brown bodies.
A programme of films exploring vital aspects of Black history and culture
The Lexi is proud to be partnered with Charmaine Simpson, founder and CEO of Black History Studies, for this immensely popular run of screenings. The events are lively and inclusive, with audience discussions exploring the film and the issues it raises, encouraging networking and inspiring debate. Everyone is welcome – but we suggest booking well in advance!
Previous screenings have included: The Amazing Nina Simone, Angela Davis: Portrait of a Revolutionary, Nanny of the Maroons, The Psychosis of Whiteness, Jamaica For Sale, Mama Africa, Hero, Resurrecting Black Wall St: The Blueprint and many more!
Please note: our Black History Studies screenings occur periodically throughout the year. Please keep checking back to find out when our next screening is scheduled!
Find out more about Black History Studies here:
https://blackhistorystudies.com/
A friendly film discussion group for seniors
If you’re over 60 – or just an old soul – this is the film discussion group for you. We screen a new movie from our main programme followed by an informal post-show discussion with a member of the Lexi team.
Bar open beforehand serving hot and cold drinks
Higher lighting levels on arrival | Tickets £5
1st Monday afternoon of every month
Enhance your cinema experience with filmmaker Q&As, in-depth introductions and lively discussions
At The Lexi we’re all about getting the most out of the movies. An expert introduction can place a familiar film in a whole new context, while a Q&A with one of the filmmakers might offer a valuable peek behind the scenes. Panel discussions allow us to explore the wider issues behind the film – and Lexi audiences are known for their informed and entertaining questions!
Past Lexi guests have included everyone from major players like Tom Hiddleston, Mark Rylance, Joanna Hogg and Chris Morris to a whole gallery of academics, critics, filmmakers and specialists, many of whom have introduced films in our unique Lexi Film School strand (link). In addition to our on-site Q&As we also regularly broadcast live-by-satellite Q&As and introductions.
Spend a year with Agnès Varda, at the Lexi in 2024 as we explore this visionary director’s remarkable body of work, spanning 7 decades.
Agnès Varda (1928–2019) made fifty-four films and installation works over her prolific career, from her first film in 1955, La Pointe Courte, to Varda par Agnès in 2019. We’re screening the 10 films that are available to cinema audiences in the UK. They represent a lifetime spent honing a distinctive filmmaking voice, and a pure love of cinema.
Each title will be introduced by Rosie, our Cinema Director and programmer, and tickets are just £8 (or £6 for members!). On Tuesdays, Lexi Members can also bring a friend for free.
A relaxed mid-morning movie screening for carers and babies
Parents, carers and family members: if you find yourself looking after a baby under 1 on a Monday morning, why not drop into our 11am “bring a baby” screening?
You’ll see a new film from our main programme, with the volume slightly lowered to protect sensitive ears. Babies tend to be mesmerised by the cosy glow of our fibre optic chandelier – but if they’re not, crying and vocalising is absolutely fine. Best of all, this is a tutting-free zone so you can feel free to get up and walk around as much as you need to during the screening.
Bar open and serving hot drinks from 10.30 | Screening starts 11.00 | Buggy parking at the front of the screen | Baby changing facilities are available in our unisex loo | Tickets £8 / £6
Audio Described screenings for visually impaired audience members
Our hearing loop has been upgraded to the Dolby Fidelio system, and we have headsets for customers to use in the auditoriums. You can also bring your own earphones if you prefer. Please ask for a device at the box office and let us know which screen you’re heading to so we can tune you in!
Unfortunately not all films will have Audio Description availaible. We will indicate if a film has Audio Description available at the bottom of the text on the film's page on our website, or ask a member of staff at the Box Office and they will let you know.
For more information, please visit our accessibility page.
Captioned screenings for D/deaf and hard of hearing audience members
We screen films from our main programme with Captions on a regular basis, for both adults and children who are Deaf or experience hearing loss. Screenings with captions will be marked as "HOH" next to the film's start time.
Captioned screenings are different to subtitled screenings as they provide a transcription of all of the audio from a film, displayed at the bottom of the cinema screen. Along with the dialogue from the film, the subtitles include non-dialogue audio such as “(sighs)” or “(door creaks)”.
Hearing Loop with a Hard of Hearing track
Our hearing loop has been upgraded to the Dolby Fidelio system, and we have headsets for customers to use in the auditorium.
The Hard of Hearing track has all the same audio as usual, just a little louder.
You can also bring your own earphones if you prefer. Please ask for this at the box office and let us know which screen you’re heading to so we can tune you in!
For more information, please visit our accessibility page.
Relaxed & autism-friendly screenings
We screen films from our main programme in a more relaxed environment, with better lighting and lower sound volumes.
We will indicate if a screening is a Relaxed/Autism-friendly screening by marking it as "RS" next to the film's start time.
For more information, please visit our accessibility page.