Black History Month Open-Air Cinema is back!

Join us at The Belham Primary School for the return of our famous silent open-air cinema event featuring screenings of Princess & The Frog, Hidden Figures, Cool Runnings, Little Mermaid (Live Action), and Black Panther. Relax on our cosy inflatable seats and deck chairs and enjoy the films on a stunning LED screen played via headphones. Come along and be part of our vibrant community celebration!

Our BHM silent open-air cinema is a unique outdoor cinematic experience. The audio will be transmitted through wireless headphones instead of traditional speakers. This creates an immersive and personal viewing experience, as each attendee can control their own volume and enjoy high-quality sound directly in their ears.

A range of food and drinks will be available to purchase on the day.

All proceeds go to Friends of the Belham (registered charity no. 1168767) to enhance the education and experience of all pupils at the Belham.

Screening Schedule  

Saturday, 10th October

Princess & The Frog (97 minutes, PG): 10.00am - 11.40am

Get ready for a magical trip to New Orleans with Disney's The Princess and the Frog! This film introduced the world to Tiana, the first-ever Black Disney princess, a hardworking young woman with a big dream of opening her very own restaurant. When a mischievous frog prince asks for her help, a kiss turns Tiana into a frog too, and the pair set off on a colourful, music-filled adventure through the Louisiana bayou.

Along the way, Tiana teaches us that dreams really can come true with determination, kindness and hard work. With toe-tapping jazz songs and a story full of heart, The Princess and the Frog is a wonderful celebration of ambition and self-belief, perfect for reminding everyone that anyone can achieve their dreams no matter where they start.

Hidden Figures (121 minutes, PG): 1.00pm - 3.05pm

A story that is on the Year 5 curriculum at The Belham, Hidden Figures shines a light on three brilliant African-American women, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, whose mathematical and engineering expertise helped launch NASA into space during the height of the Space Race. In an era marked by segregation and deep racial and gender inequality, these women broke barriers in science, technology, and society.

Their contributions were critical to some of the greatest technological achievements in American history, yet their names remained largely unknown for decades. This film not only celebrates their extraordinary talent and perseverance but also confronts the systemic challenges they overcame—reminding us of the power of representation, and the importance of continuing the work toward equity and inclusion in every field. These women were not just part of history—they helped shape it.

Cool Runnings (94 minutes, PG): 5:30 pm - 7:15

A story that reminds us how courage, determination, and pride can break boundaries in the most unexpected ways, Cool Runnings is inspired by the true story of the first Jamaican bobsled team to compete in the Winter Olympics. At first glance, it’s a feel-good comedy filled with heart and humour. But at its core, it’s a story about perseverance in the face of doubt, stereotypes, and adversity.

The Jamaican athletes in Cool Runnings were told they didn’t belong on the ice, that people like them, from a tropical island with no snow, had no place in the Winter Games. But with vision, teamwork, and unshakable pride in their identity, they not only made history, they reminded the world that Black excellence knows no limits—not of geography, expectation, or imagination. Whether in sports, science, art, or any field, Black trailblazers continue to defy odds and open doors for future generations.

Peace, pride, and power—just like the team from Jamaica. Let’s enjoy the ride.

Sunday, 11 October

The Little Mermaid (135 minutes, PG): 10 am- 12:15

Dive beneath the waves with the live-action version of The Little Mermaid, starring the wonderful Halle Bailey as Ariel! This retelling brings the beloved story to life with dazzling underwater visuals, glorious music and a mermaid princess who is curious, brave and determined to explore a world beyond her own.

Halle Bailey's performance has been praised for bringing warmth, strength and a beautiful voice to this classic character, showing audiences everywhere that mermaid princesses can look like anyone. It's a story about curiosity, courage and following your heart, wrapped up in stunning songs and spectacular scenery.

Black Panther (134 minutes, 12A): 3 pm - 5.15

The film that became a cultural milestone. More than just a superhero movie, Black Panther broke barriers in Hollywood, redefined representation in film, and offered a bold vision of Black excellence, leadership, and innovation. Set in the fictional African nation of Wakanda, untouched by colonisation and thriving with advanced technology and deep cultural roots, the film presents a powerful narrative of what could be, a reimagining of African identity not shaped by oppression, but by power, pride, and possibility.

Black Panther invites us to engage with complex themes of identity, diaspora, responsibility, and liberation. It honours the past while imagining a future where Black stories are centred, celebrated, and limitless. Wakanda may be fictional, but the pride, brilliance, and strength it represents are very real.