Almost 600 residents helped choose the films for Bridgwater’s first-ever outdoor cinema at St Matthew’s Field on Saturday 12 September, with family favourites Sing and The Greatest Showman winning the public vote.
The selected films will be screened at 1.30pm and 4.30pm respectively, forming the centrepiece of a free afternoon of outdoor entertainment for the community.
Before each feature film, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy two short films celebrating Bridgwater’s rich history and heritage.
At 1.00pm and again at 4.00pm, audiences can watch Brick by Brick, a Somerset Film production directed by Archie Rowell and written by Helen Tompson. Created with the people who live and work in Bridgwater.
This will be followed by A Sketch of Bridgwater, created by Somerset Film’s Creative Director Deb Richardson. Originally screened at the Twilight event in October 2025, the film brings together historic drawings and photographs from the Blake Museum collection, enhanced through AI animation and accompanied by an original score by composer Jack Richardson. The short film also features local historian Mike Searle reading an abridged version of A Sketch of Bridgwater, a poem written in 1854 by Bridgwater resident George Parker. More than 170 years later, Parker’s words continue to reflect the character, resilience and enduring spirit of the town.
The event is free to attend, and residents are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket, camping chair or other outdoor seating and settle in for an afternoon of entertainment with family and friends.
Parking will be available on-site at St Matthew’s Field for £2 per vehicle. Visitors are asked to be considerate of nearby residents and make use of the designated event parking.