28 Years Later North-East Gala Screening Lights Up Tyneside Cinema – Danny Boyle Brings Post-Apocalyptic Thrills to Newcastle

by Hannah Ross
The Tyneside
The Tyneside Cinema rolled out the black carpet for 28 Years Later, Danny Boyle's apocalyptic horror film that's had audiences both clutching the edge of their seats and sobbing uncontrollably.

Tyneside Cinema cemented its reputation as the North East’s home of great film (19 June 2025) when it hosted the official North-East Gala Screening of 28 Years Later. The black-carpet event welcomed Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle (28 Days Later) alongside rising stars Alfie Williams and Chi Lewis-Parry, turning the Grade II-listed picture-house on Pilgrim Street into a magnet for film-makers, fans and media alike.

Filmed in the North East, 28 Years Later is the newest chapter in Boyle’s ground-breaking apocalypse franchise. With Danny Boyle in attendance, Tyneside Cinema was the obvious choice to debut the film locally: an independent venue known for championing bold cinema since 1937.

True to its mission to “enrich lives by thinking differently about and through film,” Tyneside Cinema used the gala as a hands-on learning experience. Young creatives from the Young Women’s Film Academy (YWFA) interviewed Boyle and special guests, gaining real-world skills in presenting, sound recording and fast-turnaround editing.

The evening also previewed the cinema’s Tyneside Talent Unit, a development programme funded by The Sir Graham Wylie Foundation. The initiative offers 17- to 25-year-olds from working-class backgrounds mentoring, production facilities and industry networking.

 

 

Why Tyneside Cinema?

 

  • Historic Atmosphere: Experience the film in a beautifully restored, 1930s newsreel cinema.
  • Independent Spirit: Support a registered charity dedicated to diverse film culture and education.
  • Community Impact: Every ticket helps fund future programmes like the Tyneside Talent Unit and keep independent cinema alive.
  • Exclusive Perks: Sip special-edition cocktails and join post-screening discussions in the Bar Café.

 

If you’re looking to host an event from a large Corporate takeover to Screen Hire, The Tyneside Events Team can help.

 

About Tyneside Cinema

 

Founded in 1937, Tyneside Cinema is the North East’s leading independent cinema and a registered charity. Dedicated to screening the best new releases from the UK and beyond, it offers diverse film programmes, community education projects and heritage experiences within its Grade II-listed building.

 

 

If you’re a fan of film frights, make sure to check our our Horror at the Tyneside listings.