Q) Who can watch films at York Student Cinema?
Everyone! YSC welcome all University of York students, partners, visiting friends, members of the public, alumni, staff and children. You don’t have to be a member of the society to attend. ID may be requested for films rated 15 or 18 (Student ID will be accepted).
Q) How do I find YSC?
YSC operate from lecture theatre P/X/001.
Directions from campus: the Exhibition Centre is just across Central Hall Bridge and on the right. P/X/001 is at the other end of the building, just by the exit near YorkSU.
From town or the train station; the bus numbers U1 and U2 go to campus with a return costing £3. The closest stop to us is University Library. From this stop, head away from the hill, in the direction of Market Square (distinguished by several shops). Facing the shops, take the path down the left hand side until it reaches the lake, then turn left until you reach Central Hall (the spaceship looking building). Turn right past the entrance to Central Hall and head over Central Hall Bridge, and follow the above directions.
The bus number U3 also goes to campus from Merchantgate in the city centre. The closest stop to us is Newton Way. From here, head up the road towards YorkSU, then turn right and walk down the road into Exhibition Centre, where the cinema is.
By car; Our nearest car park is Campus West car park in James College. Looking towards The Roger Kirk Centre, turn right and walk down the road past YorkSU, and you should find yourself at the Exhibition Centre, where the cinema is.
Q) Can I buy tickets in advance?
Yes! You can buy online tickets here.
Q) How do I join YSC as a member and what do I gain?
Any student can become a member by finding us on the YorkSU website and paying the £5 membership fee. This entitles you to discounted tickets for all our screenings.
If you wish to be more involved in the society, feel free to come along to one of our weekly meetings at 18:15 every Monday. We will help you find which role suits you and introduce you to our other members. Helping out with screenings also entitles you to see that screening for free.
Our roles include front of house service, working on the refreshments stand, committee members, projecting with our digital projector, press and publicity, keeping our social media up to date and even running this website (hi!).
What do you get from back from YSC? The chance to see all our films for free, the chance to propose films for us to show, great experience to put on your CV, and great friends, as well as helping the society to develop in new directions.
Q) Can others organise socials with YSC?
We welcome any societies or outside clubs who wish to collaborate on a screening. If you want to partner with us to screen a film, get in contact via Instagram or email. We may be able to give discounts to members of your society! Please contact us well in advance to be sure we can fit your screening in.
PLEASE NOTE: Only our trained projectionists have access to our equipment. No-one not associated with the Society will be allowed to access our equipment. The small screen, computer sound and computer projector in P/X/001 are available for everyone to use.
Q) What technology does YSC use?
Our experience of technology since the 1960s has covered a range of cinema history. Currently, we use the same technology as any other leading Cinema: A Christie 2000 digital projector (acquired through generous donations from YuFund), Dolby Surround Sound speakers and a large Cinema Scope screen.
Q) How do YSC get their films so soon?
We operate in exactly the same manner as a typical cinema, the difference being that we are run by volunteers and any profit made is reinvested back into the cinema. Our films are all supplied by cinema distributors.
Q) Is YSC award-winning?
In 2014, York Student Cinema was awarded York Student Union’s Society of the Year after being nominated by our loyal members, not only that, but the 2015 committee won the Committee of the Year at the newly named, Love York Awards at the university. Over the years, YSC has won many awards from both YorkSU and the British Film Federation Society (BFFS), including Winner and Runner-Up for their award for Best Student Cinema on multiple occasions.
Q) When am I entitled to see a film for free?
There are two scenarios in which we offer free films to our customers/members.
- If a customer has gained a free ticket from a promotion or as a prize they will be given a physical “free pass” ticket to be presented to our front of house staff.
- Members of the cinema are entitled to watch, for free, any film that they are involved in running. Without our members running front of house, refreshments, and projecting, our cinema wouldn’t be able to operate.
If you have any other questions, recommendations or requests, please contact us at ysc@yorksu.org, and we will get back to you as soon as possible!