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The Sheffield culture guide written by in-the-know locals

Nickel Boys

In 1960s Florida, Elwood Curtis, a young African-American boy is sent to the Nickel Academy after he is falsely accused of a crime. While at the reform school, notorious for the brutal treatment of its students, he meets a boy named Turner, and the two form a powerful friendship as they try to navigate the trials of the institution and its corrupt administrators.

Years later, a revelation about the horrors suffered by the Academy's students leads Curtis to recall this life-changing friendship.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead, director RaMell Ross (Hale County This Morning, This Evening) vividly brings the story to life through radical point-of-view cinematography, allowing the viewpoint of the characters and how they observe their surroundings to make us reconsider what history and experience consists of.

Book now: The Light / Showroom

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Sensoria

Thu. 2 October 2025 — Sun. 5 October 2025

Sheffield's festival of film and music. Expect a truly unique mix of performance, live film scores, screenings, exhibitions, and music industry activity.

Chloë Brown

An artist-filmmaker investigating the histories of post-industrial cities and amplifying voices that have traditionally been silenced.

What Does That Nature Say to You

Fri. 25 July 2025 — Thu. 31 July 2025

Showroom

A poet meets his girlfriend's family, spending a long day together fuelled by conversations on life. Acclaimed director Hong Sangsoo crafts a moving exploration of relationships, and the value of a life dedicated to art against material aspirations.

Film Unit

Nestled in the lower regions of the University of Sheffield Students’ Union, Film Unit is run by dedicated volunteer film fans, screening a programme packed with cult classics, the latest indies and crowd pleasers. Added bonus: tickets are £3!