Film fans can now enjoy screenings of both modern and classic films of all genres at the new Epping at the Movies monthly event, which aims to bring affordable screenings of a range of films to the local community.

The screenings will be held each month in Epping Hall, in St John’s Road next to the Epping Town Council building. The venue has tiered seating for up to 146 people and there is wheelchair access via a lift.

During the first screening Sunday, March 5, three films were shown throughout the day, including the 2016 adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic The Jungle Book, the 1959 film Some Like it Hot, which starred Marilyn Monroe and also the recent Doctor Strange, with Benedict Cumberbatch.

More than 300 people attended in total and Susie Evans-Frank, who set up the event, says that she was overwhelmed by the support she received from the local community.

As an avid film fanatic, she wanted to find an outlet to show different film genres and managed to organise a monthly event with Epping Town Council.

She explains: “Quite simply, because I love to watch movies in the cinema and I love Epping, I figured what better way to put something back into my favourite place, meet more local people and enjoy some films at the same time?

“After the initial conversations with the Town Council were successful, we organised our very first screening day on Sunday March 5 to show Doctor Strange.

“We were so happy with the audience response that we’re already planning the next few follow ups and hope to provide a regular screening offer from Autumn if all goes well.”

Susie is running non-profit organisation, so all the money made goes back into the running costs of our events, including the hall rental, film licensing, equipment hire and insurance. To help her get the project off the ground, Susie also had the support of an array of Epping organisations and businesses, such as The Heart of Epping, Epping Town Council, Amy Bramble Yoga, Aves Optometrists, Crofts Dental Practice and M&S Epping.

Two local caterers also provided refreshments during the first screening day and are expected to return to future screenings with their selection of snacks and drinks to keep the audiences refreshed during the screenings. The eateries included The Little Kitchen, a new café and deli in Epping High Street, and The Little Brown Shed, a specialist jerky supplier, which is based in Fyfield.

The next screening date is Sunday, April 30 at Epping Hall. The film titles have not been confirmed yet, but they are expected to be announced over the next two to three weeks.

Epping At The Movies, Epping Hall, St John’s Road, Epping, CM16 5JU, details: eppingatthemovies.org or facebook.com/eppingatthemovies