New Cunard ship Queen Anne will show films in a pool area with a retractable roof as part of a three-year collaboration with the British Film Institute (BFI).
The partnership with the UK’s lead organisation for film, TV, and the moving image will see a curated programme of short films and blockbusters shown on the outdoor screen in The Pavilion on the 3,000-passenger ship which enters service in May.
The BFI will show ten films a month on the cinematic LED screen in the outdoor space. The specially selected films will also be shown in passenger cabins.
The multi-purpose Pavilion boasts a specially designed glass dome roof that retracts.
Cunard has also become a main sponsor of the 67th BFI London Film Festival, in partnership with American Express, which runs at venues across London, as well as in nine partner cinemas, on October 4-15, as well as next year and 2025.
A Cunard Gala on October 11 will support the European premiere of new US comedy-drama The Holdovers.
Cunard president Katie McAlister said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with the British Film Institute, with our shared dedication to providing immersive experiences aligning perfectly.
“We’re hugely proud of our long-standing affiliation with the silver screen, with some of Hollywood’s biggest names having sailed in style with Cunard – from Charlie Chaplin to Meryl Streep.
“As the first cruise line to host an on board film premiere with the launch of The Greatest Showman on Queen Mary 2 in 2017, we are incredibly passionate about the power of timeless storytelling.
“We have dedicated spaces for film enthusiasts across the fleet, and our new ship Queen Anne will boast even more big screen experiences for guests. Together with the BFI, we’ll strive to create unparalleled and unforgettable moments for film lovers.”
BFI executive director of fundraising and enterprise, Francesca Vinti, added: “We are thrilled to be working alongside Cunard on this partnership and are incredibly thankful for their support of the BFI and the BFI London Film Festival.
“We are excited to be able to reach audiences in new inventive ways with amazing films and look forward to collaborating with Cunard over the next three years.”