Spotlight: Rialto Film Club

We recently invited Brian Merriman (pictured above with our film projector in our training room) to tell us a little bit more about ‘Rialto Film Club’ and his involvement in St. Andrew’s Community Centre.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to approach St Andrew’s Community Centre for a room?
I have been collecting DVD/Blu-Ray/UHD discs since the 1980's, enhancing my home cinema experience through the decades and accumulating a good collection of movies. Rialto has a history of local cinemas (The Leinster & Rialto Cinema) from the 1930's until the 1980's. Now because of streaming services, the enjoyment of watching movies locally and with friends has diminished. Therefore, I wanted to organise a Film Club in collaboration with St. Andrew’s Community Centre to encourage local people to meet and enjoy the experience.

Tell us more about the activity you run and who it’s for.
The RFC is for local people who are linked through the WhatsApp Group. Each month a movie is selected by the group for viewing on the second Monday of each month.

How has it been going so far?

RFC started in April & May 2024 when I organised 2 movies in St. Andrew’s. The support for the Film Club has now extended into two full seasons from Sept to May 2004 & 2025. 

How can someone get in touch with you?
Membership is by contacting me through WhatsApp (087-799-5067) with new members added to the RFC Group. The Film Club is solely for people wishing to attend screenings and not for social media purposes.

 
Lastly, do you have an interesting or inspiring fact you’d like to share with us?
Part of my movie collection includes Betamx & VHS tapes and machines, never throw anything away, it will become useful someday.