When founder and creative director Dominic Davies first hung a bed sheet in his garden for a DIY movie night, he had no idea it would grow into one of London’s most beloved cultural experiences. A decade later, Backyard Cinema has evolved into a full-blown immersive world — part cinema, part theatre, part adventure — with each season transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary worlds. This winter, audiences are stepping into an Enchanted Forest for Christmas at Backyard Cinema, a reimagined festive journey blending cabaret, snow and cinematic nostalgia. We caught up with Dominic Davies to talk creativity, community and keeping the magic of cinema alive in London.
Backyard Cinema has transformed how Londoners experience film. Can you take us back to the early days — how did a backyard project grow into one of the UK’s leading immersive cinema brands?
Well as the name suggests it actually started in my Back Garden. I built a screen out of bed sheets, hung festoons and so started a Summer of movie marathons. After a while it was costing me a fortune in Beers, burgers and popcorn and so I asked my mates if they wou,d make a donation and they all say, ‘absolutely not, we are not paying you to come to your garden’ So I thought, well I would try it in the market and see if people would pay to come and they did. From candle lit basements, to secret attics, breweries and eventually Camden Market, Winterville and beyond!
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Your upcoming Christmas at Backyard Cinema at London Bridge sounds magical — snow, cabaret, forests, and all. How did the concept for this year’s edition come to life?
It’s been a little while since we have had a Christmas show in London so I wanted to come back with something new and a bang. The big change and overall concept this year is the immersive part is free roaming hour long pre show where customers will get to choose how they experience it. You could spend it in the Christmas Cabaret room just enjoying a show, or exploring the Enchanted Forest or a bit of both, all before your film.
You’re known for turning spaces into cinematic worlds. What was the most exciting (or challenging) part of transforming a Victorian warehouse into an Enchanted Forest?
I love my indoor Forrests… anyone who has been to Backyard Cinema before knows that is my specialty and when those final elements of moss, bark and haze come into play. The Smell, the feeling of being somewhere totally otherworldly while in a central London warehouse is the best bit for me. Especially when people ask if they are outside! That is always a winning reaction!
Backyard Cinema has always been “more than just the movies.” How do you balance storytelling, theatre, and design to create something that feels truly immersive for your audience?
Unlike some other offerings we play a multitude of different movies in one setting, so whether that is a retro Miami Beach or an Enchanted Winter Wonderland we are trying to create the feeling you get from watching these classic movies brought to life. We want to first wow you with the setting and the music is a huge part. Our job is to create nostalgia at every turn and with this year’s additional free roaming element I think it’s going to be very special.
The event features everything from Elf to It’s a Wonderful Life. How do you curate the perfect festive line-up that blends nostalgia with a sense of discovery?
For most of us the slate is made up of movies we could probably recite word for word, some of these classic festive films are 30 years old. What is amazing to see, and shows they are classics is when people bring their kids to see Home Alone or Elf and they are loving it like we did the first time. It feels like quite the honour to be able to show someone Home Alone for the first time in this setting.
From the Christmas Cabaret Room to the carol-singing procession, Christmas at Backyard Cinema feels like a full-blown production. How involved are you personally in the creative direction and design process?
Well I have a fantastic team of creatives we have brought in to bring this production to life, from Music Directors, to Creative Directors and set designers. My job is to step back and think about the whole experience. Sure we have an amazing interactive pre show, cool bars and surprises but the whole thing is centered around the film and so as the Founder and previous Creative Director of Backyard Cinema I can now zoom out and look at the experience as one cohesive experience for everyone. 10 years of crazy cinematic adventures has given the perfect hands-on experience!
After nearly a decade, Backyard Cinema has become part of London’s cultural calendar. How do you keep reinventing the experience year after year without losing the magic?
Firstly that is very kind of you to say and the reaction to our return to London has been overwhelming. The pandemic has had a drastic effect on cinema in general and so my goal this year was to come back with a bang, not just a return but a reinvention.
Finally, what does Christmas at Backyard Cinema mean to you personally — and what do you hope audiences take away from this year’s journey through the Enchanted Forest?
Christmas at Backyard Cinema at Winterville 2015 was the first fully immersive show we put on featuring our famous wardrobe and forest tunnels so Christmas always has a nostalgic place in my heart. Even if it does mean having to listen to Christmas music in July to write the show!
We want people to leave feeling amazed, surprised and excited about cinema again. We want them to feel like their money was well spent in a sea of ‘immersive’ events. And everyone needs a little magic at Christmas.