MOVIE buffs were in big screen heaven as Chester Performs opened the doors to Blacon Community Cinema.

For three days only Blacon High School’s main hall was transformed into a cinema, complete with popcorn, ice cream, ushers and even an interval.

Four films were chosen by the local community through a public vote and then shown over three days.

The films included the 1960 Billy Wilder classic The Apartment, 2004 cult comedy Napoleon Dynamite, the Japanese animation Ponyo and a family screening of award-winning French-British film The Illusionist.

The event also saw short films screened before the main feature including the Oscar-nominated short Guide Dog by Bill Plympton, a hilarious hand-drawn animation following a well meaning dog who tries too hard and ends up unleashing destruction and mayhem.

Leading up to the event, Chester Performs held a number of workshops with members of the local community including two sessions with the Blacon Youth Parliament.

The workshops covered all different aspects of putting on a film screening event including programming and marketing.

Participants were also invited to take part in the event by assisting with the box office, serving refreshments and ushering.

Chloe Young, one of the participants and a member of the Blacon Youth Parliament, said: “I enjoyed everything about it and learning more about film.”

The cinema formed part of Screen Deva, Chester Performs’ programme of film events and digital media projects.