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Movie fans are being given the chance to get involved in a short film remembering one of Belfast’s best loved cinemas.

The Curzon, on the city’s Ormeau Road, is now an apartment block but holds a special place in the hearts of many people from the area.

And now a project is underway to raise funding for a “short documentary on people’s personal experiences of the Curzon”.

The Curzon Project is also to “recognise the importance of independent cinema and independent film makers”. Curzon branded t-shirts and prints are to be sold as part of the fund raising drive.

Sara Gunn-Smith, from cinema campaign group Film Hub NI, is one of those involved in the project along with graphic designer Paul McNally and coffee shop owner Orla Smyth. Sara will oversee the film’s production.

She added: “Film Hub NI are delighted to get involved with the Curzon Project as one of our aims is to celebrate the rich screen heritage we have here in NI, and to promote cinema as a platform to bring communities together.

“From a personal perspective The Curzon holds a special place in my heart as I grew up going there most weekends and it certainly shaped my love for film and going to the cinema. Everyone on the Road has a story to tell about the Curzon - from first dates, to special specific film memories and buying Rainbow Drops and other goodies in the shop with your pocket money.

“We want to bring that all together into a short documentary film and what better way to support independent film professionals in making the film than by selling original artwork in the form of tee shirts and prints to those who want a reminder of the glory days of the Curzon. With the driving force of Paul and Orla behind it, it’s going to be a great, great thing.”

The five screen Curzon was designed by John McBride Neill and opened in 1936. But it was demolished in 2003 to make way for a residential development.

The Curzon t-shirts and prints will be available (for a limited time) through Paul’s site Stylografik.com from April 5 - with a percentage of the profits going to local independent film makers to make the “short documentary on people’s personal experiences of the Curzon”.

A target of £3,000 has been set to make the film with the Project officially kicking off on Wednesday, March 22. On that day people are invited to come Orla’s Kaffe O from 8pm-10pm to “share special memories of the Curzon on film”. These clips will form part of the launch short film, before the main film is produced during June and July.

Organisers say you can also tweet @curzonproject or email projectcurzon@gmail.com with memories and old photos.