In 1992, the newly-built Village Hall in Kilmersdon was keen to encourage community events. A questionnaire was sent to every house in the parish with suggestions of activities for the hall and asking villagers to vote.

‘Showing films in the hall’ polled the second-highest vote, after calls for an art group. Paul Schilling, Chairman of the South West British Federation of Film Societies SWBFFS, as it was, put on a taster film, Shine, in a room above the pub, where 46 people joined to view. Paul donated the £40 from the show, and the seeds of Reel People cinema group were planted.

In 2013, Reel People moved out of the village to the large, raked-seated Dragonfly Theatre at Writhlington School, with easy parking and a projection booth.

In September, the society are launching the start of a new season withTheodore Melfi’s 2016 film, Hidden Figures.

The film depicts the previously-untold story of three African-American women working at NASA, who served as the mathematical brains for the early US space missions during the Cold War and continuing racial segregation.

Screenings are open to non-members, and guest tickets can be obtained on the night. You can find the complete season’s programme online at: reelpeople.org.uk.

The screening takes place at the Dragonfly Theatre, Writhlington School, on Friday, 8th September. Doors open at 7 p.m, with the film being introduced at 7.45 p.m. A well-stocked bar is open drinks to be bought before the film, which can also be taken into the auditorium for the screening.