Free Cinema was a
documentary film movement that emerged in
England in the mid-1950s. The term referred to an absence of
propagandised intent or deliberate box office appeal. Co-founded by
Lindsay Anderson, though he later disdained the 'movement' tag, with
Karel Reisz,
Tony Richardson and
Lorenza Mazzetti. The movement began with a programme of three short films at the
National Film Theatre,
London on 5 February 1956. The programme was such a success that five more programmes appeared under the Free Cinema banner before the founders decided to end the series. The last event was held in March 1959. Three of the screenings consisted of work from overseas film makers.