Leading figures from the arts world have been invited to watch a vintage Cinerama film at the National Media Museum – one of only three venues in the world where specially-created films can be watched on the system.

The screening, organised by Bradford City of Film and the museum, is aimed at raising awareness of Cinerama and other film facilities in the city.

“It’s an opportunity for invited guests from the arts, cultural and tourism worlds to experience Cinerama with the hope that they will tell friends, family and other networks,” said City of Film director David Wilson.

“Our new digital version of Cinerama Holiday wowed a full Pictureville cinema audience in April, and has now replaced This is Cinerama as our regular Cinerama screening on the first Saturday of every month.

“This gives us a great opportunity to re-invigorate audiences for Cinerama films at the museum.

“We also recognise that there are many in Bradford who won’t have yet seen Cinerama and we want as many people as possible to see it.”

Cinerama is an ultra-wide film format created in 1952 to be the ultimate in immersive cinema.

It used three 35mm film strips to gather a huge quantity of information, to create a sharp, finely detailed image. These three films would then be projected onto a 146-degree curved screen to fill audiences’ field of vision.

The aim was to immerse the audience in their film experience, in much the same way as modern IMAX or 3D cinema.

Guests and members of the public are invited to watch Cinerama Holiday (U) at the museum on Friday, September 27, at 1pm.

Made in 1955, Cinerama Holiday was the second feature in the three-camera process, following the hugely popular This Is Cinerama.

The Cinerama Company had developed more mobile cameras, giving sequences like ski and bobsled runs through the Swiss Alps and a flight with the Navy’s “Blue Angels” more fluidity and excitement. The film focuses on two real-life married couples, one Swiss and one from Kansas, exchanging continents during a six-month vacation. Highlights include a Baptist church service in New Orleans, performances at nightclubs in Paris and Las Vegas, a ride on a San Francisco cable car and a French puppet show where the widescreen allows viewers to watch both the performance and the audience.

“Newly digitally re-mastered from its original camera negatives, Cinerama Holiday shines bright as a panorama that is breathtakingly colourful and sparklingly clear to hear,” said Mr Wilson.