Movie & Mingle brings together hundreds of film buffs for screenings and socialising, creating a real-world community in a digital era.
The room buzzes with enthusiasm as a crowd of film buffs gathers, popcorn in hand, for another “Movie & Mingle” event.
It’s a private Halloween screening of Scream (1996) at All is Joy, Studio 1 in London. The seats fill up as anticipation builds.
The attendees expect more than just a movie, but a chance to build new connections. Once the movie ends, the mingling begins. There’s a game and a quiz about the movie, complemented by Halloween-themed cocktails.
This is not your usual film club. Created by friends Fiona Kehinde, 29, and Grace Kettle, 25, “Movie & Mingle” has grown into a community of over 800 members, offering a place for real-life interaction at a time when virtual relationships often replace face-to-face connection.
For Grace, a law graduate, film has been a lifelong love. Fiona, a psychiatrist-in-training, describes her relationship with film as an extension of her interest in mental health.
“Film is a form of escapism for me, and I see its therapeutic value,” she says. “Art and creativity help people heal, and I love taking lessons from film into my life.”
The community’s creation was born out of their shared interest in film. A casual viewing of Dune: Part 2 (2024) at the BFI IMAX cinema was the community’s first outing.
“We posted an invite on Instagram without any expectations,” says Grace. As a result, 10 people joined them, and after the film, everyone bonded with a quiz and bingo at the BFI bar.
“That night showed us how much people craved connection,” says Grace. Movie & Mingle events became a monthly staple from then on, each screening paired with social activities to turn strangers into friends.
Anyone can join, and it’s free. Movie & Mingle posts on TikTok and Instagram, where they have links for people to join their WhatsApp groups.
Once a member, you can participate in conversations, share content, or even network and collaborate on projects. Costs only arise when Fiona and Grace host an event, such as private screenings.
Ticket prices cover venue bookings and snacks. Film selections have no fixed theme. Events often revolve around new releases or member votes.
For the Halloween event, Fiona and Grace curated a list of classic horror films, and Scream (1996) attracted the most votes.
Managing this community is challenging, though. As full-time professionals, finding time to run events is a constant battle. Financial limitations are another problem.
“Keeping things affordable is difficult since our events are community-funded,” Fiona says. “Sometimes, venues help with costs, but it can be tough,” Grace adds.
“Most cinemas aren’t designed for socialising, so finding spaces where we can screen films and host social events afterwards can be challenging, especially when considering costs.”
Despite these setbacks, the community has continued to grow. A few of the members are now collaborating on a short film.
“The film industry is difficult to break into, and if our club can help members gain experience, we’ve succeeded,” says Grace.
Fiona and Grace are also ambitious. They hope to expand membership, to secure funding for future filmmaking projects, and to eventually organise summer film festivals. “We’d also love to get invited to special screenings or to serve as a test audience for studios,” says Fiona.
Reflecting on their journey, both women are amazed by the community they’ve built. “We never envisioned it would grow like this,” Fiona says.
Grace agrees, adding, “It’s heartwarming seeing new connections form and that even in the digital era, a shared love of film can create something real and lasting.”
All images courtesy of Fiona Kehinde & Grace Kettle.