BFI IMAX

The cylindrical glass building on the Waterloo roundabout is one of those London landmarks people pass constantly without quite registering what happens inside. What happens inside is Britain's largest cinema screen — a 20-by-26-metre surface with projection and sound systems that make it one of the most advanced IMAX theatres in the world. And it's available for hire.

More Than a Cinema Screen

BFI IMAX operates as an event venue that happens to contain the UK's most powerful visual display. Film premieres are the obvious use — and the building has hosted launches for some of the biggest studios in the world — but the hire proposition goes much further. Product launches, brand experiences, conference keynotes, and awards ceremonies all gain from a screen that makes any content feel epic. Temporary stages can be set up in front of the screen, putting presenters in a setting that's closer to a TED stage than a conference room.

Two Event Spaces in One Building

The 497-seat auditorium handles the main programme, while the ground floor foyer provides 450-standing reception space or 200-seated dinner capacity. Full venue hire combines both, giving events a reception area, a world-class presentation space, and the architectural drama of the building itself. The BFI's events team manages everything from technical setup to catering coordination, with hybrid event capabilities built into the infrastructure.

A South Bank Landmark

Waterloo station is a minute's walk away, placing the venue at the centre of London's South Bank cultural quarter. The location works for international conferences — hotels, restaurants, and the Thames riverfront are all on the doorstep. For events that need visual impact at genuine scale, BFI IMAX delivers something no conventional venue can match.